The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1898-12-09

of Illinois; Sanford B. Dole, Of Hawaii.
and Walter F. Grier, of Hawaii. as COM
mlssioners TO confer and recommend to
congress such legislation concerning the
'HaWahan islands as they should deem
necessary or proper.
recommendation of the Commission.
The commissioners having fulfilled the
mission confided to them. their report
VIII be laid before you at an early dav
1t is believed that their recommenda-
ions will have the earnest consideration
uue 10 the magnitude of the responsibility
iesling upon you to give such shape to
the relationship of those mid-Pacific lands
70 our home union as viii benefit both in
the highest degree, realizing the aspira-
.lons OF the community that has cast its
10, lot win us ard elected to share our po-
iltlcai heritage, while, at the same time
Justifying the foresight of those who for
tnree-quarters of a century have looked
10 the assimilation of Hawaii as a natural
and inevitable contamination in harmony
with our needs and in fultillment of our
cherished traditions
Inc questions heretofore pending be-
tween Hawaii and Japan, growing out of
the alleged mistreatment of Japanese
treaty immigrants, were, I am pleased
70 say, adjusted before the act of trans
Ter by the payment of reasonable in
demnlty to the government of Japan
Under the provisions of the Joint resolu-
ton, the existing customs relations of the
hawaiian islands with the United States
ana with other countries remain un-
changed until legislation shall otherwise
provide. The consuls of Hawaii here and
IN foreign countries, continue to fulfill
their commercial agencies, while the
United States consulate at Honolulu is
maintained for all proper services per-
tanning to trade and the revenue 1t
would be desirable that all foreign con-
suls In the Hawaiian islands should re-
ceive new exequaturs from this govern
ment.
Redemption of GreenbacIxs
I renew so much of my recommendation
of December l, 1897, as follows:
THAT when any of the United States
notes are presented for redemption and are
redeemed in gold, such notes shall be kept
and set apart and only paid out in ex-
change for gold. This is an obvious duty.
II the holder of the United States note pre-
fers gold and gets it from the government
he should not receive back from the United
States a note without paying gold for it
in exchange. The reason for this is made
all the most apparent when the govern
ment issues an interest-bearing debt
to provide gold for the redemp-
ton of United States notes.
Notwithstanding debt. Surely it
should not pay them out again except on
demand and for gold If they are put out
in any other way they may return again.
to be followed by another issue to redeem
them, another Understanding debt to re-
deem a Notwithstanding debt"
This recommendation is made in the be-
lief that such provisions of law would in
sure to a greater degree the safety of the
present standard and better protect our
currency from the dangers to which it
is subjected from a disturbance in
the general business conditions of
the country. In my Judgment, the
present condition of the country JUS
titles the immediate enactment of the legis-
lation recommended one year ago, under
which portion of the gold holdings should
be placed in a trust fund from which
greenbacks should be redeemed upon pre-
sentation. but when once redeemed they
should not thereafter pc paid out except
for gold.
1t is not to be inferred that other legis-
lation relating to our currency is not re-
quired. On the contrary, there is an OBJ
vious demand for it.
The Importance Of adequate provision
which will insure permanence to our fu-
ture money standard, related as our money
standard now is to that of our commercial
rivals, is generally recognized. The COM
rency shall be kept safe and yet be so
related to the needs of our industries and
internal commerce as to be adequate and
responsive to such needs, is a proposition
scarcely less important The subject in
all its parts is commended to the wise con-
sideration of congress
New Maritime Policy.
The annexation of Hawaii and the
changed relations of the United States to
Cuba Porto Rico and the Philippines re-
sulting from the war, compel the prompt
adoption of q mar time policy by frequent
steamship communication encouraged by
the United states, under the American flag
with the newly acquired islands. Spain
furnished to it's colonies, at an annual cost
of about $2,00O,000, steamship lines COM
municating with a portion of the worlds
markets as well as with trade centers of
the home government. The United States
will not undertake to do less. It is our
duty to furnish the people OF Hawaii with
facilities under national control. for their
export and import trade 1t will be con-
ceded that the present situation calls for
legislation which shall be prompt, dur
able and liberal.
The part which American merchant YES
sells and their seamen performed in the
war demonstrates that this service, which
defense, is a national necessity and should
be encouraged in every cons titutiOnal way.
Details and methods for the accomplish
ment of this purpose are discussed in the
report of the secretary of the treasury.
to which the attention of congress is re-
spectfully invited.