The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1898-06-15
DEBATE IN THE HOUSE
Old Straw Threshed By Grosvenor
and Others.

Washington, June 14.-Referring to
this as flag day, the chaplain of the
house prayed that the influence of the
flag upon the country might be infiu-
entail TO the end of increased strength
and glory for the country.
| A few private bills were disposed of
and the Hawaiian debate proceeded.
Mr. Grosvenor (Rep. o., was recog-
nized first and said the pending ques-
ton was not one for party politics and
he would not appeal to any of his Re
publican colleagues who might oppose
annexation to go contrary to their con-
victionS and support annexation as a
party project.
Arguing for the conStitutionality of
the proposed annexation, he contended
the power was given to congress in the
general welfare" clause of the con-
stitution. Replying to the claim that
Hawaii is unnecessary as a naval or
commercial point in Pacific transit be-
cause Unalaska, on the Aleutians. now
American possession, is a route 500
miles shorter than the Honolulu route
Mr.. GroSvenor presented a letter from
Commodore Melville, in which he said,
while the Unalaska route was the
shorter, the dense and long continued
fogS the ice foes and storms at and
merce in the Aleutians made the north
ern route unsafe and improbable for
merchants and passenger ships.
Proceeding he touched lightly the
suggestion that American labor, with
its vigor, intelligence and energy, would
be affected by the slight competition
which it would meet at the hands of
the Asiatics in the Hawaiian islands.
Mr.. Grosvenor said he advocated the
resolutions upon a ground entirely sep
arate from any war emergency. He saw
in the near future a wonderful develop
ment in the commerce Of the east and
in order to provide for the western part
of the country to secure just and pro-
ftable share in that wealth of COM
merce, this half way house upon the
highway Of the Pacific" was essential
The member was eloquent in his de-
fence of the Hawaiian people against
charges of ignorance and barbarity, and
referred in terms that brought general
applause to the attitude of that repub-
lie in ignoring all neutrality law and
out against the world to give
American soldiers a resting place in
order that they might go on to victory
at Manila. He denied that the intelli-
gent natives of Hawaii were opposed to |
RICHARDSON'S OPPOSITION.
Mr.. Richardson Dem. Tenn.), follow !
ed in opposition to the pending meas |
ure, laying down the general PROPOSE |
ton that only self interest should be |
considered in contemplating any step |
the government, and from
hat point of view alone would he treat |
Mr.. Richardson said he
was a firm believer in the Monroe doc
rine and wanted its integrity to be
preserved, but he was convinced that
would be a step that would
md enavoidably in the abandonment
# the doctrine.
AN ANNEXATION DEMOCRAT.
Mr.. Cochran Dem. MOI, in a
speech replete with comparisons with
policies of the countries of Europe ar
Sued in advocacy of colonization, not
f conquest. Failure to annex these is
ands, Mr.. Cochran said, would be to
invite war, for in five years, left to the
resent condition of population, the
government of Hawaii would be revo-
utionized and in five years the country
iven over to pagan control. The Phil
npine islands formed an entirely diff
srent proposition, and he protested Wig
rously against the foisting of that pro- ;
osition at this time to strangle a
ighteouS issue.
Mr.. Pearce Rep. Mo-, disputed the
!
marked the beginning of policy of J
contemplated by this coun- {
~ anywhere. He announced that if I
ne question were brought up in con- {
ress, he would vote for territorial {
overnment there.
Mr.. Howard dem. Ga-), in a speech
more than an hour, opposing
ne resolutions, elaborated on the prin-
ipal arguments advocated by the OPP {
osition and devoted much time to a !,
areful review of American diplomatic
elations with Hawaii. He denominated
lie dominant government in Hawaii as
government of sugar, for sugar and
Y sugar"
Mr.. Sulzer Dem. N. ", and Mr.. {
hamilton (Rep. Mich.), in brief a
1eeches supported annexation. e
Mr.. Shafroth (Sil. Rep. Colo), con-
uded the afternoons debate. He OPP e
1sed the resolutions.
At Sis a recess to s o'clock was
ken