The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1897-06-30
Such Is the Unanimous
Verdict of the Chamber
, Of Commerce.
A Memorial to Congress Is
Adopted and Consigned
to the Mail.
The Members Meant Business, Wasted
No Time in Talk and Voted
Solidly.

The Chamber of Commerce proclaimed
itself yesterday as being in favor OF the
annexation ofthe Hawaiian group.
The mem bsrs of that body went there
determined not to have it said that there
was a solitary dissenting voice among
them, and they had their wish. There
was not a word of discussion when the
business of the day was announced. a
stout resolution, embodying the senti-
ments of the body, was presented and
adopted, and the officers were directed to
memorable Congress.
Upon opening the meeting President
Hugh Craig called attention to the fact
that since the last annual meeting of the
chamber five of its honored mem bers-A.
Y. Trask, Hiram Tubbs, A. L. Tubbs, E
D. Heatley and James Sennett - had
passed over to the silent majority, and he
said 1t was BETTING that resolutions OF
respect should be adopted. This was
accordingly done. A resolution was also
adopted thanking William NJ. Bunker for
the faithful discharge of mis- duties in dis
bulsing the Balboa Boulevard fund.
The Hawaiian matter was then broached.
President Craig said that the proposition
OF the annexation of the islands was a
Coast particularly, and to the Nation
generally. 1t was both political and
commercial necessity. There was no oc-
casion, lie said, for any delay in the mat
ter, and he suggested that Congress be
appealed to IN a manner that would leave
no room for doubt as to the sentiments of
the people on this western shore.
Captain w. F. Chapman then arose and
offered the following memorial:
SAN Fp AN-CTsrO lima 90 1907
To the Honorable Senate ana House Ct Repre-
seRtdtiUes, the FUty-ffth Congress, Washington,
D. C.: Your memorlalistS, citizens OF the Pa
clhc Coast OF the United States, respectfully
but urgently petition your august body for
the prompt annexation of the Hawaiian re-
public. While it is true that Pacific Coast in
terests demand 1t, we respectfully plead for
Hawaiian annexation on the broader ground
OF National policy, prestige and commercial
necessity. We protest against the possibility
OF this great stronghold IN mid-Pacifc being
permitted Occupati on by any foreign power as
a constant menace to our country.
Every consideration OF patriotism, National
safety and commercial interest demands
prompt territorial annexation. If we object
to Hawaiian annexation we should consist
emily cede AIasks to Great Britain. But we
are confident that every intelligent Ameri-
can unbiased by prejudice or personal inter-
est VIII support the policy of the administra-
ton in the annexation OF this friendly island
republic, which has these many years sought
to Re incorporated with the American Nation
As political and commercial necessity we
also pray that the United States Government
viii aid and facilitate the connection by cable
of the Pacific Coast with this splendid new
territory.
Confident in the wisdom and patriotism of
our countrymen in Congress assembled, we
subscribe ourselves, your fellow-citizens the
Chamber of Commerce of San Francisco.
Attest: HUGH CRAIG, President
WILLIAM L MERRY,
Secretary and Treasurer.
Secretary Merry had prepared lengthy
statement, setting forth the advan tages
that would result from annexation, but it
was deemed that the memorial suffi.
GENTLY covered the ground and was less
cum bersome, so the secretary's effort was
not presented.
The memorial was unanimously
adopted, after which an immediate ad-
journment wat taken. The NEE ting did
not consume five minutes.