The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-06-24
DEBATE IN SENATE.
Hawaiian Resolutions and the Indian
Bill Discussed.

WASHINGTON, June 23-Discussion in
the Senate of the Hawaiian annexation
question was interrupted to-day by Mr..
haWlns, OF Utah, with a speech in which
ne critlcised vigorously the provision en-
bodied in the conference report on the In
dian appropriation bill, which acknowledges
the right of Indians to lease mineral lands
en- their reservations. He declared that it
was FAR graver matter than the annexa-
ton of the Hawaiian islands, as it would
involve the cession to the Indians of the
mineral rights in territory exceeding fifty
million acres of land, not including the Ter
ritory of Alaska. He charges that specu-
lators had obtained already leases to much
of these lands, and if the provision pro-
posed by the committee were adopted the
government would lose tens of millions of
dollars.
The resolution offered yesterday by Mr.
Jones, or Arkansas, directing the committee
on pubic lands to investigate the official
conduct of Special Agent c. A NJ Schiller
holz. who is charged with unlawfully seiz-
ing timber, was again considered and re-
ferred to committee.
AT 1 o'clock the Hawaiian resolution was
called up and Mr.. Pettigrew, of South Da-
kota, resumed his speech in opposition. ad-
dressing the Senate for about two hours
In the course of his argument which was
forceful and interesting because he had
made a personal investigation of the sub
lect, lie maintained that the harbor of Kis-
ka, on the island of Great Kiska owned bv
the United States, would make much bet
ter coaIlng station for our navy than Homo
lulu as II was in more direct line from
this country to the Philippines than the
IanG mes l5anas an MD pore than thou
annexation was defended by the sentiment
that 1t was the manifest destiny of the
United States to extend its territory II
was manifest destiny he said that had
committed more crime and had done more
70 opppress the people than any other thing
tiny had built the feudal castles and gath
cred the serfs around them. 1t was the
J9stlhcation Of the strong for the p,under
or the weak. He declared that if the United
States should annex territory into which
we could not introduce our own form of
government, the reflex action of such ac-
QUESTION of territory and of people far in
ferior TO our own would cause our own gov
eminent to deteriorate.
Mr.. Pettigrew yielded to Mr.. Morgan who
secured the passage of the following resolu-
ton
That the select committee on the con-
struction of the Nicaraguan canal is direct
ed to inquire into the claims of the republic
of Nicaragua relating to the stock or securi-
ties of the Maritime Canal Company under
the concession of said republic TO the Mic
araguan Canal Company and any demands
of said republic connected with said claims
And said committee is authorized to con-
duct such investigation by a subcommittee
and to send for persons and papers, and to
administer oaths to the witnesses called be-
fore said committee subcommittee"
Continuing. Mr.. Pettigrew maintained
that questions of annexation. involving an
entire change in the traditional policy of the
government, ought not to be forced to con-
sideration at such time as this. Let us
fight out the war upon which we are all
agreed said he. and then at the close of
the war we can discuss this policy of i'm
perialism in the full light of facts
Although he had not concluded his speech,
Mr.. Pettigrew. on account of fatigue yield
ed the floor TO Mr.. McEnery dem
Louisiana), who presented constitutional
argument against annexation. Mr. Me-
Emery said that the conditions in Hawaii
after annexation would be an aggravation
of the condition of the South during the
days of reconstruction. Ii would be overrun
he declared. with criminals and with social
and political adyenturers. There would be
on the islands carnival of crime and de-
bauchery that would be disgrace TO our
people and our government. Very soon, he
thought, Hawaii would seek admission as