The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1898-04-13
THE REGISTRY BILL PASSES ANDREE IS HEARD FROM
TREATED AS AN ANNEXATION
MEASURE.
Senator Hooking Asks by What Au-
thority the Carter Memorial Foun-
tain is Placed on Public Land.

The new vessel registry bill passed
third reading in the Senate this morn
| ing by vote of to 3. Those voting
aye were:
Lyman, Northrup, Hooking, Bald
win, Brown, McCandless, Schmidt,
Wright and Wilcox.
I Those voting no were:
kauhane, Waterhouse and Rice.
Minister Cooper complied with the
resolution passed i'm the Senate YES
terday requesting copies of all com
munications between this government
and that of the United States relat-
ing to the Hawaiian registration of
vessels. The first of these was a let
ter from American Minister Sewal
asking for information on the subject
the status of the application for the
registry of the China. then pending
and the policy of the government.
Continuing he said that it was not
by accident that the Reciprocity Trea-
ty was saved in 1876. but by the hard
work of friends. and it would be by
hard work of similar friends that the
Annexation Treaty would he saved.
Right after the signing of the treaty
in June last. he issued a general order
to the Consuls of the Republic instruc-
ting them to discontinue the practice
Of issuing certificates of provisional
registration, commonly known as sea
letters. There was no law requiring
the issue of these letters, though they
were recognized by international law.
Minister Hatch in July reported that
the wholesale registration of foreign
vessels would cost the treaty several
votes from New England. The same
advices had been received from other
friends of annexation. Minister Sew
all had called upon him in regard to
the same matter. Minister Hatch on
his return in October spoke to the
same effect. The Executive had been
guided solely by a desire to save the
treaty, and to retain the support of
its friends. The American govern
ment had in no way attempted to die
tate legislation to Hawaii. To legis-
late in the interest of Hawaii as had
been suggested blythe opponents of
this bill as the duty of the Legisla-
ture was to legislate so as to retain
their friends, who objected to whole
sale registration of vessels where the
real ownership was not in citizens OF
the Republic. 1t was i'll timed to in
dulge in legislation hostile to the trea-
ty as a means of showing independ-
ence. The treaty was not out of the
woods yet, and 'if annexation fails
we may have taste of independence
that we will not like
Senator Waterhouse moved that the
bill be indefinitely postponed. This
motion was lost. and the bill passed.
Senator Schmidt explaining his vote,
said that while,opposed to some Of the
conditions of the bill, he should vote
for it on the representations made by
the Minister of Foreign Affairs.
The emergency bill appropriating
S27,50O for the repair of roads and
bridges on Oahu and Kauai, damaged
by the floods. passed third reading.
Senator McCandleSs presented an
inquiry addressed to the Minister of
the Interior. if bids had been asked
for the excavation of the Pacific Mail
slip: whether any bids had been re-
ceived and their amount, and the
quantity and character of the mate
rial eNcavated.
The Public Lands Committee re-
ported on the supports for the Dia-
mond Head light house, that while it
might be strong enough to support
the light it was in an exposed posi-
tion, constantly affected by deteirIor-
ating conditions. At il was a struct-
ure that in its character ought to be
permanent, the committee recon-
mended that a strong structure of
masonry should be built around the
iron supports, protecting and giving
additional support to the light. An
additional appropriation of $500 was
recommended and the report of the
committee was approved
letter was read from American
Minister Sewall conveying the thanks
and appreciation of the American gov
ernment for the resolution of condo
lence passed by the Hawaiian Legis-
lature on the Maine disaster.
Senate Bills Nos. 30 and %. the loan
bill and the bill making appropria-
tions from surplus revenues, were ta-
ken up, and sundry items acted on.
\ number of House bills were read
for the first time and referred to APP
propriate committees.
Senator Hooking asked the Minis
ter of the Interior by what authori-
ty "A part of Union Square had been
set aside for monument to private
citizen, referring to the construction
now in progress of the memorial
fountain to Charles l.. Carter.
IN THE HOUSE.
I,,,l. 4.