The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1900-04-25
THE BILL.

The Hawaiian Bill, in all probability
has ere this passed both houses, and !
become law and we are now actually
a territory of the United States. On
April the seventeenth, the conference
committee finished it's work and the
House measure, with certain modifica-
tiOns will become our fundamental law.
The report of the committee was to go
i'm April the nineteenth and would at
once be acted upon.
We may of course find fault with
certain clauses in the bill, but it is now
in our own hands to work out and
make the best of. 1t is certainly salts
factory to think that an end has come
to the period of uncertainty under
which we have lived, and that we now
stand upon an absolutely firm basis.
The main point in all the anxiety
over the bill has been the tariff ques-
ton. Would Congress treat us as an
Integral part of the United States, or
would it make a barrier in the matter
of our sugar industry. The passage Of
the bill settles that question once for
ali. The sugar growers of the Islands
reed never again tremble lest some
high duty would bar their market. The
days of anxiety which have turned
many mans hair grey here, are past
and done. There never can be any
tariff put upon our sugars.
The era of prosperity is upon us. The
Hawaiian Islands will increase in pro-
5uctive power and with their produc-
lion their population will increase.
There opens forth before ones eye
vista of success such as was never
dreamed of quarter of a century ago.
Everything is favorable for us, it only
rests with ourselves to make the best
of our advantages. The apple of pros
perity which seemed to be out of reach,
is at the present moment actually fall
ing into our laps.
The Objectionable features of the
House bill have been toned down. The
silly amendment of De Almond of Mis-
souri, has been struck out. 1t was
utterly impracticable and in the words
of the telegram would invite a serious
and needless breach with Japan" 1t is
doubtful whether De Almond ever gave
his amendment any serious thought
Hawaii will, in future, have a legal
right to be represented in Congress by
a delegate, who will have the right to
debate upon affairs connected with the
Islands. Here is a worthy object of
ambition to the rising generation. To
he member of one of the most power
full legislative bodies of the world is
an honor that any one might aspire
to. Representation in Congress binds
us the more strongly to the United
States, we feel with it that we are truly
part and parcel of the Great Republic
and that our interests are one and in
Invisible. It is indeed entering upon a
great birth right and it is a condition
of which we have the greatest reason
TO be proud. ~
The prohibition clause has been soft
ened down to a local option matter
which Is perfectly just. People have "a
right to vote whether the liquor traffic
should be continued or not. The bill
will give the opportunity for a temper
ance campaign which is as it should
be. The Objectionable feature in the
prohibition amendment was that pro-
hibition was being forced upon us from
the outside. This aroused the opposi-
tion of even the staunchest local pro-
hibitionists. AS the matter stands now,
there can be no objection made by
either side.
The extension of the coastng laws is
changed from one years suspension,
10 immediate application. This will
effect some of the through lines to the
Orient, especially the Japanese, and
will undoubtedly call forth some pro-
test. But there is not likely to be any
modification and Japan may protest to
her hearts content.
The bill is to go into effect forty-five
Gays after it has been approved by the
President, so in a little less than six
weeks we shall in all probability be
finding out how we like our new situa-
ton, and how the organic law works.
That it viii work well every one hopes
and most of US believe There will be
some little rawness at first, no doubt,
but things win soon smooth themselves
out, and with ever increasing prosper
ity we shall all bless the day which
made us an integral portion of the
Great Republic.
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