The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1898-06-22
To Annex Hawaii,

BY vote OF 209 ayes to VI noes the
House of Representatives has passed
the Newlands joint resolution for the
annexation of Hawaii to the United
States. This is nine more that two
thirds affirmative vote.
The resolutions, in preamble, recite
the offer of the Hawaiian republic to
cede all it's sovereignty and the absolute
title to the government and crown
lands, and the resolutions accept the
cession and declare the islands annexed.
They provide for commission of five,
two at least to be resident Hawaiians,
to recommend to Congress such legisla-
ton as it may deem advisable. The
public debt of Hawaii, not to exceed
81 900, 900, is assumed. Chinese i'm
migration is prohibited, all treaties with
other powers are declared null, and it is
stipulated that until Congress shall pro.
vide for the government of the islands
all civil, judicial and military powers
now exercised by the officers of the ex-
listing government shall be exercised in
such manner as the President shall d.
rect, and power is given to him to APP
point persons to put in effect provis-
ional government for the islands.
OF the affirmative vote, 100 were Re-
publicans, 20 were Democrats, and 9
were Populists and free silver people.
Three Republicans voted no. Speaker
Reed was i'll, but the speaker pro tenn
announced that Mr.. Reed had sent
word that if present he would vote no.
A large majority of the Senators favors
annexation. The House resolutions
have been favorably reported but the
Senate rules, or want of rules, provide
no means of closing debate. A stub
born minority can prolong debate in
definitely. So long as member de-
sires to be heard, or continues speak
ing, no vote can be taken. In case
like the consideration of this question,
resistance after reasonable time for
debate would be unpatriotic, and would
merit the severest condemnation. 1t
is not believed that the minority will
resort to the extreme means in it's
power to prevent vote. The chief
opposition comes from some of the
representatives of the beet sugar pro-
ducing States. If, however, this self
ish and revolutionary interest carries
resistance to extremes, the President,
in the exercise of his powers, will take
possession of the islands as war meas
ure.
1t is interesting to note that some
newspapers that have been publishing
long editorial articles in opposition to
annexation find suddenly that the situ-
alton has changed; that but recently
public opinion was all against annexa-
ton; that the capture of Manila and
American interests in the far East have
given the question of annexation a
new Importance, and the interests Of
the United States require that the
islands shall now be taken into the
Union. The light that is new to these
late converts has been the illuminating
ray of every consideration that states
men, eminent naval and military au-
thorities, have been urging for gen.
GRAFTON, but with growing vehemence
in the years Immediately passed, in ia
vor of annexation. The situation fore
told in every discussion of the subject
has been rapidly developing, but the
crisis came somewhat sooner than even
the wisest anticipated and in manner
somewhat different That is all there
is in the present aspect of the ques-
ton of annexation, and the considera-
tons that render it imperatively neces-
sary to this nation, that is essentially
different from the phases it has borne
at all times in the past, Had the
islands been annexed when President
Harrison brought the question to the