The Hawaiian gazette., 1906-03-16
FOR REFUNOING'
W. O. Smith Thinks
That Cannon Will
Not Object.

II feel quite sanguine ms to the pass
age OF the blll," said w. O. Smith
yesterday having Just returned as one
OF the Hawaii delegation to presen.
to Congress reasons why the bill set
( ting apart IS per cent. of the Federal
revenue of the Territory for the carry
ing on of public works here should
be enacted into law. There was,
OF course. some opposition for us
to contend with. Speaker Cannon ex-
pressed an objection to the precedent
that the passage of the bill would
create, but / am of the opinion that he
will withdraw his objections or. at
least. not interpose them when the
measure comes up before the House.
The Speaker is a man OF strong opin
lens, but he is at the same time open
to conviction, and as the conditions
here were fully explained to him and
he was shown that We have been try
ing to help ourselves, not waiting In
anticipation of securing outside assist
ance, and as It was demonstrated that
money was needed here for public
works, 1t will not surprise me at all
to hear that Mr.. Cannon Is furthering
cur bill.
Hawaii has some strong friends at
Washington. Congressman Hepburn
OF Iowa is one of the very strong and
Influential friends of the Territory ana
he seconded our efforts and did great
deal to see that we had every oppor-
tunity of stating our case. When the
matter comes up in the House he will
support 1t earnestly and speak strong
" in favor of Hawaii. In conversa-
ton with the delegates Mr.. Hepburn.
who visited here some time ago, ex-
pressed himself as much impressed
with the healthy public spirit he had
found to exist among the community
on these islands and spoke of the very
great attraction that he felt in the
beauty of this land.
"At all times the greatest harmony
existed among the delegates them
selves and between them and the
Delegate to Congress- his secretary
Geo. B. Mcclellan, and Judge Hatch
All were animated with the one pur-
pose of furthering the interests of Ha-
wall and none lost sight of this in any
effort to glorify himself.
zone of the things we had to c, n
tend with was the fact that some
Democratic congressman had received
letters from here directed against our
mission. One of the Democratic lead
ers stated that he had full informa-
ton from Hawaii concerning condi-
tions here, his informant stating that
the proposed fund was not needed,
that the Territory was well able to
provide for itself and that the dele
gates should not be needed nor should
the bill which they urged be passed.
What the object was in sending out
Information such as that 1 do not
know. Perhaps it was thought that as
those behind the bill were mainly Re-
publicans, ii was up to the Democrats
to oppose it on principle. Then, again,
1t may only have been cussedness. I
believe that there are people here who
would like to see all the efforts to i'm
prove the Territory turn out failures
and who hope to see disaster as an
outcome of annexation.
"In the ordinary course of events
; the Refunding Bill would go on the
| calendar after 1t is reported from
committee and then would have to
{ take its turn unless 1t were taken up
, out of order by unanimous consent or
a ruling be made by which 1t would
have precedence over other bills. / feel
very hopeful that rule will be made
by which it will be advanced.
''Of course, even If this DE done it
, does not necessarily follow that it
viii pass, but we will know its fate
sooner. For myself, however, 1 am
very hopeful and sanguine as to the
result.
II would like to add this to what 1
have said: Whatever the result of this
bill TO create a fund FOR public i'm
provements, 1 think that the work
: done by the delegation has been good
and will bear fruit for Hawaii For
: a certainty much information concern
ing things Hawaiian ana conditions IN
: the Territory has been given and in
a way and under conditions that made
an impression. 1t must be borne in
e mind that our relations with Washing
ton are to be continued year after
} year and that 1t is more important
( that correct information be given than
that some present end be accom-
9 plished.
1T should also be borne in mind that
r sentiment has a great deal to do with
Congressional action. II the impress
Sipi 10 blNth tiidN VIC nave shC Aibhl
spirit and are trying to help ourselves
, and that We are fair In the demands
we make and the requests we for
ward, we are much more likely to re-
ceive fair treatment
Our reception at Washington was
cordial and very satisfactory. We
found many new members OF the
House who had a somewhat hay T. a
, as TO Hawaiian affairs generally, but
none took us for cannibals. The other
, members OF the delegation. who left
Washington before / did, are coming
| on the Korea. which leaves the Coast
ON the 22nd We had a good trip and
the weather on the whole was mild. In
, Wyoming We We're held up for seven
teen hours In blizzard, the tempera
, ture staying below zero ana the wind
being terrific. ! nm certainly glad TO
be home In Honolulu"
d. a..