The San Francisco call., 1898-06-28
MANY OBJECTIONS URGED
CAREER OF CONQUEST NOT THE
 COUNTRIES DESTINY.
Senator Stewart Alleges That Con- gress Has Constitutional Right to Take Hawaii by
 Legislation.
Special Dispatch to The Call.

WASHINGTON, June 27.-At II o'clock this morning the Senate con- vened and a few minutes afterward adopted the resolution of Davis, chair man of the Foreign Relations Commit tee, providing that hereafter until fur ther action shall be taken the Senate convene daily at Il a. m. Consideration of the Hawaiian an nexation resolution was resumed, and during the session Clay (D.) of Georgia, Roach (D.) of North Dakota and Caf- fiery D) of Louisiana, addressed the Senate in opposition. Caffery had not concluded his speech when the Sen ate adjourned.
 The annexation of Hawaii would, Clay insisted, start this country upon a career of conquest which was op- posed to the true destiny of the United States. He claimed that to make the present war an excuse for the addi- tion of a colonization policy would be a violation of the declarations made in the Cuban resolutions and would in- volve the country in tremendous diff culties and possibly ruin. He declared that the United States had no business to capture the Philippines, as the war udu not DSen begun TOT any SuCh pur- pose.
 Roach delived a carefully prepared argument against the annexation prop osition. He advanced the novel argu- ment that the United States should not annex the islands, as their exist ence was problematical. They were liable to be swallowed up by the sea in an earthquake. Roach maintained that if annexation was to be affected by resolution, the proposition ought to be first submitted to the Hawaiians them selves for ratification. Any other course would tend to destroy the very foundations of our Government by a subversion of this Government which is based upon the consent of the gov erned.
 The messages of the President relat- ing to Naval Constructor Hobson Com mander Frank H. Newcomb and Cap tain Hodgson were read.
 Caffery then began a speech in op- position to the annexation of Hawaii. He said the policy proposed was dan gerous to the safety and perpetuity of the United States, and opposed to the fundamental principles of the Govern ment He then entered upon con- stftuhonal argument against annexa- tion, during which he was frequently interrupted to answer questions. In response to an inquiry by Faulk- ner Caffery said that he had never | known any nation to acquire foreign territory by purely legislative act Stewart instanced the fact that Great | Britain had acquired parts of India by act of Parliament.
 But the English Parliament is om- nipotent," suggested Spooner of Wis consin. Does the Senator from Ne vada claim that Congress is omnipo- 1 tent ?'
 Yes. 1t is," replied Stewart, within the limits of the constitution" He pointed out that the annexation of Ha- waii had not been perfected until Con- gress had taken action upon the ques- tion. In response to an inquiry by l Mallory of Florida Stewart maintained the Supreme Court had held repeatedly that 1t would not inquire into the ac- quisition of territory. When the politi- l cal power of the Government had taken action the transaction was closed.
 In resuming his remarks Caffery said l that if the argument of Stewart were carried to it's legitimate conclusion 1t would constitute Congress an absolute despotistn.
 At 5 o'clock Caffery, not having con- cluded his speech, yielded the floor and | the Hawaiian resolutions were laid aside until tomorrow.
 Allison called up the conference re- | port on the Indian appropriation bill and asked that it be agreed to. | Jones of Arkansas expressed the hope that the report might be rejected be- cause of the provision which allowed Indians to lease mineral lands on their reservations. The report was rejected. | the special grounds of objection being that stated by Jones and one stated by Pettigrew, who insisted that the Sen ate conferees should insist upon the | free homes provision.
 A bill granting a right of way through the Indian Territory to the Gulf, Chickasaw and Kansas Railway Company was passed.
 At 5:35 D. m., on motion of Davis, the Senate went into executive session, and at 5:55 adjourned.