The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-02-22
CULLOM'S HAWAIIAN BILL.
WILL FORM ORGANIC LAW OF THE,
ISLAND TERRITORY.
Principal Objections Raised TO Its
Passage Are That II Gives Larger
Measure of self-Government Than
THAT ENJOYED by Old Territories.

lon.s Hawaiian bill. which is now under
consideration in the senate This meas
ure, which will be the organic act OF the
new territory Of Hawaii. was framed oy
the Hawaiian commission. consisting Of
Senator's Cullom, Morgan and Representa-
tive Hit which visited the islands in the
summer of 1895. In one respect however,
the senate has already shown disposition
to amend the bill As IT now stands, the
power OF the legislature, except by the
veto Of the governor and review by the
courts, Is final. This gives to the territory
:. Hawaii a much larger measure OF self
GOV eminent than the territories of New
Mexico, Arizona and Oklahoma and the
territories which have been admitted to
statehood in recent years, have ever en-
loyed, for in all those territories the acts
of the legislature were subject to ratih-
cation by congress.
The feeling OF many senator's is against
granting to the new territory In the Pa
cifc so much greater control Of It's af-
fairs than New Mexico, for example
which has been a territory for half CEN
tury, enjoys. Senator Platt. OF ccnnecti-
cut, has asked for the insertion in the
Culiom bin OF a provision similar tn that
which obtains In organic acts Of the ex-
listing territories.
One other amendment. has been suggest
ed by Senator Warren. but there is reason
to believe that IL will be the subject ~
some debate. The cillom bill provides
for property qualification for voters.
but Senator Warren proposes that the
legislature of Hawaii after January 1 1909
may submit to the lawfully qualified vot-
ers of that territory such changes and
notifications in the qualifications for
electors as II may see IT. and upon the
adoption, by majority vote, az such
notifications they shall become valid and
binding as law
Judicial system Proposed.
There is also disposition 10 shorten the
terms OF the Judges of the supreme court
OF Hawaii. which the bills sets at nine
years. These Judges are to be appointed
by the governor who, In turn, is appoint
ed by the president. In the territories now
existing the chief Justice and the associate
Justices OF the territorial supreme court
are all appointed by the president. but
arrange among themselves the allotment
OF the United States district courts
The judicial system in Hawaii will con-
sist Of supreme court OF the territory
and a separate and distinct United states
district court. presided over by a judge
appointed by the president. IT Is evident
that an effort win be made to make the
judicial system of Hawaii conform more
closely TO the territorial system. although
the members Of the Hawaiian commission
are of the opinion that IL is best to leave
conditions IN the islands as nearly like
those that prevailed before annexation as
possible.
days that the beet sugar interest, repre-
scented by the Oxnards, of Nebraska and
San Francisco, nad I'm mind a purpose to
secure the imposition OF the customs duty
on Hawaiian sugar as protective meas
ure for the benefit of the beet sugar grow
ers OF the United States. They have taken
their cue in this matter proba bly, from the
reports of the house and senate commit
tees on the Puerto Rican bill, providing for
the levying OF a o per cent duty both
ways, on imports and exports, between
Puerto Rico and the United States Ha-
waian sugar has had free access to tie
markets of the United States for the las,
fifteen years, under the reciprocity treaty,
and such step as the beet sugar men
propose would he n radical departure. The
question also arises whether the United
States has acquired the Hawaiian ISL
ands under a treaty. and the Culiom hill
expressly extending the constitution OF the
United States TO the islands will make II
impossible to impose any customs duties
upon trade between the islands and the
mainland Nevertheless. Il is known tina,
Senator Burrows is prepared to offer such
an amendrsnt when the proper time ar
gives.
Puerto Rican mn Opposed.
President Mckinley has decided not 10
press the recommendations made in his
message 70 congress that the goods from
Puerto Rico be admitted into this country
free. This decision was reached after an
extended conference with ConRressmen
Payne, DalIeil and Grosyon0r. the leading
Republicans on the ways and means com.
mittee. Such a strong opposition TO the
proposition TO impose a tarin OF q per
cent Of the Dingley duties on Puerto Ri
can products has developed that Il Is fear
ga the Puerto Rican bill cannot psss with
this provision In II.
The opposition is not confined to the
Democratic party. Many prominent Re-
publican congressman are opposed to II
and they claim that their ranks are be
ing constantly recruited BY new converts
Their strongest argument has been that
they are not opposing the administration.
because President Mckinley recommended
free trade between Puerto Rico and this
country IN his message: aud thaV have
used tais argument with such force thai
they alarmed the Republican leaders. who
feared for the fate Of the hfl The an
nouucemeut that the president does not
intend O. press the views be expressed m
his message was probably made 20 offset
the argument Of the opposition that thev
were bait following the presidents Head
Nevertheless. those who believe IN free
trade maintain they will fight the q per
cent tarin 10 the bitter end.
iney assert that 4 the constitution ap.
Files 20 Puerto Rico as part Of the ter
rItory OF this country. Il would he un.
constitutional go lay tariff on Puerto
! Ricau products shipped 10 this country
/ ON the other hand they assert that q ths
| constitution docs NOT apply % Puerto Rico.
( then congress has no tight 20 lsS5s.ate fo-
/ that island.
| The Bill was faverahly reported BY tho
| Republican majority In The wAys ana
| means committee. with the eNcep.ion 81
MIR Mccall, Of Massachusetts. who Joined
; with the Democrats in signing a report
against the hli on the ground tha, the
constitution provides that excuses and i'm
posts and internal revenues shall re the
same throughout al the territory % thu
United States Il was al first thought
Z thai Mccall would stand alone among the
b Republicans. bit the strong undercurrert
that has set 90 Indicates that he VIII have
many supporters, among them being Mr.
I IAtuefeld. % Maine. who made such =
strong argument IN favor OF seating Rob-
srts Of Utah. and then expeIijng him D..
4 T.orriner of Illinois. Crumpacker Of In
; Hama kahn - California Loud ~ Gait