The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1898-12-09
ANNEXATION OF HAWAII.
Existing Laws in Force Pending Ac-
tfon by Congress.

Pending the consideration by the senate
of the treaty signed June 16, 1897, by the
plenipotentaries of the United States and
of the republic of Hawaii, providing for
the annexation of the island, joint reso-
luton to accomplish the same purpose by
accepting the offered cession and incor-
porating the ceded territory into the
Union was adopted by congress and ap-
proved July Z. 1893. thereupon directed
the United States steamer Philadelphia
to convey Rear-Admiral Miller to Homo
lulu and entrusted to his hands this i'm
portant legislative act to be delivered to
the president of the republic of Hawaii,
with whom the admiral and the United
States minister were authorized to make
appropriate arrangements for transfer
ring the sovereignty of the islands to the
United States. This was simply but inn
pressively accomplished on August IL last.
by the delivery of a certified copy of
the resolution to President Dole, whe
thereupon yielded up to the representa-
tive of the government of the United
States the sovereignty and public prop
erty of the Hawaiian islands. Pursuant
to the terms of the joint resolution and
in exercise of authority thereby CON-
ferred upon me, directed that the civil,
judicial and military powers heretofore
exercised by the officers of the govern
ment of the republic of Hawaii should
continue to be exercised by those officers
until congress should provide a govern
ment for the incorporated territory, sub
Ject to my power to remove such officers
and to fill vacancies. The present off,
GERS and troops of the republic thereup-
on took the oath of allegiance to the
United States, thus providing for the un-
interrupted continuance of alt the admin
istrative and municipal functions of the
annexed territory until congress shall 9TH
erwiSe enact.
Following the further provision of the
joint resolution, I appointed the Honor
ables Shelby M. Cullom, of Illinois; John
T. Morgan, of Alabama; Robert R. Hit,
of Illinois; Sanford B. Dole, of Hawaii,
and Walter F. Grier, of Hawaii, as COM
missioners to confer and recommend to
congress such legislation concerning the
Hawaiian islands as they should deem
necessary or proper.
Recommendations of the Commission.
The commissioners having fulfilled the
mission confided to them, their report
will be laid before you at an early day.
1t Is believed that their recommenda-
tions will have the earnest consideration
due to the magnitude of the responsibility
resting upon you to give such shape to
the relationship of those mid-Pacific lands
to our home union as will benefit both in
the highest degree, realizing the 2aspira-
tions of the community that has cast its
lot with us ard elected to share our DO
litical heritage, while, at the same time,
Justifying the foresight of those who for
three-quarters of a century have looked
to the assimilation of Hawaii as a natural
and inevitable consummation in harmony
with our needs and in fulfllment of our
cherished traditions.
The questions heretofore pending be-
tween Hawaii and Japan, growing out of
the alleged mistreatment of japanese
treaty immigrants, were, I am pleased
to say, adjusted before the act of trans
fer by the payment of a reasonable in
demnitv the of To
Under the provisions of the joint resolu-
tion, the existing customs relations of the
Hawaiian islands with the United States
and with other countries remain un-
changed until legis alton shall otherwise
provide. The consuls of Hawaii, here and
foreign countries, cont i,s;a- - fs,a.:.
Their commercial agencies, while the
United States consulate at Honolulu is
maintained for all proper services per-
tanning to trade and the revenue. II
would be desirable that all foreign con-
suls in the Hawaiian islands should re-
ceive new exequaturs from this govern
ment.
New Maritime Policy.
The annexation of Hawaii and the.
changed relations of the United States to
Cuba, Porto Rico and the Philippines re-
sulting from the war, compel the prompt
adoption Of a maritime policy by frequent
steamship communication encouraged by
the United states, under the American flag.
with the newly acquired islands. Spain
furnished to it's colonies, at an annual cost
of about $2,0Oo,00O, steamship lines COM
municating with a portion of the worlds
markets as well as with trade centers Of
the home government. The United States
will not undertake to do less. 1t Is our
duty to furnish the people of Hawaii with
facilities. under national control for their
export and import trade. 1t will be con-
ceded that the present situation calls for
legislation which shall be prompt, dur
able and liberal.