The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-07-07
SENATE PROCEEDINGS.
Vote on the Amendments and AdOp-
ton of the Resolutions.


WASHINGTON, July 6.-The annexation
of Hawaii is now accomplished so far as the
legislative branch of the government is con-
cerned. Quite unexpectedly, the resolutions
providing for the annexation of the islands
were brought to vote in the Senate late
this afternoon and they were passed by the
decisive vote of AZ to a.
Early in to-day's session conferences of
the leaders on both sides of the chamber
were held and tacit agreement was
reached that a vote should be taken to-
morrow or Friday at the latest The oppo-
nents of annexation practically had con-
cluded their arguments, and as they had no
desire to keep the Senate in session by
purely dilatory tactics, they announced their
willingness that a vote should be taken as
soon as Mr.. White, Mr. Pettgrew and Mr..
Allen had finished their speeches. Neither
Mr.. White nor Mr.. Pettigrew spoke at great
length but Mr.. Allen thought when he be-
gan that his speech might occupy the re-
mainder of the day and part of Tomorrow.
However, he concluded to eliminate part
of the matter he had prepared. and at Ais
he completed his speech.
1t was evident instantly that a vote was
at hand. The word was passed swiftly
through the corridors and committee rooms,
and in a few minutes every senator at the
Capitol was in his seat The galleries filed
rapidly and members of the House of Rep
resentatives. learning that vote was to be
taken, came hurriedly to the Senate side of
the great marble pile to witness proceed
ings that will be historic.
The test vote came up on an amendment
offered by Mr.. White, of California. 1t was
offered with no expectation that it would
and opinions of the opponents of annexation
on record. 1t was rejected by vote of 40
to 20, indicating that the annexationists
were strongly in the majority.
INTEREST WAS INTENSE.
Amendment after amendment was offered,
but the advocates of the resolutions stood
solidly together, gaining rather than losing
strength OH the successive votes. Finally,
at $50 p. M, the resolutions themselves, in
precisely the form in which they were re-
ceived from the House of Representatives,
were reported to the Senate and the roll call
began. Intense interest was manifested by
every spectator Not a sound was to be
heard in the chamber, except the call of the
clerk and the responses of senators. WheE
the Vice President announced the vote by
which the resolutions were passed a tremen-
dous wave of applause swept through the
galleries, which the Vice President made no
EFFORT TO CHECK. lnOSe VINO advocated
the resolutions expressed their pleasure by
shaking hands with one another, and on all
sides evident relief was shown that the end
had come. For a few minutes so much good
natured confusion existed that the dignity of
the Senate was threatened, but Vice Presi-
dent Hobart quietly reminded senators that
the session was not yet at an end
Mr.. Morrill, was the only Republican who
voted against the resolutions, although Mr.
Thurston and Mr.. Spooner were paired
against them. SIX Democrats-Messrs Cor
man. McLaurin Money, Morgan. Pettus
and Sullivan-voted in favor of annexation
On the face of the vote cast for the reso-
lutions, the treaty of annexation might
have been ratified, the resolutions having a
two-thirds majority, but as the twelve
pairs would have been arranged on a basis
of two votes for one If the treaty had been
under consideration the vote of the full Sem
ate on the. treaty. on the basis of to-day's
vote would have been So to 80, not suffi-
cient number of votes in favor of the treaty
to have ratified 1t.
A sharp discussion was caused early in
the session to-day by the Introduction OF a
resolution rendering the thanks OF Congress
to Commodore Sehley for destroying Ad-
miral Cervera's feet. The resolution was
sent to the naval affairs committee.
The Senate concurred In the House