The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-06-07
ESPECIAL TO THE PREss.1

ESPECIAL TO THE PRESS,I
Washington, June 6-The question of
the annexation of Hawaii will probably
come up in the House before many days.
Speaker Reed has been in favor of keep.
ing the measure back until the war reve-
nue. bill should be safely through the
Senate, regarding the revenue bill as the
chief essential as from it must be derived
the sinews of tho war and without it our
position would be very difficult. Some
time ago the general opinion of the most
influential House leaders was undoubted-
ly that of the Speaker, for he mapped out
the programme after thorough consulta-
ton and after having gotten as he sup
posed the sentiment of tho Republicans OF
the House on the question. But within
the last few days or weeks the situation
has changed materially. These who favor
the annexation of Hawaii feel that the
war and the occupation of the Philippines
is giving them leverage which they
must use while it is good. Ignoring the
fact that the present conditions in Hawaii
have not at all interfered with our get
ting to Admiral Dewey all the reinforce
ments that we have been able to provide
transportation and equipment for, the
friends of annexation have put their pro-
iect under the guise Of an emergency
war measure and thus have given it
great strength. For it is an axiom that
supplies for the war must be given un.
grudgingly, and so whenever it is desira-
BILE to get any bill through the House its
friends aim to hitch it up with the war
In some way il possible. OF course Ha-
vail does have certain though not nee
essary connection with the prosecution of
The war.
There is also strong local sentiment
here in favor of Hawaii, which is voiced
urgently and evenly abusively by the
Washington papers. The reason for this
Is obvious. Washington fourishes be
sause it is the residence of the men who
ire employed in the government service
The larger the service the greater the
'ity. An imperial policy, with colonies
N remote parts of the world, an immense
navy and large standing army would
make Washington flourish as never before.
"a standing army of two hundred thous-
Ind men would be good thing for the
business of this city," said a prominent
Washington business man not long ago.
It was wise statement from his point
of view. 1t would increase the army Of
department officials and clerks, would put
side by side with the department of State
and the Treasury, department of the
colonies with its army of clerks and off,
cials. 1t is natural and inevitable that
Washington should be in favor of an i'm
perial policy. Its business depends upon
The disbursements of the national govern
ment. AS long as the government is
spending money freely this city is pros
porous.
OF course this argument which appeals
to the city of Washington so strongly In
behalf of an imperial and colonial policy,
with a great standing army and navy and
entanglements with foreign nations, does
not nave the same force in those parts of
the country which pay the taxes and par
ticipate remotely in the benefits of great
armies and navies and wars. But the
local influence is very strong, and has
contributed to make very strong cur
rent in favor Of pushing on the Hawaiian
business without regard to the war reve-
nue. bill or anything else.
Whether it will ultimately make the
annexation bill law is a matter of grave
doubt. The Senate have SO far failed to
bring the annexation treaty to vote
even, to say nothing of passing 1t, and
there is very grave doubt whether they
can now bring to vote resolution for
accomplishing the same purpose. Ii
seems very evident that the tendency of
the Hawaiian matter has already delayed
the revenue bill in the Senate a week.
he IF ,pfo xuh rUia IA.
es to obstruct a measure is to begin by
obstructing everything that Is ahead of
it. This is the first principle of parlia-
mentary obstruction, and when SO con-
Quoted it is difficult to meet and over
come, even with rules like those Of the
House. There seems to be very good
reason for believing that this sort of OBJ
Senate, although it is something not sus'
ceptible of proof
Therefore judcious members have op-
posed strongly taking up the Hawaiian
matter, especially before the revenue bill
should be out of the way. Whatever OPP
position the Speaker may have to the Ha-
Wallan matter on its merits, he would
not therefore use his position in the
House to prevent consideration of the
matter If the majority of the Republicans
should wish it. Indeed he could not do
SO If he wished, although the newspapers
nave p6eN giving MIN une credit OF stop.
ping the consideration of the measure SO
far. The rules of the House give way
of considering Hawaii whenever a major
ity want to consider it. There have been
and there are still large and influential
body of Republicans in the House who do
not believe in taking up the question. At
first it seemed that they were in the ma
iority, but various influences have
brought first one and en- another to ac-
quiesce in fayoring tie consideration of
the measure.
Therefore it seems likely tn at the raso.
luton will be considered very soon. Gov
ernor Dingley, having the war revenue
measure in charge in the House as chair
man of the ways and means committee,
is in favor of the consideration of the
Hawaiian matter at some time, and there
fore the Speaker has told him that when
ever he feels that the war revenue bill Is
safe from delay business will be arranged
SO as to take up the Hawaiian resolutions
rs by the rules it can easily be. Therefore
the course of business will depend some
what on Mr. Ding.ey's judgment as to
the condition OF his own bill. The rave
nue. bill did not pas all the
-l,oo L. x1hor, tho Cor, ate actpd on in IL will