The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-06-15
DEBATE IN THE HOUSE.
The Hawaiian Question Discussed for
Eight Hours.


WASHINGTON June o14.-Eight hours
comprising afternoon and evening sessions
of the House, were devoted to debate of
the Newlands resolutions for the annexation
of Hawaii. Twenty speeches were deliv-
cred, most of them being brief. A vote will
be taken at o'clock tomorrow afternoon,
and in order to give time for speeches
which members desire to make the House
agreed to meet at 10 o'clock tomorrow
morning. The resolutions. according to es-
Inmates to-day, will receive; with the excep-
ton of not more than twelve. al. Republican
votes, and will enlist, the, support of from
fifteen to twenty Democrats and members
of other parties.
Referring to this as Flag day the chap
lain of the House, at the opening of the
session, prayed that the influence of the
flag the children might be beneficial to
the end or increased strength and glory for
the country.
A few private bills We're disposed of and
the Hawaiian debate. proceeded, Mr.. Gros-
venor was recognized first. Arguing for
the constitutionality of the proposed annex
ation he contended the power was given TO
Congress in the genarai4 welfare clause of
the Constitution. Replying to the claim
that Hawaii is unnecessary as a naval or
commercial point in Pacific transit because
Unalaska, in the Aleutians, now American
possessions, IS a route. $50 miles shorter than
the honolulu route. Mr. @IrOSV6nOr pre-
sented a letter from Commodore. Melville
in which he said that while the Unalaska
route was the shorter the dense and long
continued fogs ard. ice foes and storms
at and off UnalaSka and the absence of
commerce in the Aleutians made the north
ern route unsafe and Improbable for mer-
chant and passenger Ships ogw
Proceeding. Mr.. .GrOSWepor treated lightly
the suggestion that American labor with its
Vigor, intelligence md energy, would be
affected by the slight competition with
at fhn hQn of gi-
atics in the Hawaiian islands. Mr. Gros-
Venor said he advocated the resolutions
upon q ground entirely separated from any
war emergency. He saw in the near future
a wonderful development in the commerce
of the East, and in order 7to provide for the
western part of the country to secure a
just and profitable share in that wealth of
commerce this wayhouse upon the high
way of the Pacific was essential. The
Ohio member was eloquentain- his defense
of the Hawaiian people against charges Of
ignorance and barbarism and referred in
terms that brought generous applause to
the attitude of the island republic in viola,t-
ing all neutrality law and standing out
against the world to give American soldiers
resting place in order that they might
go on to victory at Manila. He denied
that the intelligent natives of Hawaii were
opposed to annexation.
Mr. Richardson (Dem., TENN followed
in opposition to the pending measure, laying
down the general proposition that only self
interest should be considered in contem-
plating any step affecting the government.
treat annexation. He said the proposition
involved grave questions of constitutional
ity, and, aside from that, it invoved wide
departure from long established policy
laid down by Washington and other found
ers of the Republic Mr.. Richardson said
he was firm believer in the Monroe doc
trine and wanted its Integrity to be pre-
served. but he was convinced that anneXa-
ton would be a step that would end un-
avoidably in the abandonment of the doc
trine. He looked on the annexation of Ha-
wall the initiation of pOlicY of colonial
establishment, though such purpose was
disavowed by supporters of the resolution.
but he would offer an amendment declaring
expressly a congressional dtSaVOWal of any
purpose 70 reach out further; Denying
that the islands were defensive necessity,
he said such necessity could not exist now
and would not until the government had
launched on territorial expansion and re-
suting international -entanglement. Con-
Guiding. Mr.. Richardson spoke of the prob
able injury to American labor that would
competition. His argument against a colon
ial policy was applauded.
Mr.. Cochran (Dem., Mo. }. in a speech re-
plete with comparisons with policies of the
countries of Europe, argued in advocacy of
colonization, not of conquest. Conditions
long ago did not seem to demand annexa-
ton. but they are far different now, and
if not accomplished before the treaty of
peace with Spain the issue will confront us
after and always until the. issue is met.
said. would be TO invite. war, for in five
years, left TO the present. condition of popu-
lation, the government OF haWan would De
revolutionized and in five years the country
given over to pagan control. The Philip
pine islands formed an entirely different
rsP0s he fosng OF tha az
this time to strange a righteous issue.
Mr.. Pearce lRep., Mo- disputed the con-
tention that Hawaiian annexation marked
the beginning of policy of colonization
contemplated by this country anywhere. He
announced that If the question were
brought up in Congress he would vote for a
territorial government there.
Mr. Howard Dem. Gao. in speech oc-
! cupying more than an hour opposing the
| resolutions elaborated the principal argu-
| ments advanced by the opposition and de-
voted much time TO careful review OF
| American diplomatic relations with Hawaii
| He denominated the dominant government
| in Hawaii a the government of sugar. fol
sugar and by sugar" His speech received
| the closest attention and was interrupted
| frequently by applause.
| Mr.. Sulzer Dem, N. W and Mr.. Hamil
| ton (Rep. Mich), In brief speeches. sup
| norted annexation. Mr., Shafroth (silver
COLI concluded the afternoons debate HI