The San Francisco call., 1898-03-03
HAWAII COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.

I~HE annexation press accompanied Its recent ! announcement of the withdrawal of the treaty
 with the statement that such action will be fol- lowed by joint resolution annexing Hawan as county to California.
 A constitutional study of this proposition IS not without interest In the fundamental law there IS no authority given to Congress to attach territory to existing State a county thereof NOT IS there any authority given to State to accept such addition to territory. The constitution says that no new State shall be formed within the jurisdiction of another State nor shall State be formed by junction of two or more States parts of States without the consent of the Legislature as well as of Congress. It under this provision that the State of West Virginia was formed out Of Virginia But in that Legislature, recognized by Con- gress Virginia assented to the division Much ill., feeling was caused by the in which that Leg isature was organized and the issue was one of the causes of great embitterment of the South against the Federal Government It gave rise to the r,puda- ton policy of old Virginia which put Senator Ma hone for time in power. But in the long run the division has proved best for both States their ter ritory was deimited by natural frontier and their industrial destinies divergent lines.
 Congress may attach unorganized to organized territory, as the territory now comprising Wisconsin and Iowa was attached to Michigan. On the admis- sion of the latter State in 1887 Wisconsin, under the act of 1856, became separate territory.
 It is probable that under these precedents Hawaii could be attached the territory of Alaska, but not to the State of California The constitution o this State bounds the territory which shall comprise the State of California. Congress has authority to change that boundary, it has none to amend the constitution of State It may amend the proposed constitution under which State asks admission into the Union and may change the proposed boundaries, 1t did with the first constitution ot Iowa Tn 1o4o but then the Territory refuse to enter the Onon with the changed boundary, as Iowa did. But after the State is admitted Congress loses power its boundary except in case of its division into two or more States which may be by assent of its Legisa- ture as in the Virginia But in no event does the constitution empower Congress to add to the ter ritory of State<o State to accept such addition
 Latitudinarans may make argument under the
 general welfare" clause, for creating the county ot Hawaii, California. If they prevail and accomplish what is proposed, what will follow?
 The people of Hawaii now on her soil, will become citzens not electors of the United States, and under the Federal constitution "sha be entitled all the privileges and immunities of citizens in the several States
 The State of California cannot 1egslate against the right of any in the county ot Hawaii to change his residence to any other county in the State nor any other State exclude them rom ITS Jurlsdc- ton The State constitution forbids special legisa- ton against their choice of doncile in California, and the Federal constitution makes them free com moners of the Union.
 The 10000 Asiatics in Hawaii County could come and go they please.
 If this plan materiaze 1t will become an issue in this years campaign in California Are the Repub-
 can papers which favor annexation prepared to go to the people with proposition to add so heavily to our Asiatic population? Have not national and State issues enough already to call for every energy of the Republican party in carrying this State next fall?
 The Call has opposed annexation for public and not partisan reasons, believing that service to the public interest is the best work for party Annexa- ton in any form burdens the Republican party in the coming campaign. As the treaty is dead. 1t should be the shroud of the whole proposition.