The National tribune., 1898-01-20
DOINCS OF CONGRESS.
Abstract of the Important Proceedings
in Both Houses.

In the Senate on Jan. II, most of the
executive session time was occupied by
Senator Davis, Minnesota, in speech
in support of Hawaiian annexation. Mr..
Davis is Chairman of the Senate Commit
tee on Foreign relations.
Among other things he referred to the COM
mercial and military Importance of the
islands to this country, reviewed their
history and said:
''In view of all the aspects which the
case presents the United States cannot
afford either in it's own interests or in the
interests of the Hawaiian people, to allow
this opportunity To gain control of them to
pass. Suppose we should not ratify the
present treaty, could we consistently CON
tinue to exercise the right to prevent other
nations from assuming the control which
we decline TO take?
He said that while he did not believe 1T
to be the purpose OF any one that the is
lands should constitute State oil the
Union, he would not attempt 10 say cny-
thing that would bind future Administra-
tons in this matter.
One point which Mr. Davis dwelt upon
at considerable length was the desirabIlity
of these islands not only to this country,
but to all the leading powers of the world.
In the House the debate on the Civil
Service system was brought to n sudden
close. Mr.. Moody (R.. Mass.) in charge
Z,
preparation bill, moved that all debate on
the civil service paragraph be closed at
O'Clock. Much opposition was mani
tested. but the steering committee of the
Republican opponents of the Civil Service
law had agreed to this program. The mat
ter was put to vote and the Speaker voted
AYE" on Il tie. The debate was of the
same character as hitherto, and the bill
was reported to the House. 1t was then
discovered that those who desired to vote
to strike out the appropriation for the civil
Service Commission had neglected to make
the motion in Committee of the Whole. NO
vote. therefore, could be taken and the
bill was passed without division.
In the Senate, Jan. II, Mr.. Davis con
tinued his Hawaiian speech One of the
points made was 10 the probable effect
on the Nicaraguan canal of the occupation
of the islands by some foreign power. He
showed that Hawaii was in u straight line
between the western terminus of the canal
and Japan and China. The Nation, he
said, which controls Hawaii will control
that great gateway of commerce, as the
guns pointed upon Hawaii would be pointed
directly at the mouth of the canal
He also devoted very careful attention to
the importance of controlling Pearl HarbOr.
Senator Allen lNeb., P.) replied briefly in
opposition.
In the House, an urgent deficiency bill
carrying LA, Si3 was passed. An item
authorizing a further expenditure of $780,
600 for the Soldiers Home at Danville, ILL.,,
for which S150,000 was appropriated in the
last sundry civil bill, was used by Mr.. De
Almond 3D., MOI as a basis for a bitter
personal attack upon Chairman Cannon,
whose home is at DanviIle. He charged
the Chairman of the Appropriation Com
mittee with having used his powers and
position to secure the location of the Home
at Danville.
Mr.. Cannon, in reply, called Mr.. De Ar
mOnd common scold, who would have
been ducked under the town pump had he
lived in the old days. The House, by
vote of 1913 to "a, sustained the appropria-
ton.