The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-03-05

-
nishes the only justification for taxing the peo-
ple. we announce a truth so plain that It's de-
NAL would seem to indicate the extent TO
which judgment may be Influenced by famil-
iarity with perversions OF the taxing power
As we shall point out. this declaration did not
cause Mr.. Cleveland to veto the Wilson 1urifT
bill, after that measure had been remodelled In
the Senate on protectionist principles. Pro-
ceeding, however. In order. we should first
note that. hve DAYS after entering Office. he
withdrew the treaty OF annexation between tho
United States and the Provisional Government
OF the Hawaiian Islands, which had been trans
mitted by Mr.. Harrison to the Senate. His first
annual message contained what purported to
be an explanation OF his conduct In the prem
ises. After recalling the fact that he had with
drawn the annexation treaty for examination.
he proceeded to say that he had despatched
the Hon. James Fl Blount OF Georgia to Homo
lulu as a special commissioner. to make an i'm
partial investigation Of the circumstances at
tending the change of government and OF all tho
conditions bearing uron tho subject Of the
treaty. After n thorough and exhaus-
tive examination. Mr.. Blount submitted
to me his report, showing beyond all
question that the constitutional Government
OF Hawaii had been subverted with the active
aid OF our representative to that Government
and through the intimidation caused by
the presence OF an armed naval force of
the United States, which was landed for that
purpose at the instance OF our Minis
ter. Upon the facts developed. II seemed
to me that the only honorable course for
our Government to pursue was to undo the
wrong that had been done by those represent
ing us and to restore. as far as possible. the
status existing at the time OF our forcible in
PREVENTION. With n view Of accomplishing this
result within the constitutional limits OF execu-
tive power. and recognizing all our obligations
and responsibilities growing out of any changed
conditions brought about by our unjustinable
Interference. our present Minister at Honolulu
has received appropriate instructions to that
end. Thus far no information OF the accom-
plishment Of any definite results has been re-
ceived from him.
On Dec. 18, 1893. additional information was
transmitted by Mr.. Cleveland to Congress in a
special message In which. after marking the
main features of a report made by Mr.. Blount.
who had been despatched to Honolulu as a
Commissioner the President expressed the
belief that a candid and thorough examina-
ton OF the facts will force the conviction that
the Provisional Government Iof Hawaii owes
its existence to an armed invasion by the
United States. Fair minded people. with the
evidence before them. will hardly claim that
the lmonarchicall Hawaiian Government was
overthrown by the people OF the islands. or that
the Provisional Government had ever existed
with their consent" Mr.. Cleveland went on to
acknowledge that, without having received any
authority from Congress for the act. he had de-
termined to reinstate Queen Liliuokalani upon
certain conditions. but that. as such conditions
had not been accepted by her. he referred the
settlement OF the affair to Congress. We quote
the most important paragraph Of the message:
Il instructed Minister Willis to advise the
n,..N - A-I ~.
In the restoration OF the status existing before
the lawless landing of the United States forces
at Honolulu on the 18th of January last. IL such
restoration could be effected on terms provid-
ing for clemency as we'll as justice to all parties
concerned. The conditions suggested. as the
instructions show. contemplate a general am
nesty to those concerned in setting up the Pro-
~visional Government and a recognition Of all
its bona Jfde acts and obligations. In short.
they require that the past should be buried
and that the restored Government should re-
assume its authority as II its authority had not
been interrupted. These conditions have not
has been informed that they will be insisted
upon and that, unless aooeded to. the efforts |
OF the President to aid In the restoration OF her |
Government will cease. l have not thus far
learned that she is willing to yield them her ac-
quiescence. The check which my plans have
thus encountered has prevented their presen-
tation to the members Of the Provisional
Government. while unfortunate public mis-
representations Of the situation and exag-
gerated statements of the sentiments OF our |
people have obviously injured the prospects Of
successful Executive mediation We need
not remind the reader that Congress declined
TO accept Mr.. Cleveland's Hawaiian pro-
gramme and that the latter was. consequent
~. constrained to acknowledge the Hawaiian
revolutionary Government. addressing the
head thereof as his great and good
friend" Recognizing the completeness OF
the disavowal Of his Hawaiian policy by the
people and by Congress. Mr.. Gleve-
land made no reference to it in his second an |
nual message. although this was of extraor-
binary length. covering more than thirty-two
pages OF this volume. All that he found to say
about Hawaii was comprised in the following
lines: Since communicating the luminous
correspondence In regard to Hawaii. and the
action taken by the Senate and House OF Rep |
on certain questions submitted to
the judgmen and wider discretion OF Congress-.
the organization of u Government In place OF |
the provisional arrangement which followed
the deposition OF the Queen has been an
nounced. with evidence of its effective opera |
ton. The recognition usual in such cases has
been accorded the new Government" Sc much
Va Nfo "iOte 'ShA0e "hu 1 III " |
the annexation OF which President |
had approved. and which has since
a fact.
In his first annual message Mr.. Cleveland
had given full approval to the Tariff bill pro-
iected by the committee Of which Represent
alive Wilson was the Chairman. Nor did he
hesitate to omm an income tax. We
luote his exact words: THE committee. after
hull consideration. and to provide against the
deficiency which may exist before
the business Of tho country adjusts itself to
the new tarrf schedule. have wisely embraced
their plan a few additional internal revenue
taxes. including a small tax upon incomes de-
from certain corporate Investments"
The bill, as ultimately passed. was not only re-
as we have said. on protectionist prin-
,iples. but levied a tax upon all individual in
which should exceed a specified mini
mum. Nevertheless. Mr.. Cleveland allowed the
Dill to become a law. and. In his second annual
made no criticism on the income tax,
although no suggested that the Tariff act should