Evening star., 1898-06-15

Sterling Remedy oo.p,,y ie.so xo.,rs. s.~ rsra sa
Gus and their convictions so firm that it
seems hardly possible to avoid an open
rupture II the policy is pressed. The qucs-
uon is a broader one than the mere annex
alton of Hawaii. SOM who would regard
that question with Indifference 81 il stood
by Itself feel that il has acquired an mpo--
tance beyond what they originally attrib-
uted to 1t as consequence of the opera
uons in the PHILIP pines and the designs of
the foreign powers upon Chinese trade IN
Chinese territory. They feel that the ne
cessity for the possession OF the Hawaiian
Islands has now been demonstrated. no
matter what view they may have taken IN
this direction before, and that the question
of what is to be done with the Philippines
is not one to be hastily and fiippantly pass
ed upon by few tyros in politics.
Inopportunc Opposition.
Moreover. they hold that no matter what
view may be taken OF the question of terri
torial acquisition, no set of men occupying
seats in Congress can afford at this time
to embarrass the administration by trying
to excite internal dissensions over the
question of what the terms of peace shall
be. when the war has hardly begun. Ii is
felt that no matter what position may be
taken on the question at the proper time
utterances of this sort now are calculated
they can persist I'm this war without dam
ger of losing their territory. a faction in
this country contendng for its restoration.
In addition to the manifestation Of oppo-
sition by those democrats who refused TO
attend the caucus. the vote of ~ against
30 to adjourn without action disclosed the
spirit of protest against the folly about TO
be committed, and such men as Cochran
Of Missouri, Berry of Kentucky. Living
ston of Georgia. Ehrmentrout of Pennsyl-
vania, Taylor of Alabama and a number OF
Others protested in a most vigorous man.
ner against the resolution. 1t would not be
surprising if fully half the democrats of
the House were to vote for annexation this
evening.
In the Senate. as in the House. the oppo-
sition comes chiefly from democrats and
few populists. with the support of possibly
three or four republicans. The democrats
there are divided. as are the populists.
Such men as German. Morgan. Murphy.
Money, Rawlins and Kenney among the
democrats and Teller. Cannon and Mantle,
their silver republican allies, favor anneXa-
tion and a policy of expansion, and while
Pettigrew is one of the most active oppo-
nents, Stewart, Ky-e. Turner and He:tfeld.
other popuiists. are supporting annexation.
1t is seen by this not only that the demo-
cratic party proper is divided and split uD
over the question, but that there is simi-
lar division in tine ranks Of both the ally
parties, wnIle the republicans are practical
ly solid.
Caucus of House Democrats.
The caucus was held in the House after
adjournment late yesterday afternoon ana
the following resolution was adopted by a
vote of 80 to Ii:
Resolved That IL is the sense of the
democratic party, as represented in the ma
tional House, that annexation of Hawaii
is dangerous and unwisc; that IL reverses
our traditional policy, and We believe it
may lead to colonial ACKNOWLEDGMENT AMI
ultimately to the destruction of republican
institutions"
This action was taken after an hour had
been consumed in discussing the advisa-
bIlity of adopting any resolutions upon the
proposition of annexation. Mr.. Bailey
CTeXSs), Mr.. King tUtah). Mr.. Williams
(Miss.) and Mr.. Dinsmorc (Ark) were the
prominent speakers in advocacy of action.
and Mr.. Sulzer (New York;. Cochran
(Missour) and DeNries California; led I'm
opposition.
Prior to the caucus there was a likelihood
of many democrats favorinE annexation
declining to go into the caucus. fearing
lest they might be placed in a situation
that would require their votes to he cast
in accord with caucus action and contrary
to their convictions. Several of them finally
entered with the distinct understanding
that the action to be taken would be adVis-
DRY rather than mandatory and no demo-
Gratis should be bound by the resolutions.
Mr. Bailey said he had not urged the call
of a caucus TO consider annexation, be
lieving all possible party advantage could
be secured by the majority vote of the
democrats opposing the proposition with
out the formality and possible development
of intcrparty friction incident To a eau
Gus. However. he said, the caucus having
been called, he believed some action should
be taken.
binding Action Advocated.
Mr.. King, Utah, in a minute speech.
boldly advocated making the caucus action
absolutely binding upon all democrats
but withdrew his suPees-
tion upon Lis attention being called vlgor-
ously to the fact that such effect OF
democratic caucus had not been enforced
since the civil war.
Mr.. Sulzer. New York. strongly opposed
any action, declaring it was too late
to endelvor to influence or direct the at
titude of all democrats by a caucus. He
called attention to the caucus held in De
cember and the failure then to consider
the Hawaiian question, outstanding
the likelihood of il coming up at the pres
ent session was recognized. Since then
some democrats had taken position favor
able to annexation and had become no
committed to it; ard for the
party now to act upon the question I'm
caucus and give those democrats the al
of changing front appearing
in the role of party insubordinates would
tie impolitic and unjust.
Mr.. Cochran. Missouri. argued against
the proposed caucus resolutions chiefly
cord with democratic policy and, in
81 mewhat extended speech, he contended
that annexation was really in accord with
the original and recognized principles OF
democracy, providing for the development
Of the country's welfare. He cited the
question as having been mooted i'm the
time of Pierce and urged by Marcy.
Messrs. Williams and Dinsmore argued
for the adoption of the resolutions. con-
tending annexation meant a beginning of
colonization which never would prove
beneftcent or popular, and the democrat
lie position in opposition to its initiation
should be emphasized in caucus action.
Mr. DeNries, California. opposing caucus
action. denied the power of a caucus of
House members to formulate party policy
new question. The national
platform was silent upon Hawaii and in
he absence of platform expression caucus
lction would be usurpation of state and
national convention prerogatives and could
not be binding. House members were he
insisted, TO carry out platform pledges and
lot frame new ones on great national
questions.
The resolution was adopted finally 70
% IL. AS to the effect of the caucus ac-
ion the democratic advocates of annexa-
Ion expressed the opinion that some votes
would be lost.
True Bills Found.
The grand jury has presented the follow