ted

for the benefit and protection of the Republic, and desiring to ascertain the pleasure of the Senate in regard to its final ratification, the President called a special Session of that body which assembled on the 8th day of September, 1897. After mature consideration of the terms of the Treaty, the Senate, by an unanimous vote, consented to its ratification on the 9th day of September. The Treaty was signed by the President two days later. The American copy of the Treaty was transmitted by President McKinley to the Senate of that country, on the 16th day of June, 1897, accompanied by a special Message recommending its ratification.

Until the final exchange of the ratifications the sovereignty of this country continues. It is therefore necessary for you to consider the biennial and special Appropriation Bills which will be presented to you by the Minister of Finance, and to enact such wholesome laws as may be required for the well-being of the people.

Owing to the intimate relations existing between the Republic and the United States of America, great care should be exercised that no action be taken which might interfere with the scope of the Treaty above referred to, nor in any way jeopardize the present satisfactory relations, nor hinder the future presentation of the Treaty should it fail at the present time to receive the approval of the Senate of the United States, where it is now pending.

During the months of March and April 1897 several steam-ships left the ports of Japan for this country, having on board a large number of immigrants. In the course of his investigations in regard to the qualifications of the immigrants to land, the CollectorGeneral of Customs found that a large number were unable to conform to the requirements of the laws appertaining to the landing of aliens, and for that reason denied them that privilege. The immigrants were detained at the quarantine station until taken back to Japan by the Immigration Companies who had assisted in bringing them to this country. This action on the part of the Collector-General drew forth a protest from the Japanese Government, and much correspondence has been exchanged upon this subject.

that the

As the correspondence progressed it became evident that it might be difficult to arrive at a satisfactory settlement of the controversy. For this reason it was suggested by this Government of difference be submitted to disinterested arbiion. The framing of issues upon which the is to be invited is now being proceeded

al revenue-producing bureaus s'

under the Act of 1884 the certificate of a Chinese person being the subject of another foreign Government must be issued by that Government when he comes from its jurisdiction into the United States, it should be issued by that Government or by the Government of residence when he resides elsewhere and proceeds therefrom to the United States. To such Chinese persons the Treaty of 1894 does not legally extend, and it has not been determined, so far as I am aware, whether as to them the test of relation as subject or citizen indicated by the Act of 1884 or the test of residence by an equitable application (so to speak) of the principle of the Treaty, is to be invoked. It may be that this latter question is not of practicable moment at present, or that you have already in the regulations and practice of your Department disposed of it.

I therefore respond to your request by stating that, in my opinion, there is no authority to be derived from our existing laws granting to Consular officers of China in a foreign country the right to issue the certificates prescribed by section 6 of the Act of the 5th July, 1884.

Very respectfully,

JAS. E. BOYD, Acting Attorney-General

The Secretary to the Treasury.

MESSAGE of the Acting President of Hawaii, on the Opening of the Legislative Chambers. - Honolulu, February 16, 1898.

SENATORS AND REPRESENTATIVES,

In the absence of the President I present to you several matters for your information and consideration.

Exercising the authority conferred upon him by the Constitution, and following the spirit of a resolution passed at your last regular Session, the President has, with the approval of the Cabinet, made a Treaty of Political Union with the United States of America.

Negotiations were opened early in the month of April 1897, which resulted in the signing of the Treaty of Washington on the 16th day of June, following, by the Plenipotentiaries of the two Governments; on behalf of the United States of America by the Hon. John Sherman, Secretary of State, and by Messrs. Francis M. Hatch, Lorrin A. Thurston, and William A. Kinney, for the Republic of Hawaii.

Having reviewed the action of our Plenipotentiaries and finding that the Treaty contained in its several Articles sufficient provisions

for the benefit and protection of the Republic, and desiring to ascertain the pleasure of the Senate in regard to its final ratificative. the President called a special Session of that body which assembled on the 8th day of September, 1897. After mature consideration of the terms of the Treaty, the Senate, by an unanimons vote, erne sented to its ratification on the 9th day of September. The Treaty was signed by the President two days later. The American cogy of the Treaty was transmitted by President McKinley to the Senste of that country, on the 16th day of June, 1597, accompanied by a special Message recommending its ratification.

Until the final exchange of the ratifications the sovereignty of this country continues. It is therefore necessary for you to consider the biennial and special Appropriation Bls which will be presented to you by the Minister of Finance, and to enact SÅ wholesome laws as may be required for the well-being of the people.

Owing to the intimate relations existing between the Reptide and the United States of America, great care should be exemtised that no action be taken which might interfere with the serge of the Treaty above referred to, nor in any way jeopardize the present satisfactory relations, nor hinder the future presentation of the Treaty should it fail at the present time to reserve the approval of the Senate of the United States, where it is now pending.

