The Hawaiian gazette., 1903-02-06
ISLAND MATTERS
PRESENTED AT
FEDERAL CAPITAL
A. c. Gehr Is Fighting the KohaIa
Ditch Bill and limiting Strongly
at Bribery.
Especial to the Advertiser.)

Especial to the Advertiser.)
WASHINGTON, d. c.. Jan. 2S.-The
fire claims bill is now a law. after one
of the hardest and longest legislative
campaigns that has been fought at the
Capital in behalf OF Hawaiian meas
ure. The end came quickly and more
easily than any one had expected. That
law and the coinage law are great
achievements for one session of Con-
gress. They probably constitute the
greater portion Of the legislation pos
sible for Hawaii at this session. The
Kohala Ditch bill, which has been
pending before Congress for going on
two years now, will probably become
law, although Mr.. A. c. Gehr is here
fighting it strenuously and talking
earnestly about a 100000 bank account
of prominent Hawaiian, which Mr..
Gehr apparently thinks has been dis
sipated in the ditch Senatorial cam
peign. II two or three Senators are
disposed to fight the bill earnestly :hny
might be able to defeat 1t, but there
would be little wonder II the hill be-
comes law even before this letter reach
es Honolulu.
The Ditch bill was reported out of
the Senate Committee on the Pacific
Islands and Porto Rico without discus
sion. Mr.. Tuttle came down to Wash
iEgton from New York to aid Mr.. Gehr
wherever possible. They have been re-
naming here to add to the gayety Of
the contest.
FIRE CLAIMS BILL.
Mr.. j. G. Pratt was much congratu-
lated on his success In pressing the
fire claims bill to it's final passage. He
has worked industriously on the meas
ure, was unceasing in his efforts to see
members of the House and explain the
status Of the measure to them. AS I
stated in my cablegram on the day Of
the passage of the bill he has been
staying here briefly to consult with the
Treasury Department officials about the
issue of bonds to the extent of $500, 900
which the measure authorizes.
But the part that Mr.. William Hay
wood played in securing the passage of
the bill also secured for him many
warm congratulations. He has done a
vast amount of work on the measure
in the last two or three years and has
taken hold of 1t in lively fashion this
winter, whenever he could see an OPP
portunity to help along.
Representative Robinson, of Indiana,
a Democrat, who had given to the fire
claims bill more carefuI study than any
other member Of Congress and who was
an ardent advocate of its passage, was
absent when ex-Gov. Powers of Maine
called it up on suspension day. The
governor was very doubtful about the
; success of his attempt.
I'VE are going to try" said he to
me a short while before the House was
called to order that day, "but 1t is
hn
Used us a special rule for the measure,
provided we can not pass it by unan-
imous consent or by a two-thirds vote
under suspension of the rules. but the
special rule affords little encourage
ment, because II must take its turn and
there are now almost enough special
rules ahead Of us to occupy the time
ut this session of Congress.
II am trying" added the governor
as he sat at his desk and watched the
clock, ito condense my speech, for
expect there are lots of other fellows
who will want to talk and the time is
very limited under such a proceeding"
The governor got away on his speech
the moment Speaker Henderson recog-
nized him and the bill had been read.
He told how there were 5000 claimants
and recited the history Of the claims In
given by Secretary of State John Hay
Jan. %, 1900. as issued to Gov. Dole.
He emphasized the necessity Of stop
ping the plague because Of the passage
to and fro Of United States troops en-
route between San Francisco and the
Philippines.
Representative Finley. of s. c., help
ed the governor along with some friend
ly questions. one of which was whether
the territory had not expected at the
time to have money of its own with
which to pay all those claims.
Representative Maddox, OF Ca, who
Is inclined to do considerable object
ing in the House. began finally to pro-
pound questions but they did not prove
OF a hostile character. Gov. Powers
finished In fine form and Representa-
tive Thayer. Of Worcester. Mass, a
Democrat. proceeded to speak on the
bill, He liz a member OF the committee
on territories and declared that he
thought II would be breach OF good
faith on the part OF the government
10 refuse to pass the pending bill. He
told how Hawaii had paid $500. 900 for
the suppression OF the plague and that
this government ought not to complain
at paying a share,
Representative Moon, OF Tenn. who
had demanded second and was IN
charge Of time for opposition 10 the
bill. offered 20 yield time for any one
who wished 20 oppose the measure but
none volunteered, Mr., suixer ~ New
York said for Mr., Robinson that the
latter had been called away by death
In the family but that he was siron Ely
10 favor ~ the bill, Mr., sulzer ad-
ded on his own behalf that he Wa,
av'ar. " the facts " the esse and him
self inisnded % yole Tor the bill,
Thsraupos u passsd without an OPP
p0rlnE vote, esAeily - n passed ih,
senate, Accordingly u Mas unnsoss'
Aary ~ ssnd the bill 10 conference,
eommiliss but - soos as u had bssI
snxFQssea and signed w tbs ffsslasHl
pro ten ~ tbs ssnais, Nj tfys, sna \,