The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1900-02-26
SENATE TERRITORIAL Bill
NOW UNDER CONSIDERATION BY
THE SENATE.
Few Changes Made-Warren VIII
Amend Franchise-Burrows Wants 20
Per Cent on Sugar.

WASHINGTON, February 16.-Com-
uaratively few changes will be made in
the Cullom Hawaiian bill which is now
under consideration in the Senate. This
measure which will be the organic act
of the new territory of Hawaii, was
framed by the Hawaiian Commission,
consisting of Senators Cullom, Morgan
and Representative fiitt, which visited
the islands in the summer of 1898. In
one respect, however, the Senate has
already shown a disposition to amend
the bill. AS il now stands the acts of
the Legislature, except by the veto OF
the Governor and a review by the
courts. are final. This gives to the ter
ritory of Haweii much larger measure
of self-government than the territories
of New Mexico, Arizona and Oklahoma
and the territories which have been adj
mitted to statehood in recent years have
ever enjoyed for, in all of those terri
tories. the acts of the Legislature were
subject to ratification by Congress.
The feeling of many Senators is
against granting to the new territory
in the Pacific so much creator control
of it's affairs than New Mexico, for eN-
ample. which has been territory 70"
half century enjoys, and it was in
timated this afternoon by Senator Plat
of Connecticut that when the proper
time arrived he would move for the in
sertion in the Cullom bill of provision
similar to- that which obtains in the
organic acts of the existing territories
One other amendment has been Sug-
gested by Senator Warren, but there is
reason to believe that it will be the sub
iect of some debate. The Cullom bill
provides for property qualihcation Tor
voters, but Senator Warren proposes
that the Legislature of Hawaii after
January 1, 1903 may submit to the law
fully qualified voters of that territory
such changes and notifications in the
qualifications for electors as it may see
fit, and upon the adoption by a majority
vote of such notifications they shall
ecome valid and binding.
There is also a disposition to shorten
the terms of the Judges of the Supreme
Court of Hawaii, which the bill fixes at
nine years. These Judges are to be
appointed by the Governor, who in turn
is appointed by the President. In the
Territories now existing the Chief JUS
tice and Associate Justices of the Terri
toral Supreme Court are all appointed
10y the President.
The Judicial system in Hawaii will
consist OF a supreme Court of The Ierrl-
tory and a separate and distinct United
States District Court presided over by
Judge appointed by the President
Some Senators believe the judicial sys-
closely with the present territorial sys-
TEN, although members of the Ha-
Waiian Commission are of the opinion
that it is best to leave conditions in
the islands as nearly as possible like
those that prevailed before annexation.
1t has become known in the last few
days that the beet sugar interests rep
resented by the OXnards of Nebraska
and California will try to secure the
imposition of a % per cent duty on Ha-
waiian sugar as a protective meaSul e
for the benefit of the beet sugar grow
Crs of the United States. They have
taken the reports Of the House and Sen
ate committees on the Porto Rican bill,
providing for a leVying of 25 per cent
duty both ways on imports and exports
between Porto Rico and the United
states. Hawaiian sugar has had free
access to the markets of the United
States for the last fifteen years under
the reciprocity treaty and such a step
as the beet sugar men propose would
lie radical departure
The question also arises whether the
United States having acquired the Ha-
Waiian islands under the treaty, and the
Cullom bill expressly extending the
Constitution of the United States to the
islands, it will be possible to impose any
customs duties upon trade between the
| islands and the mainland. NeVerthe-
! less, it is known that Senator Burrows
/ of Michigan is prepared to offer such an
amendment when the proper time ar
riVeS.
The Republican caucus OF the Senate
! this morning decided to add the Alaska
code bill to the party programme of
| legislation contemplated at this session
! next in order to the three measures al
ready decided upon-the Hawaiian bill,
Foraker bill for Porto Rico and the
Spooner Philippines bill. Senator Chan
dlor attempted to secure right of way
for the Quay case, and claimed that it
was privileged matter under the rules.
That much was conceded, but the
| friends of the Alaska code bill prevailed
and the Quay case may be Indefinitely
! shelved.