Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1898-12-06
A DULL DAY in CONGRESSIONAL CIRCLES.
France at Last Musters spunk and Sends China an
Ultimatum.
FARMERS AND srocKMEN MEET AT FIT. WORTH

sWAsHINGToN, Dec.-The President
today sent to congress the nomination
of Powell Clayton, of Arkansas, to be
ambassador to Mexico. Senior Romero,
the former Mexican minister, having
been raised to the rank Of ambassador
Ciayton's promotion followed under the
act Of congress.
FOREIGN COMMENT.
LONDON, Dec. 6.-The afternoon
newspapers here express satisfaction at
President McKinley's message with the
exception of his allusion to the Mica
ragua canal, which, to the minds of the
editors, does not show sufficient apprec-
iation of British treaty rights.
RECESS APPOINTMENTS.
The President today sent to the SEN
ate the appointments made during re-
cess, including those of Secretary Hay,
Assistant Secretary Of State Hill, the
Hawaiian commission and the Paris
commissioners.
DAWES WORKING EN-.
< Secretary Bliss received important
official dispatches from Indian Terri
tory indicating the change of sentiment
= on the part of some Indian tribes with
whom the Dawes commission have
been negotiating treaties. The dis
patch also said that the outlook is more
favorable, and that another meeting of
the Cherokee council is about to be
called to frame the treaty. The Creeks
are also said to be preparing to nego-
tiate another treaty.
TO GOVERN HAWAII.
The President today transmitted to
congress the report of the Hawaiian
commission, together with three bills
drawn by the commission for the gov
ernment of the islands as portion of
the United States. The principal bill
outlines the general plan of govern
ment The other two deal with subor-
dinate questions. OF the main bill the
commissioners express the opinion that
1t will prsve to bs "such measure for
the government of the Hawaiian ISL
ands as will best promote the interests
of their people at the same time it pro-
! notes the interests and maintains the
: sovereignty of hepeople Of the United
States
AS TO CITIZENSHIP.
Probably the most important portion
of the bill is the section defining citi-
zenship which provides that:
Gall white persons, including Portu-
guese and persons of African
descent, all persons descending from
the Hawaiian race, either on
the paternal or maternal side, who
were citizens of the republic of
Hawaii Immediately prior to the trans
fer of the sovereignty thereof to the
United States, are hereby declared to
be citizens of the United States
Provision is made for legislature to
consist of two houses, the members to
be elected biennially.
EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATION.
Voters for representatives are re-
quired to be male citizens, 81 years cid,
of one years residence In the territory
and able to "understandingly speak,
read and write the English or Hawaiian
language"
To vote for senators person must in
addition ownreal property worth ST.
900.
The bill provides for the election of a
delegate to congress to possess the same
powers and privileges now accorded
other territorial delegates. The gov
ernor is to appoint the chief justice and
two associate justices of the supreme
court The governor is to possess the
vete power, but his veto may be over
ridden by a two-thirds vote of both
houses of the legislature. The existing
laws of Hawaii not inconsistent with
the constitution aud laws Of the United
States or this act continue in force,
subject to repeal or amendment by the
legislature. The bill also provides that
the constitution and laws of the United
States locally applicable shall have the
same force and effect In The territory
OF Hawaii as elsewhere in the United
States.