Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1900-02-12

Continued From Second Page.
IN 1892 the last election under the
monarchy there were 14,217 registered
voters but under the republic at the
last election there were but 1888 regis
tered voters, 1,126 Havaiians. 400
Americans 247 British, the others Ger
mans, Portuguese and Norwegians.
The bill proposes to strike out the
disqualifications made under the repub-
lie to permanently disfranchise many
of the Inhabitants, especially native
supporters of the monarchy. Biennial
sessions of the legislature are provided.
The number of representatives is dou-
bled to make it a more popular body.
The total authorized indebtedness is
limited to seven per cent OF the as
sessed valuation of the property Of the
islands.
The report says amendment striking
out all property qualifications for cleo
tors of senators was made on account
Of great opposition made to this pro-
vision, both in the committee and by
representatives. 1t appeared that such
a qualification had heretofore existed
in Hawaii and this fact had been salu-
tary; and 1t is hoped that this amed-
ment will not unfavorably affect either
the character of so important a body
as the Senate of Hawaii or ever be the
means OF vicious legislation.
The provision that the Governor of
the territory of Hawaii shall be a cit
izen of the territory was inserted for
the reason that it was deemed advis-
able that the governor of a territory so
remote and where conditions were SO
different from those prevailing in the
mainland, should have a greater famil-
iarity with the needs of the territory
he was to govern than mere indefinite
residence would assure.
The report says the provisions Of
the bill relating to the public lands of
Hawaii, continuing the Hawaiian land
laws in force and ratifying and con-
corning the transactions made since
annexation have received the careful
attention of the committee.
The report discusses the judicial sys-
tenn now existing in Hawaii, conclud-
ing that it is wise and safe to provide
for the organization of the territory
of Hawaii by substantially continuing
them as now existing under the repub-
lie Of Hawaii, and this has been done
in the present bill.
Provision is made for the admin
~istration of the evenue and tariff laws
of the United States. which are the
laws governing Hawaii, when the pres
ent bill shall become a law. The ex-
tension of the customs laws and reg
ulations of the United States to the
islands will be of great advantage to
the United States, in that it increases
the production of goods imported from
the United States into Hawaii as
against foreign nations and thus also
increases the amount of duties which
will be received and which go to the
United States.
The annexation Of the Hawaiian ISL
ands in the future will be of great ad-
vantage to the United States CONNER
cially as it already has been.
The exports of the United States to
the Hawaiian islands for eleven months
ending with November, were $685.
920; in 1898, $5,S91,7 55; in 1899, s10,-
206,157. The imports for the same
periods from the Hawaiian islands into
the United States were in 1897, $15,-
1O4, 242; in 1898, SIG, ASS, III; in 1899,
$21, 672, 062. The report says that wheth-
er it be true as a general proposition
that trade follows the flag, certainly in
relation to Hawaii it may be t%ruthfully
said that trade has followed the flag.