During the months of March and April 1897 several steam-ange left the ports of Japan for this country, having on board a large number of immigrants. In the course of his investigators in regard to the qualifications of the immigrants to land the CillemGeneral of Customs found that a large number were made a conform to the requirements of the laws appertaining to the anting of aliens, and for that reason denied them that privilege. The immigrants were detained at the quarantine starosti te back to Japan by the Immigration Companies who had asset n bringing them to this country. This action on the pan of se Collector-General drew forth a protest from the Japanese Gonemment, and much correspondence has been exchanged upon tre subject.

As the correspondence progressed it became ensers at might be difficult to arrive at a satisfactory settlement of the entroversy. For this reason it was suggested by this Government that the points of difference be submitted to disinterested antrators for decision. The framing of issues upon with the decision of the arbitrators is to be invited is now being prosessted with.

The receipts of several revenue-producing bea

marked increase over previous periods. The operation of the Tax Law of 1896 produced in the main satisfactory results; and while it gave rise to litigation it is now more fully understood, and its administration in the future will undoubtedly meet with but little opposition. For this reason, and also on account of a desire that all legislation should follow Conservative lines, the Executive have decided not to introduce any new measure for the purpose of increasing the revenues.

The several Appropriation Bills which will be submitted to you by the Minister of Finance contain the estimates of the funds required for the successful conduct of the various branches of the Government for the present period. The amounts to be paid from the current receipts are within the anticipated revenues of the country, while such of the contemplated improvements as are to be paid for from the loan fund have been restricted to the pressing needs of our advancing commonwealth.

The Minister of Finance will present to you a Bill having for its purpose the consolidation of the outstanding public debt. The credit of the Republic is so well established that it is expected that under proper conditions all the indebtedness of the Government authorized by the various Loan Acts may be placed in one loan, secured by bonds bearing a lower rate of interest than that now being paid.

The amendment to Article 63 of the Constitution, proposed to and acted upon by the Legislature at its first regular Session, will be presented to you for your consideration. This amendment to the Constitution in no wise changes or affects any of the vital principles of the fundamental law; but if adopted will render it less likely that some important law may become unconstitutional through a defect in its title.

During the past period most gratifying progress has been made in the way of public improvements. Nearly 100 miles of roads. have been constructed on the Island of Hawaii. The almost impassable trails have been replaced by highways of easy grades with finely finished and firmly made road beds. This system of roads, which has been so well begun, should be pushed to a speedy completion. By this means a large area of land which has been heretofore practically inaccessible will be made available for settlement and cultivation.

While the road improvement has not been so great on the Islands of Maui, Oahu, and Kauai, important work has been done on all of these islands. The opening of the Nuuanu Pali road marks the completion of a project that has been before the public for many years.

Extensive improvements of the Harbours of Honolulu and Hilo

are now under way. The demands of our increasing commerce permat of no cessation of these works.

An important factor in the preservation of the health of Hincula has been the straightening and improvement of the lower portion of Nuusna stream, while the installation of a modern disinfecting plant and other appliances at the quarantine station gives assurance that the possible introduction of disease from foreign countries has been reduced to a minimum.

Many new school houses have been built, but still a greater zumber are needed for the accommodation of our school children, some of whom, although several years above school age, have never had the beneât of instruction in the public schools.

All the funds necessary for the continuation of the general plan of publie improvements should be granted without hesitation, baring only in view the sources of revenue at the disposal of the Government.

At your last Session an appropriation of 10.000 dolars was mate for sewerage investigation. The greater part of this sum has been expended in obtaining plans and specifications for a system of sewerage for Honolulu. Investigation was undertaken by an eminent sanitary engineer, and his report, which includes elaborate drawings, together with estimates of cost of construction an: maintenance, will be submitted to you by the Milster of te Interior. While the completion of the entire system would requ the expenditure of nearly a half a million of dollars, a pornice zé the work may well be commenced, which, when completed, wolf give that part of the city which is most tulekly settled sewerage faculties.

The protection of the health of Honolulu is not ocy imparas to its inhabitants, but to all the group as well it being the principal distributing point and basiness centre the prevalence of an epidemic would seriously interfere with te gezeni bastem of the

country.

The extent of the undeveloped restures of the mount are but just beginning to be understood. The growth of the enfee industry has emphasized this and given rise to a demasi fie nad in small parcels upon many of which bones are bang erected ant occupied by a very desirable class of people. The present lanÍ policy of the Government has an important bearing zoon 2008 subject and should be continued, but upon a more exeLATE BE

The sub-division of public lands suitable for semieneno kuolić be carried on with all possible expedition For the rebeld the Land Commission should be granted increased felis fearr LE on the work. A step in this direction would be to place th surveying of all lands to be opened by the Commons. Luder nor