The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-12-06
lost its gift of benediction in it's world
wide journey to their shores.
HAWAIIAN ISLANDS.
Urgent Necessity for the Immediate
Action of Congress.

Urgent Necessity for the Immediate
Action of Congress,
Some embarrassment in administra-
ton has occurred by reason of the pc
culiar status which the Hawaiian ISL
ands at present occupy under the joint
resolution of annexation approved July
Z, 1898. While by that resolution the
republic of Hawaii as an independent
nation was extinguished, it's separate
sovereignty destroyed and it's property
and possessions vested in the United
States, yet a complete establishment
for its government under our system
was not effected. While the municipal
laws of the islands not enacted for the
fulfllment Of treaties and not incon-
sistent with the joint resolution or
contrary to the constitution of the
United States or any of its treaties re-
main in force, yet these laws relate
only to the social and internal affairs
of the island and do not
touch any subjects of impor-
national character. For example, the
Hawaiian republic was Invested of all
title to the public lands in the islands
and is not only unable to dispose of
lands to settlers desiring to take up
homestead sites, but it is without pow
er to give complete title in cases where
lands have been entered upon under
lease or other conditions which carry
with them the right to the purchaser.
lessee or settler to have a full title
granted to him upon compliance with
the conditions prescribed by law or by
his particular agreement of entry.
Questions of doubt and difficulty
have also arisen with reference to the
collection of tonnage tax en- vessels
coming from Hawaiian ports; with ref
erence to the status of the Chinese
in the islands, their entrance and exit
therefrom; as to patents and copy
rights; as to the register of vessels
under the navigation laws; as to the
necessity of holding elections in accord
ance with the provisions of the Hawaii
an statutes for the choice of various
officers, and as to several other mat
tiers of detail touching the interests
both of the islands and Of the federal
government.
BY the resolution of annexation the
president was directed to appoint five
commissioners to recommend to con-
gress such legislation concerning the
islands as they should deem necessary
or proper. The commissioners were du-
ly appointed and after a careful inves-
tigation and study of the system of
laws and government prevailing in the
islands and the conditions existing
there, they prepared a bill to provide
a government under the title of "the
territory Of Hawaii" The report Of the
commission, with the bill which they
prepared, was transmitted by me to
congress on December 6, 1898, but the
bill still awaits final action.
The people of these islands are en-
titled to the benefits and privileges of
our legislation, but in the absence of
any act of congress providing for fed
eral courts in the islands, and for
procedure by which appeals, writs of
error and other judicial proceedings
necessary for the enforcement of civil
rights may be prosecuted, they are
powerless to secure their enforcement
by the judgment of the courts of the
United States. 1t is manifoldly m
portant, therefore, that an act should
be passed as speedily as possible erect
ing these islands into a judicial dis
trict, providing for the appointment OF
a judge and other proper officers and all
methods of procedure in appellate pro-
ceedings and that the government of
this newly acquired territory under the
federal constitution shall be fully de-
fined and provided for.