Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1898-02-05

all he was. he said, a senator &c,
the whole American people. and as
such would perform his duties and cas-,
his vote in accordance with his con.
victiors and with the dictates of his
conscience. No business Of Importance
was transacted in the brief open ses.
sion. After the executive session of
three hours the senate adjourned until
Monday.
In the executive session White com.
pleted his speech against Hawaiian an.
nexation. Among the points he made
were the following: No American would
| labor in Hawaiian sugar or coffee fields
and American wages could net be paid
for such labor: the Hawaiian natives
were intelligent. yet they had not been
| consulted; that the constitution of Tex.
as. at the time of annexation, provided
for the specific submission of the cues.
ton of annexation TO the people of Tex
as; that annexation Of Hawaii was no,
| a step that could add to our glory. or
| increase our wealth. or be regarded as
| an evidence of our honesty. He quoted
at length from speech made in the
| senate in 1894 by Turpie, in which the
| Indiana senator said tina, however de-
sirable the acquisition Of the islands
might be the United States could not
afford to take them by stealth. by any
process of furtive legerdemain or gilded
larceny sprung from the bandit maxim
miscalled the policy of success
Yesterday was private bill day in the
house. but by systematic filibusterinC
the private calendar containing the
bills reported by the committee on
claims was not reached. the whole day
being consumed in passing eighteen of
the twenty-four private pension bills
favorably acted upon by the house at
the session last Friday night. During
the consideration Of enc of the bills
an interesting discussion of the ap-
preaching sale of the Kansas Pacific
road, set for Feb. IL. was precipitated
by Fleming of Georgia, who with his
Democratic colleagues desired legisla-
tion to require the president to bid the
full amount of the debt. principal and
interest. Powers. chairman of the Pa
cific railroad committee, contended that
the real purpose of the opposition was
to compel the government to take the
road and operate 1t. He said he thought
the administration which had secured
every dollar owing from the Union Pa
ciiic could be safely trusted to protect
the governments interest at the sale of
the Kansas Pacific.
Fleming complained that he had an
pealed 10 both the speaker and Powers,
chairman Of the Pacific railway COM
mittee. for legislation on the Pacific
mi oil
Gus" said Fleming. but failed to get
the speaker 10 use his influence with
Mr. Powers or Mr.. Powers to use his
influence with the speaker. On yester-
day tried to get recognition from tie
speaker. / caught his natural eye. but
/ failed 10 catch his official eye. Today
when | did get recognition it awaited
nothing because the chairman of the
committee, Mr.. Powers, said he would
object"
Mcguire Dem.) of California said the
Law ~a.uired that the government should
collect the full amount of the debt or
take the road and he believed the law
should be obeyed.
In other words. YOU want govern
ment ownership of railroads" inter-
posed Dalzeil. Il want to collect the
government debt" replied Mcguire.
Powers alleged that the whole purpose
of those who We're opposing the sale
was the government ownership and op-
Grafton Of railroads.
THE gentleman has heard me to lit
tie purpose for the past five years." in
terrupted Mcguire, IF he imagines l
desire government operation of rail-
roads. ! am in favor of the government
owning the highways of commerce, but
not of operating trains, any more than
wagons"
Il am glad the gentleman has made
his proposition more ridiculous than
could" observed Powers.
During the evening session nineteen
private pension bills were favorably
acted on, including one of $50 per month
to the widow of General Mortimer d.
Leggett.