Notable speeches were made by Messrs, Berry, Smith and Hepburn for, and by Messrs. Johnson and Williams against the pending measure.  Few members were upon the floor until late in the afternoon and the galleries had few occupants.  As the hour of voting drew near, however, members began taking their places and there were few more than a score of absentees when the first roll call was taken.  The announcement of the vote upon the passage of the resolutions was cheered upon the floor and applauded generally by the spectators.

The resolutions adopted in a preamble relate the offer of the Hawaiian republic to cede all of its sovereignty and absolute title to the government and crown lands, and then by resolution accept the cession and declare the islands annexed.  The resolutions provide for a commission of five, at least two of whom shall be resident Hawaiians, to recommend to Congress such legislation as they may deem advisable.  The public debt of Hawaii, not to exceed $4,000,000, is assumed, Chinese immigration is prohibited, all treaties with other powers are declared null, and it is provided that until Congress shall provide for the government of the islands all civil, judicial and military powers now exercised by the officers of the existing government shall be exercised in such manner as the President shall direct, and he is given power to appoint persons to put in effect a provisional government for the islands.

Mr. Fitzgerald spoke against the Newlands resolutions.  In the course of his speech he emphasized the failure of the majority of Hawaiians to express their desire relative to annexation.  He insisted that every people had the right to the government of their choice.  Speaking further, Mr. Fitzgerald opposed annexation on the ground that an injurious labor element would be brought into competition with American laborers.

Supporting the resolution Mr. Berry devoted much of his time to showing that annexation was in line with democratic policy.  He reviewed the territorial additions to the original states to show that practically all had been made by democrats.

Mr. Berry digressed to speak of the Philippine situation, and while not advocating the retention of the islands he declared the United States should brook no interference upon the part of Germany.  He said America should resent any intervention with all her arms and warships.  Mr. Berry’s remarks in this connection were applauded generously.

William Alden Smith, member of the committee on foreign affairs, advocating annexation, said: 

“Annexation is not new to us.  In my humble opinion the whole North American continent and every island in the gulf and the Caribbean sea and such islands in the Pacific as may be deemed desirable are worthy of our ambition.  Not that we are earth hungry, but, as a measure of national protection and advantage, it is the duty of the American people to lay peaceful conquest wherever opportunity may be offered.