The times., 1898-06-24
FRIDAY. JUNE "a, 1895.
The Senate obstruct,onis,s

The anti-annexation obstructionists
IN the Senate are still droning their nm
patriotic song Of bunker provincialism
as opposed to American destiny. They
seem to hug the vain hope that if only
their wind viii hold out something will
turn up. or be turned up, to prevent a
vote on the Newlands resolution during
TINS session Of Congress. Supposing this
We're to happen, what would they gain
by it?
UP to the present time the majority
have not attempted 10 exercise their
power, but have courteously allowed
the Tories to burn daylight with the
fuel Of exploded theories, Cleveland
esque platitudes. and freshman soph:s-
tries. Confident in their overwhelming
strength. as disclosed by the vote on
Monday last, the friends Of annexation
have thus far allowed matters TO drift
along and have displayed consideration
for the small minority which is bitterly
and unpatriotically fighting the policy
Of the Government, a two-thirds
majority in Congress, and the will OF
the American people to an extent which
we think quite sufficient for all con-
Ventional and other purposes.
1t is not only that the country is i'm
patient Of delay. knowing that grave
national and perhaps International is
sues may be injuriously affected by it,
There is ample and exasperating evi-
dence that, behind the skirnnish line of
the retreating obstructionists. a strong
army Of lobbyists is throwing up en-
trenchments and laying mines of gold
In circumjacent Tong green" thickets.
We do not say that, primarily. this is
the reason why the apparently useless
fight is kept up. We do aver that il is
affording time for the application of
such sound business methods" and
the use Of such valuable arguments as.
in the past, have changed the course
OF American legislation, and at times
forfeited confidence in legislation.
On that and many other grounds. we
are confident that the time has come
TO screw down the lid of the obstruc
tionist coffin. Let the issue be joined
at once. The Congressional day is far
spent. the night Of adjournment is at
hand. 1t behooves the chairman Of the
Committee on Foreign Relations TO put
on his war paint and produce his toma-
hawk Timidity and hyper-courtesy are
ont Of place. 1t is not a merely
academic question Of policy that is be-
ing attacked by the influence of a great
monopoly, willing to spend millions 10
defeat Hawaiian annexation. 1t is
measure Of imperative military neces-
sity, Of our control of the Nicaragua
Canal, the protection Of our Western
coast, and our future naval and com
mercial position among the powers of
the world, which is under the fire of
that sordid and un-American influence.
We trust that Admiral Davis will no
longer continue the pacific blockade of
The enemy's position. He should at
once begin to lombard it. Its batteries
are weak and its gunners have not
shown ability to hit a flock of barns
at a dozen PAGES. But delays are dam
gerous. Experienced artillerists are be-
ing imported from Wall Street-mer
who can fire ten thousand pound
sterling projectiIes with fatal accuracy.
Therefore. wake up, Admiral Davis.
and open the BAH with the thirteen
inch gun of continuous session. Keep
at that for a few days and then finish
the destruction of the works with the
dynamite shot of a final vote