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3777
islands, and delay in extending the laws of the United States to 
them will be taken advantage of to increase the number.
This bill proposes a Territorial government for the Hawaiian 
Islands similar to that of the later Territories of the United States 
 -  a governor, a secretary, both appointed by the President; a 
treasurer, attorney-general, commissioner of public lands, com-
missioner of agriculture and forestry, superintendent of public 
works, superintendent of public instruction, auditor and deputy 
auditor, surveyor, and high sheriff, appointed by the governor.
A legislature is provided, consisting of a senate and house of 
representatives, elected by the people. The Territory is to be rep-
resented by a Delegate in Congress. The Territory is made a ju-
dicial district of the United States, with a district court having, in 
addition, the jurisdiction of circuit courts, with a district judge, 
district attorney, and a marshal of the United States, appointed by 
the President, by and with the consent of the Senate of the 
United States.
The judicial power of the Territory is vested in a supreme court 
and in inferior courts to be established by the legislature. The 
laws of the United States locally applicable are extended over the 
new Territory, and the laws of Hawaii not inconsistent with the 
Constitution or laws of the United States are continued in force. 
The Territory is made a customs and revenue district and be-
comes subject to the tariff laws of the United States.
It needs no argument, it seems to me, to convince that if it be 
possible to give to the Hawaiian Islands a government like that of 
the United States Territories - a government which has met the 
approval of Congress and the American people since the Constitution 
was adopted and has proved itself adapted to the needs of a free 
and progressive people - it is desirable to do so.
Mr. Chairman, I am aware that there are many difficult prob-
lems to be solved regarding this legislation and that it will neces-
sarily contain many errors and omissions; but, sir, I feel confident 
the citizens of the Hawaiian Islands will be able ultimately to solve 
the problems, and whatever defects this bill contains will soon be 
discovered when the law goes into operation, and time and expe-
rience and subsequent legislation will correct and remedy them. 
The all-important thing for us to do now. and do promptly, is to 
give the people of the Hawaiian Island's Territorial government, 
and the best, the freest, and the most liberal Territorial govern-
ment the combined wisdom and judgment of Congress can devise. I 
am in favor of home rule and absolute local self-government for 
our Territories.
And, sir, I desire to say in this connection that what we do for 
the people of the Territory of Hawaii we should also do for the 
people of the Territory of Puerto Rico. There should be no selfish 
distinction - no sordid discrimination. A citizen of Hawaii is a 
citizen of the United States and a citizen of Puerto Rico is a 
citizen of the United States just as much as a citizen of the 
District of Columbia or a citizen of the State of New York; they 
are all citizens of the great Republic, free and independent, and 
under the dome of the Union sky, protected by the flag of our 
country, they are entitled to all the rights, to all the benefits, to 
all the privileges, and to all the immunities of the Federal Con-
stitution. This is our plain duty, the imperative mandate of the 
hour, and for anyone or any party to seriously contend to the 
contrary is preposterous and in the end will be as unwise as it is 
unjust, as inhuman as it is indefensible, and as un-American as it 
is unconstitutional.
 Any departure, in my judgment, by Congress from the well-
settled, the successful, the time-honored, and the constitutional 
policy of the Republic regarding the government of our territorial 
possessions will be fraught with much danger to our free institutions 
and will be a step forward in the contemplated programme of 
imperialism. I am opposed to any plan or any policy repugnant to or in 
any way antagonistic to the fundamental principles of our national 
existence. The Constitution is my guide, and the Declaration of 
Independence the lamp that illumines my path. I am opposed to 
injustice, to militarism, to imperialism, and to industrial slavery here 
or anywhere else, at home or in our islands of the sea; and wherever 
our flag floats, in the Pacific or in the Atlantic, in the States or in the 
Territories, I want the Constitution to be there, guaranteeing to 
every human being liberty, equality,   justice, and every right of 
an American citizen. [Applause on the Democratic side.] 
Mr. Chairman, this is all I desire to say at this time regarding 
the provisions of this bill. I shall vote for the amendments, and if 
they be adopted, I shall vote for this bill. But in connection with 
my remarks on this matter and some remarks I made a short time 
ago I wish to print in the RECORD some data in relation thereto 
that may be of interest to some of the thinking people of this 
country.
The CHAIRMAN. The gentleman from New York [Mr. SULZER] 
asks unanimous consent to print in the RECORD some data in 
connection with his remarks. Is there objection? [After a pause.] 
The Chair hears none.

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