The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-02-02

ton that controlled the Hawaiian islands
would command the key to the Pacific and
would take them. and II necessary fortify
them for the purpose of making sure of its
position in this important trade. Plat said
the sugar trus, was opposed 10 annexation.
lie said there We're certain parties, whom
he did not name, who were supposed to he
Identified with the trust, who had a griey-
ance against the present government OF
the Islands. and he alleged that they were
using ali the means at their command to
preevnt the acquisition of that country By
the United States. He said that money was
being used 10 this end. He did not charge
however that there was any effort to
corrupt congress, but he thought that some
interests had been unduly Influenced. He
urged upon the senate the Importance OF
not giving ear TO the representations of the
trust. and said that. on the contrary the
United States should extend the hand OF
brotherhood To the sister republic OF the
Pacific, which was SO anxious to join us.
lie spoke Of the men constituting the pres
ent Hawaiian government, and said condi-
lions were such that we took no risk what
ever in entering upon an alliance with
them.
At tire conclusion of his address. Platt
was generally congratulated on the logical
theory of his argument
Pettigrew took the floor as soon as Platt
had concluded devOting himself especially
70 replying TO the Connecticut senator's re-
marks concerning the present government
Of the island lie made a careful analysts
or the constitution under which the Dole
government exists show ed that IL had been
adopted by what he termed an Illegal con
ssitutional convention. composed. he said
Of nineteen members. one Of whom was
Mr.. Dole. who had been a member Of the
committee CT safety which played such
prominent part during the revolution. and
OF eighteen other delegates. He argued
that while these latter delegates had been
elected by what vas called popular vote
such was not the case. OF "a .o0o persons
entitled 70 suffrage. he asserted that only
41to had voted fer them. This convention
CT thlrty-Seven persons thus chosen had
adopted the constitution. and 1t had never
been submitted 10 a popular vote Petti-
grew dwelt upon the fact that Dole had
been A member Of this movement. and said
that gentleman had practically arranged
matters 80 as - insure his holding the Of
fee Prominently. Pettisrew read tho con-
stitution 30 show that Dole was named in
* FOR president, and that It provided that
he should remain IN that office until fgeo
o. until his successor should be elected
The successor was 20 DE chosen by the
house and senate. sitting together. and
there was to he no election until ne r.
ce.yed a ms ority OF the votes OF the sen
are tctt&frN taen attempted 20 show
how the matter was practically in the con-
troi of Mr.. Dole ard the sugar grawe-.
According 90 the terms o. the constitution
3 senator must possess s.. 0se worth Of ,,roF.-
cry or have an income Of 81. 20 per year
end person not worth 81 - in
taxable real estate or who had
rat an income Of Seoo was dis
franohised from voting for sena-
tor. THIS qualification practi ally. he said
shut out All persons except those connected
with the s8ssr Industry fran either b.
coming senators or from voting Tor eena-
,ofs. Re held that IN view Of the facts
mentioned. the present government was
practically a monarch Pettigrezx also
took 40 t1s contention that the Hawaiian
Islands we're already practically approprl.
atea and producing and Argued that u
sueex the Islands would mean che inev,-
faole destru cfieH 0f TIE beet sugar indus.
try - tAe Unitea State
White os California also spoke in orsro-
siti8n 70 ratification of the treaty. Ills
VAS in tAe main constitutional argument
20 Sow teaE tae annexation of TERRITORY
Naich would require a navy 10 defend II
bad been fEeT TIRE beginning exposed 10
osir Theory 90 government He quoted ex-
trns.Telv from the works q Thomss JET
Ie~san 20 show 1ha; he had never eoute-n-
patsd tAe acquisition ot territory situated
as weve tse Hawaiian islands where 9
neet would BE- necessary - their r-s.ec-
f8aa- Thts remark Gid nor arrtv "a cuba
hoWeTer. whsch wes - near auv owu coast
eszsrel and protection Waite also READ