The times., 1898-06-22
.TALk|iG AGAINST HAWAII
MIR. White and MIR. Mitchell De-
liver Long Speeches.
NO QUORUM MAINTAINED
The Senate Eyfnoes Little Interest
or WatchfuIness and Members Re-
fuse to Remain i'm Their Seats
Mr.. Morgan Protests AGAINST an
Alleged state Department Paper
The Arguments.

The opponents OF the annexation of the
Hawaiian Islands occupied the entire
time of the Senate yesterday. The inter-
est and watchfulness which character
lied the actions of botn SIDES on the
previous day were conspicuous by their
absence and Notwithstanding several roll
calls 1t was impossible to keep senators
in their seats. There We're no questions
or. cross-fire of debate and the speakers
We're allowed to pursue the even tenor OF
their way uninterrupted and unmolested.
Mr. White in a speech which lasted for
three and one-half hours gave the first
instalIment of his reasons why the reso-
lutions should not pass. He still has the
floor and will resume his argument today.
Mr.. Mitchell took the floor Immediately
after the session was called TO order and
read a carefully prepared speech against
annexation. dealing with the subject in
rather humorous manner. He dwelt at
some length on the physical features of
the Islands, describing the characteristics
of the natives and the irresistible ten
dency TO fall into their indolent and in
dulgent customs which seized and grew
upon the white man who made his home
among them. He declared that the ISL
ands offered no attraction to the Ameri-
can ia6orer or mechanic as the principal
product of the. soil was sugar and the
coolie labor defied competition in that
line.
Hawaii is farther from anywhere else
than any other spot on earth,' said Mr.
Mitchell - E5lIt IL thar n iG
tance that lends enchanrment TO the
view ,.
At the conclusion of Mr. MitcheTs
speech Mr.. Jones of Arkansas suggested
the absence of a quorum. as there were
very few senators in their seats. The call
brought out seventy-four senators.
Mr.. White of California who is consid-
cred The heavyweight OF the opposition TO
annexation, then took the floor. A map of
the world and an enlarged map of the
Hawaiian Islands were then put in posi-
ton at the rear OF the chamber, a large
number of law books were piled on Mr..
Whites desks and he was evidently pre-
pared to relieve his mind on this question.
/ He said ne was not surprised that many
/ men who were otherwise alive TO the
| issues of the day were not posted on
! this question. as many had told him
! they had made up their minds 10 swallow
/ it and the less they knew about ii the
| better and easier il would be for THAR
/ consciences.
/ This is the first attempt to annex a
/ territory by means of a joint resolu-
/ ton" declared Mr.. White. He then had
/ the clerk read the resolutions which
were adopted in admitting Texas as
/ State and which were followed by a res
! olution Of accep tance by the government
! of Texas.
In the case of Hawaii there had been
ton of a cession in the resolution now
under consideration.
| Mr.. White laid great stress on this part
/ of his argument. declaring that a joint
. resolution was only statute affecting the
people OF the United States and had moth
ing 10 do with and no effect on any other
/ people.
He. referred to the rumor that the Presi-
dent intended TO seize the islands as a
military necessity if they were not an
nexed, and declared that he did not be-
! Heve the President even intended TO
| stretch his authority for thai purpose.
Again at 2:45 the absence of quorum
was suggested. this time by Mr.. Pasco.
Mr.. White then proceeded. interspersing
his remarks by having various communi-
cations from former Presidents and Sec
reearies of State read by the clerk.
He also requested the reading of a
document purporting to be State De-
partment document filed by the Japanese
minister. After this paper. which made
some criticism of the Foreign Relations
Committee on the Hawaiian question had
been read. Mr.. Morgan entered his pro-
test against it. Ee' said that he did not
question the right of a senator to sub
nit any document he might see fit but
that IL the paper was a certified State
Department paper, he questioned the pro-
prietary of the Secretary of State in al
lowing il TO be made public.
Mr.. White said that he could not vouch
for its authenticity as a State Depart
ment document, or as emane ting from the
Japanese minister but if he (Mr. White)
had been the minister from Japan and
had read the report of that committee h
would have thought very much in the
line of that paper.
Mr. Spooner attached considerable i'm
portance TO Mr.. Morgan's protest, and
said that in his opinion 1t should not
have been uttered in open session.
Mr. Morgan replied that it was perfectly
proper for him to follow the course he
had.
Mr. White spoke for three and one-halt
hours, and then requested that he be al
lowed to suspend until today.
Mr.. Davis made no objection to this
and the Senate proceeded with the con
sideration of conference reports, and a
$50 on motion of Mr.. Gallinger, wen
into executive session for a short timt
and then adjourned.