New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-01-25
CLEVELAND AND HAWAII.
SENATOR MORGAN RAISES A QUESTION
OF VERACITY.
A TART REPLY TO THE Ex-PREsIDENTs DENIAL
OF STATEMENTS THAT HE FA-
voRED ANNEXATION.
Icy rELEGRApH TO THE TRIBUNE.

voRED ANNEXATION
rpY TELEGRAPH TO THE rR:BUNE.l
Washington, Jan 2-One Of the most Inter
esting Incidents of to-day's session Of the Senate
was the rejoinder made by Senator Morgan to
a recent interview credited to ex-Presdent
Cleveland. In which he fatty denied that he had
ever favored the acquisition or annexation of
Hawaii by the United States. Mr.. Morgan had
been reported saying In executive session
that Mr. Cleveland had during his first
administration. and subsequently. ap-
proved the annexation project. The Alabama
Senator showed some asperity In the com
ments he made this afternoon on Mr. Cleve-
lands tortuous Hawaiian record-a record which
after five years remains one OF the single blots
on an Administration freely enough marked by
blunders OF Judgment and policy. 1t is unfortu-
nate that the full history OF the Hawaiian re-
storaton has never been written, for Mr.. Nor
gan's speech contained many hailf-vened hints,
which II pursued, might develop some now-hd-
den facts OF unusual personal and political In
terest.
Mr. Morgan referred 10 a dispatch from
Princeton ~ j.. published yesterday. quoting
ex-President Cleveland as denying statement
said to have been made by Mr.. Morgan In an
executive session OF the Senate TO the effect
that Mr.. Cleveland once In favor OF the
annexation of Hawaii. Mr.. Morgan said that
he could not discuss his statements. made
in executive session. NO statement for pub
lcation was made BY me- he said; hence
Mr. Cleveland. In accepting such state
ment without first ascertaining from me what
the facts were. shows his Willingness to accept
ex-parte statements In Hawaiian matters" Mr..
! Morgan said that 1t we'll known TO some
OF Mr.. Cleveland's friends during his first Ad-
n,inistration that he was in favor not only OF
the annexation Of Hawaii but also OF CUBA.
"I cannot" declared Mr. Morgan, accept Mr..
Cleyelands statement that he was always OPP
posed to Hawaiian annexation. l can name at
least one confidential friend of Mr. Cleveland
who Will support me in the belief that that
statement is not true
MIR Morgan then presented an extended re-
view of Mr. Ceveland's connection as Presi-
oent with Hawaiian affairs. In the course Of
which he denounced the accrediting of Special
Commissioner Blount to the Government at
Honolulu as a piece Of dupcity without paral-
lei"
At great length Mr.. Morgan read the corre-
spondence between Minister Willis and the Ha-
wa,ian Government and with ex-Queen Liliuo-
kalani Mr. Morgan then said that Mr.. Cleve-
land after the correspondence had been submit
ted TO him. seeing that he had a man (Mr. Doie)
to deal with who was Incapable Of dishonesty or
intrigue, retired from the field ana shoudered
the whole Hawaiian matter upon Congress. The
Senator declared his belief that Mr.. Cleveland,
IN endeavoring 20 reinstate Liliuokalani, had
in view. as Secretary Marcy once had, the an
nexation Of the Islands TO the United states ana
the pensonlng of the ex-Queen.
Mr. Morgan said that he had no desire 70
argue the matter. feeling we'll assured that the
.rrresnondence he had read not only established
{ - fact .hae tfr. Cleveland was coverty con-
sldering the question OF annexation but that
his action In regard to Hawaii was lasting dis
grace 10 this country. Mr. Morgan reiterated
his belief that Mr. Cleveland was in favor OF
annexation, hut that Mr.. Dole's honesty forced
the President to abandon his policy OF over
throwing the Provisional Ha waiian Government.
THE correspondence | have read. he said,
"ays the foundation for the broad predicate
that Mr. Cleveland was capable OF declaring
one policy and intending to carry into effect
another"
Mr. White O)em.. CALI facetiously referred to
Mr. MOrgan's discussion OF the Hawaiian ques-
ton in open session, and declared that the
Senator's remarks showed the utter futility or
connning the discussion OF such matters TO the
executive session OF the Senate.
Mr.. Bacon Dem. Ga) said he had understood
Mr. Morgan 10 say that Mr.. Blount was not
appointed Minister 10 the Hawaiian Government
because he could not have been confirmed by
the Senate. After some cOOquy Mr.. Morgan
denied any intention TO convey such an idea
ard EXPRESSED the belief that any Democratic
Senate would have confirmed Mr.. Biount TO any
plaCp