Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-03-16
CONGRESSMAN TAwNEY REPLIES TO
CONGRESSMAN JOHNSON.
WHY WE SHOULD HAVE HAWAII.
TO REJECT HER, SAYS MR.. TAwNEY,
WOULD BE A CRIME.
Annexation the Settled Policy OF the
Republican Party-COnditiOn of
Cotton Industry Discusscd-
POstOfice ApprOprin-
tiOn Bill Up.

Washington, March 15.-The house agreed
to-day to consider the bill for the relief
of the legal heirs of the victims and sur
rivors of the Maine disaster as soon as
tie postoffice appropriation BILL which was
taken up in the house to-day, is out of
the way.
During the general debate on the post
office bill, members eagerly took advantage
of the latitude allowed in committee of the
whole on the state of the Union to discuss
various political questions and the debate
accordingly covered a wide range. Messrs.
Griggs. Democrat. of Georgia, and Walker,
Republican. of Massachusetts, discussed
the conditions of the cotton industry and
MIR. Tawney, Republican, of Minnesota.
member of the ways and means committee,
replied to the speech of Mr.. johnson, Re-
publican, of Indiana, made some time ago
against the advisability of annexing the
Hawaiian islands.
AT the opening of the session, the speak
er recognized Mr.. Boutelle, Republican, of
Maine. chairman of the naval committee.
to call up the bill for the relief of the
victims and survivors of the Maine disas-
ter. The bill provides for the payment to
the legal heirs of those who lost their lives
equal to twelve months sea pay of the
deceased. and the reimbursement to the
survivors to the value of personal effects
lost, not to exceed in amount a sum equal
to twelve months sea pay.
The consideration of the bill required
unanimous consent. Mr.. Loud. Republican,
of California, said the bill was important.
There was general law which covered
such cases and a special act should re-
ceive deliberate consideration.
Mr.. Boutelle said that the passage Of the
bill was demanded by public sentiment
said there a
pressing necessity for the relief of the suf-
ferers of this terrible disaster. Benefit per-
formances were being held and subscrip-
tions were being raised all over the coun-
try for the relief of the widows and or
phans of the victims.
Mr.. Loud objected.
THAT is the gentleman's privilege under
the rules said Mr.. Boutelle.
Il object to the latter's remark" said
Mr.. Loud. "and ask that it be stricken
from the record
1t was finally arranged by unanimous
consent that the bill should be considered
as soon as the postoffice appropriation bill
was out of the way.
Mr.. Danforth, Republican, of Ohio. chair
man of the committee on immigration,
called attention to the fact that he had
given notice some time ago that he would
to-day call up the immigration bill. He
bill was, and the speaker informed him
that it was on the speakers table and
could be called up at any time when a priv
ileged matter was not before the house..
On motion of Mr.. Loud. the house then
went into committee of the whole and took
up the postofice appropriation bill.
Mr.. Loud, in charge of the bill, explained
it's provisions briefly. 1t carried $685. 800.
being 1855. .3N less thartthe estimates. and
rra Nf,,tt Ian <Na
the current year.
Mr., Bromwell, Republican, Of Ohio. made
an extended speech against the appropria-
ton for special mail facilities from Boston
to New Orleans.
The general debate was not confined to
the subjects In the bill.
Mr.. Griggs, Democrat. of Georgia, con-
| tributed some remarks upon the mooted
question Of the relative advantages pos
| sessed by the cotton manufacturers of the
vantages possessed by the latter were not
| due to the longer hours OF labor OF their
| operatives.
| future would manufacture as well as grow
the cotton crop of the world. He warned
New England that she must abandon the
Mr.. Griggs criticised some utterances Of
| Speaker Reed and Mr.. Dingley and ere
ated much enthusiasm on the Democratic
At the conclusion of his speech an ar
rangement was made to close the DEBATE at
| o'clock to-morrow. :. -.,
| a happy day for the republic when South
ern member arose on the hoor and spoke OF
| the great manufacturing Industries OF the
South in competition with those OF the
| North. 1t was a day We had been waiting
for since the Pilgrims landed. No section
would rejoice more that the South had
entered the lists than New England.
1--WE shall suffer from Southern compete
ton temporarily" said he. 1--WE may have
| to reduce wages temporarily, we may have
permanently, but we glory in this South
ern competition because it shows the ce-
| menting of the common country we love 20
Mr.. Tawney 7; 'ublcan. of Minnesota.
then got the floor -ead replied to a speech
delivered by Mr.. Johnson. Republican. OF
nexation Of the Hawaiian Islands. He
"Mr. Chairman:-When a member of
this asa the Gi pasy
Of the government. he should be able to
justify his position by facts or logic and
not rely upon the rhythmic eloquence OF
therefore. that listened few days ago
to the vigorous assault Of the gentleman
from Indiana CMr: Johnson) upon the policy
of his president, his party and his country
respecting that group of beautiful Islands,
securely anchored in the bosom of the
Pacific. now asking that over them We eN-
terd the sovereignty and the flag of the
United States. In common with my col
leagues of the house, I expected to hear
some cogent reason. some potential argu-
ment in support of his opposition to annexa-
ton but 7 listened in vain.
"Under the authority of the constitution
and following the leadership of such Re-
pubcans as Grant. Seward. Blaine and
Harrison and in obedience to the platform
of his party. President Mckinley has ac-
cepted these islands. freely rendered to the
United States by competent authority. The
gentleman from Indiana is apparently con-
tent with a vigorous denunciat ton of this
policy The logic of his position is the
absolute abandonment Of these islands. or
1t is nothing.
Ever since the islands of Hawaii have
been factor in International politics. all
American statesmen and all political par
ties have regarded their commercial and mil
itary advantages of such peculiar value to
the United States that they deemed it
necessary to adopt and enforce the policy
of not allowing any foreign power to in
terfere with. control or coloniZe them.
Since 1872 nine presidents have declared
that no foreign power should dominate the
islands.
Notwithstanding the ability of the men
who inaugurated this policy. notwithstand-
ing its continued enforcement by all polt-
ical parties and by the foremost statesmen