The Hawaiian gazette., 1897-05-28
WAS PREMATURE
Under HOlS3 RllGS Time Not
Ripe for Hawaiian Matters.
INDICATIONS OF COMPROMISE
Opinion Of Eastern Pa.
pers Changed.
Vote On Pearl Harbor Amend
ment Not an Index to Fate
OF Annexation.
INDICATIONS OF COMPROMISE

WASHINGTON, May 12.-The con-
dition Of the tarin bill increases the
anger Of Republican legislators, Be
tween a waiting nation and angry con
sriuents. Congressman are between
the devil and the deep sea. The policy
of The leaders is TO compromise and
fix up the tariff rates, if it can be done,
and let members 90 home.
Mr.. King, Democrat from Utah, q
very able young man, introduced an
annexation measure in the House. 1t
was rejected with derisive cheers. Il
was his own measure, and was done Of
his own motion. The impatient mem
bers are anxious to present bills, i'm
portanr 20 their own constituents, but
Speaker Reed. with q majority behind
him. utterly refuses 10 permit il. He
viii not even. in accordance with the
rules. appoint the usual committees
To present the Hawaiian matter, IN
der such circumstances. invites anger
and opposition. Let it take its time.
they say. If the Hawaiian interest is
iupOrtunate there viii be hostility.
clause in the treaty is in regular order.
and has its place. The dispatch to the
New York Sun OF May 9Th. stating that
the planters generally are looking into
white labor. eXcites interest among
those who have time 10 inform them
selves on the subject. Had the move
uent been made some years ago it
would greatly assist in maintaining the
reciprocity treaty.
Ii is now well understood that the
action OF the Senate Committee. in
striking out the reciprocity clause in
the tariff bill. was not q deliberate act.
At the same time. It seems 10 be evil
dent that. while the planting interest
has been quietly nodding during the
last three years. the opposition has
been quietly working and organizing.
II has at its fingers ends all the facts.
figures and condition Of the sugar in
terest
The argument which this opposition
rather avoid is the political argument.
II. therefore, says little on this point.
and confines itself 70 the statement
that Hawaii has the best OF the bar
gain.
There are indication that the Spreck-
les interest and the sugar beet interest
OF California would prefer a compro-
mise. the decrease Of the benefits to
Hawaii. not the absolute abrOgation
Of the treaty. The opposition. so far
as California is concerned. does not
dare 10 injure the f7ourishing trade
with Hawaii. but would modify it.
The Western Senators and members
Of the House seem TO be free from the
conservatism Of the Eastern men. They
have lived az q distance from Wash
ingtOn City. and do not show as much
respect for the traditional policy as
the men in the East. who inherit very
conservative ideas regarding the ter
ritorial limits Of the United States.
The discussions in the Eastern "a
pers Of the tariff bill indicate a great
change Of opinion regarding the rate
Of duties. The manufacturers Of Penn
sylTauia are decidedly in favor Of mod
crate tariffs, as it permits foreign
trade Large quantities of foreign
chemicals are used in manufacturing.
II the price Of these is increased
through an increased tariff rate. it
viii enhance cost and limit EXPORT. The
tariff bills Of the future will be the
outcome Of practical experience. and
not the result Of specuIations and
guesses by legislators and laymen.
The immediate demand Of revenue.
however. viii result in a crude and I'M
satisfactory law.
The debate in the House. yesterday.
on the appropriation for Pearl Harbor
NAV or may not be significant. The
Republicans who spoke In favor of II,
spoke with some earnestness. but when
the vote was taken. some Of them step
ped out into the lobby and did not
vote The impression seemed 10 be
that the making OF the appropriation
committed the House 20 future appro-
prtations, and that the plan was pre-
mature. Mr Hit carefully avoided
the subject Of annexation. but stated
that the grant OF the exclusive right TO
Pearl Harhor was an absolute grant,
for which the sum OF 500. 600 900 had
been paid in advantages under the
treaty. These are serious words from
one nf the best friends OF reciprocity
and annexation. But Mr. Hitt may not
be understood. He believes that the
United States. as the owners OF the
right should now take q step In ah-
vance and secure a foothold AT once.
because there can be. he believes. no
doubt about the right. II there we're
doubts he could not advise appropri-
arions until the matter Is settled
Reciprocity and annexation. he holds
are separate matters This course. he
believes, is In the interests OF Hawaii
While there we're indications OF
some division on party lines. Il APP
pears that the vote was not strictly
party question. On the whole. Il
would be premature 70 take this vote
as straw showing the direction OF
the Congressional wind The fact
must, also, be considered that there
were less than half the members OF
the House present at the voting.
The Evening Star OF this city. has
finally determined to fight the Sugar