New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-12-30
LEGISLATION FOR HAWAII.
A SHARP CONTEST EXPECTED IN THE
HOUSE.
DISAGREEMENT BETWEEN THE MAJORITY AND
MINORITY OF THE COMMITTEE ON
TERRITORIES

TERRITORIES.
Washington. Dec. 20-A sharp contest VIII
occur in the House over the legislation FOR the
government OF Hawaii as the majority ana
minority OF the Committee on Territories do not
agree on the form OF a bill Neither do the ma :
jority agree with the report of the Senate Com
mittee on Foreign Relations, although the dr.
ferences are not such as to cause great diff
Guilty. The majority report OF the House com
mlttee changes the bill introduced by Mr. Hitt
ONLY slightly. with the exception OF the quail
Hcations for Senator's and Representatives.. The
property qualifications are stricken out and any
citizen who ls a voter. and has been a resident
OF Hawaii for three years Is eligible Those who
were citizens Of Hawaii on August IL. lS''S, are
made citizens Of the United States. One house
will not be allowed TO constitute the Legislature
In case the other adjourns, nor Will II be neces-
sary 10 have the sanction Of three members 10
Introduce a bill In the Legislature. The Dele
gate TO Congress shall possess the same quallf'-
cations as a voter Bonds issued on the credit
OF the public domain shall be payable in not less
than five nor more than fifteen years. one
years residence must be proved TO obtain a
divorce.
The minority report prepared by II. r.
Ferguson the Delegate from New Mexico who
ia a member OF the subcommittee. Mr.. Henry,
Of Texas has also a minority memorandum, out
is row absent. The report says the minority II
unable to agree 70 some features OF the Dill IN
troduced and approved by the majority OF that
subcommittee. and 1t continues:
II Is important TO emphasize the fact That new
territory az acquired should be governed as other
Territories OF the United States have been from the
foundation OF the Government. with the view 20
ultimate admission 20 Statehood Upon this theory
ally the same form o. government as has been in
other Territories OF the United States and the i'm
Unfinished by the imminent Philippine question. New
territory which feel Is untitled. either from the
character OF It's population or because or It's dis
lance from OR shores. for Statehood In the Union
ought 10 be left alone entirely. $3.50
We therefore object the provision OF the bill
making the Supreme Court Of the Territory OF IA
wall Judge Of the membership OF the House OF the
Territorial Legislature Of Hawaii. We believe that
each house should be The final Judge OF the quail
ncation of its members The innovation not only
the three great branches OF government Executive.
conrt TO the level Of political sauabbles and artisan
braws. IL tends also TO Increase the already Van
ernment
We also object to the property qualification for
wall. This qualification also extends to the voters
for members OF that branch OF the Legislature.
OF wealth to govern and IL certainly dangerous
tendency In Republic already threatened by the
dence OF three years in Hawaii IS also necessary
FOR one TO become qualified voter. As our desire
-, should be. TO AmercaniZe those Islands. We
think residence OF even Legs than one year would
be preferable.
We think also that too great power ~ given TO
the Governor: especially We object TO his being en-
powered to nominate part OF the judiciary OF that
island for life We believe that all the judges. rs
In Other Territories OF the United States should
be appointed by the President and from the bona,
fide resident bar OF the Territory. for term OF
four years. lf life judges are TO be appointed at
all. they should be appointed b. the President.
There are other minor points Of differec,e be-
tween the minority and majority Of the sub
committee, but the above are the principal ones.
The minority make no objection TO the educa
tional qualification for citizenship. az they be-
lieve this has worked well in the South.