The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-02-23
HOUSE WAS ELECTRIFIED
Unexpected Speech Upon Hawaiian
Annexation.
REPRESENTATIVE JOHNsON'S ELO-
QUENT OUTBURsT.

Attempt of Government to Enter Upon
| Policy of Colonization Denounced
| History of other Nations Pointed Tt
as Warning-Senate Votes to Increase
Artillery.
Washington, February 22.-.Washing
toms birthday was celebrated in thu
House after motion of Mr.. Bailey tt
adjourn had been voted down, with {
vast deal of political speechmaking. ant
it was also signalized by the firing of ths
first gun in opposition to Hawaiian an
nexation. Mr.. johnson, an Indiana Re
publican, delivered speech that eleotri
fed the House and galleries III denunci
alton of what he termed an attempt te
cut loose from the traditional policy o1
the United States and enter upon q
scheme of colonization that had proved
the ruin of empires and of nations. He
used some very strong language, but his
remarks were enthusiastically applauded
by the minority and many Republicans
lo1ned in the demonstration. He declared
that he did not believe the proposed
scheme to annex the Sandwich Islands
could stand the crucial test OF contest
in the open, either in the Senate or House.
He declared that while he had denounced
at the time the statement that the Ha-
waiian government had been overthrown
with the aid of the American, he now firm.
ly believed it was true. The speech COM
ing entirely unheralded, produced a deep
impression. The general debate on the
sundry civil bill was concluded today and
tomorrow the bill will be taken up for
amendment. At 5 p. m. the House ad
journed.
Washington, February 22.-The House
leaders had arranged to proceed with the
sundry civil appropriation bill today, not
withstanding the fact that this was Wash.
ington's birthday.
M Cannon moved that the House go
into the committee of the whole, but Mr..
Bailey, the Democratic leader, whose
motion to adjourn over last night was de-
feated by point of order of no quorum,
moved an adjournment out OF respect to
the birthday of Washington.
..'The Chair suggests that possibly the
gentleman's motion is not in order" OBJ
sci vc., . SnHaker.
"A motion to adjourn is always in
order" said Mr.. Bailey.
"That motion to adjourn out of respect
to somebody is not necessarily in order. =
remarked the Chair.
''If the form of my motion offends the
rules of the House, l withdraw it," re-
piled Mr. Bailey, "and submit simple
motion to adjourn.
The gentleman submits simple motion
to adjourn, said the speaker. On division
on a rising vote two Republicans, Messrs.
Pearson of North Carolina and Rartholdt
of Missouri, voted with the Democrats
and Populists aud the vote stood, ayes "a !;
no es ~.
There was chorus of protests when
Mr.. Cannon asked for an aye and no vote,
but he insisted Upon his demand and the
roll was called. The motion was defeated
on the aye and no vote, 81 to 104. Messrs.
Pearson and Bartholdt voted no on the
roll call. Two other Republicans, Messrs.
Gibson of Tennessee and Powers of Yer
mont, voted for the motion.
The House then went into committee of
the whole, Mr.. Payne, Republican OF New
York, in the chair, and the sundry civil
appropriation bill was considered.
it was agreed that the general debate
should close at five o'clock tonight. Mr..
Cannon explained the bill. While the
bill was not extravagant he said, it was
liberal in it's provisions for. the public
service.
Mr.. Loud, Republican of California,
chairman of the post office appropriation
committee questioned Mr. Cannon regard
ing the item of S25, 900 for supplying
power for pneumatic tube mail system
in New York, Philadelphia and Boston.
He desired to know why this appropria
tion for prospective service which the
post office committee had not as yet de-
cided to allow, had been inserted
Mr. Cannon replied that the appropria-
tions committee had not investigated the
subject. 1t had been recommended by the
all public buildings and appliances of
this character. He agreed with Mr.. Loud
that the company that leased the tube
system should furnish the power.
Mr.. Smith, Republican of Michigan.
criticised the provision in the bill creating
an advisory board of nine commissioners
to the Paris exposition to serve without
Mating against those who were not
ealthy enough to serve without salary.
Mr.. Cannon replied in a light vein,
saying that the general officers Of the ex-
position who were to do the work, were
provided with salaries. 1t was reported
to the committee that there were eminent
citizens who would be glad to serve with
out salary If it was not to cost anything
the committee was willing to give few
eminent citizens the yellow jacket and
the peacock feather. He was willing. to
strike out the provision for these nine
commissioners.
Mr.. Quigg, Republican OF New York,
thought if the commissioners were ap-
pointed without pay it might lead to the
selection of men who had represented
special interests and lead to serious
scandal. He thought the provision should
go out.
Mr.. Simpson, Populist of Kansas sug-
gestrd that If the provision stood as
recommended nine millionaires with
special interests would go to Paris, amuse
themselves and attain social glory.
Mr.. Walker, Republican of Massachu-
setts in a brief speech, expressed his con-
tempt for this constant sneering at the
men who had become rich and prosperous
by helping to build up the resources of
the country.
Mr. Robinson Renuhlican of Indiana