The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-04-18
AGREEMENT REACHED.
Plan of Government For Hawaii
Adopted in Committee.

Washington, April 1S-After extended
meeting, unanimous agreement was re-
ported by the house and senate confereeS
on the Hawaiian government bill. The
senate conferees yielded to the house mea-
senate bill, as a whole, although a num-
Der of amendments were made In the
nam the form OF goVernment as hnaLy
determined upon Is that provided by the
house. The chief amendments are in pro-
viding a district court instead of the fed
eral court organized under general laws,
and the striking out of the house provi-
sion pOStpOning for one year the time for
applying the coasting laws to Hawaii The
prohibition of saloons in Hawaii as pro-
vided by the house bill, is retained in
modified form, in effect leaving the mat
ter to local option. The house provisions
as to the land laws are retained, includ-
ing the amendment of Representative
of land to be held by corporation to 1000
acres. The other Newlands amendment
providing for a commission to investigate
the labor question in Hawaii Is changed
so that Commissioner of Labor Wright
will conduct the inquiry The appoint
ment of circuit judges, which was the sub
ject of rather earnest difference, was fin
ally decided by leaving the appointments
with the president.
The bill establishes a. complete form of
government for the islands, with a gov
ernOr and other executive officers, a leg
islature of two branches and a judicial
/ branch consisting of supreme court, cir
cult courts and inferior courts. The bill
provides that Hawaii shall be represented
IN Congress Dy delegate, VINO SnalI
have a seat in the house of representa-
| ttveS with a right to debate, but not a
| vote. The delegate to congress is to be
/ chosen at an election of the people. There
4 is no tariff provision in the bill, as the
] tariff laws of the United States are ex-
! tended over the island and the territory of
/ Hawaii is specifically made "a customs
district of the United States" with ports
/ of entry at Honolulu, Hilo, Mahukona and
| Kahului.
As to the crown lands. which have been
a source of some controversy, it is pro-
I vided:
That the portion of the public domin-
ion heretofore known as crown lands is
hereby declared to have been, on August
1 r. 1898, and prior thereto, the property
/ of the Hawaiian government, and to be
/ free and clear from any trust Of or con-
corning the same, and from all claim OF
any nature whatsoever upon the rents. is
| sues and profits thereof It shall be sub
| ject to alienation and other uses as may
be provided by law.
The Chinese on the island are given one
year to obtain certificates of residence
but the cOnferees struck out the amend
/ ment inserted by Representative De AR,
/ mond, (Mo). providing that -'all Chinese
/ and other Asiatics arriving since the IS
/ land acquired by the United Stat 3
| shall depart within one year or else bt
deported by the government" This lattel
provision was omitted in view of the be
| lief that the Japanese have secured
treaty status in Hawaii and that theil
forcibly deportation by the United State.
would invite a serious and needless breacl
with Japan.