The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-08-26
HAWAIIAN COMMISSION
ARRIVAL AT HONOLULU OF MEssRs.
CULLOM, MORGAN AND HIT.
Conference with President Dole and
His Cabinet-The Islands TO BE
Connected by Submarine Cable.

SAN FRANCISCO, Cal, Aug. 25.-The
steamship Moana arrived here to-day from
Australian ports, via Honolulu. An Associ-
ated Press correspondent writes from Homo
lulu under date of Aug. Is. as follows:
The congressional members of the COM
mittee to report on form of government
for the territory of Hawaii arrived Aug. II,
on the Mariposa. The three commissioners
met President Dole and his Cabinet at the
executive building by appointment. The
compliments of the President and his col
leagues had been sent to the commission
ers earlier in the day. To-day the commits
sion met at the home of Justice Frear to
qualify as members by taking an oath. AS
soon as the members were regularly listed.
the commission proceeded to elect secre-
tary, a stenographer and sergeant-at-
arms Senator Cullom is chairman. The
men for the clerical positions and the SER
geant-at-arms have been brought from
Washington. AS soon as the formalities at
the residence of Justice Frear were finished
the four other members of the commission
adjourned to the hall of the house. the old
throne room in the executive building, and
there held the opening business session.
This week the commission will visit the
Island of Hawaii. They will be on the big
island six or seven days. The commission
will later make trips to Maui and Kauai
and may also see Molokai.
Senator Culom said that the sessions of
the commission would be private except
when there were hearings. When individu-
ais or delegations wish to present views or
open up discussions, either in person. or
by spokesman, or by attorney, the hall will
be open TO all. The senator gave the impress
sion that hearings would be granted to all
having any reasonable claims The work
of the commission will not be of secret
nature, but it is felt the business can be
transacted more expeditiously and better in
every way by having closed doors.
1t is likely. according to Senator Cullom
that there viii be prepared by the commits
sion organic act. corresponding to the
Constitution of State, describing the terri
tory, the manner. method and limitations
of legislation. This organic act will be sup
plemented by many congressional laws
bearing on customs, land, taxation the jul
dietary, etc. 1t is by no means contemplated
that there shall be any radical changes in
the system here
Senator Morgan, in an interview said:
'AS to the scope of the commissions work?
That is rather leading question, but l can
answer II by referring you to the NewlandS
resolution. We shall keep within the bounds
laid down in that resolution, and. mark you,
we are not going TO make any new laws
for you or Institute any radical changes.
Our duties are largely. If not wholly advis-
DRY, and we shall confine our work as much
as possible to that line"
Speaking of the work of the last Legisla-
ture, the senator said, referring especially
to the loan act: 1T does not follow that
such law would fall through. The United
States has assumed 900 of your debt,
but there is no reason why you are stopped
from mourning any more We have allowed
all the Territories to pass laws allowing
the issuing of bonds for internal improve
ments, subject, of course, TO congressional
supervision, and / know of no reason why
Hawaii should be excluded from doing so.
The United States, having assumed the bulk
of your debt, you should be in better flnan-
cial condition than most of the Territories,
and you understand that hereafter any laws
you pass will be subject to the approval of
Congress
The steamship Lakme arrived to-day,
bringing Major Lang1itts third battalion of
the Second Regular United States Voun-
teers.
There is soon to be telegraphic commune
cation between the islands of this group.
A cable connecting the islands with one an
other is TO be laid. One of the duties of one
Of the engineer corps that is here. the
third battalion of the Third United States
Volunteer Engineers, will be the construc-
tion of the interisland cable system. The
fact that the government intends to pro-
coed at once with the work is pretty con-
elusive that the franchise for a cable from
the coast to Honolulu will not long be de-
layed.