Mr. SUMNER. This question is not free from embarrassment, especially where one is in favor of the line toJapan, and also in favor of a line to the SandwichIslands, as is the case with myself. I am anxious to see each of these lines established believing as I do that each is important to the general welfare and especially to the commercial interests of the country. But strong as is my desire, Ibave not been able to see how the line to Japan can be advantageously held to turn aside and stop at the SandwichIslands. To bring these 2 objects into one voyage is not unlike the idea of the elderly person who wished her Bible to be the smallest size book and the largest size type. The 2 things do not go together. And yet lir, I confess that the interest which I take in the SandwichIslands inclines me to do all that I can to strengthen and increase our relations with them. I do not forget that these islands, though originally discovered by a British navigator, are mainly indebted for their presenteivilization to the U.S. Missionaries of our country have planted churches and schools at an expense of at least a million dollars. One of our countrymen, the late] ohn Pickering, of Boston, the eminent pliilologist, invented the alphabet by which the native language was reduced toawritten text. The Whalers of NewEngland have made these islands a resting place. Our ships on their way to China have made them a half way house. Of all the foreign ships which reach there 5 6th s are of our country. such are the ties of beneficcuce and of commerce by which we are bound to these islands. There is no other nation that has an interest in these islands comparable in character or amount to ours. Meanwhile the native population has been constantly decaying at an annual decrease of eight%., so that I presume now it is not more than 50,000. This brief review will furnish a glimpse of our interest in these islands. They are the wards of the U.S. We cannot now turn away from them. The Government must add its contribution also. It is on this account, that I have heard with pleasure that a national ship, under the command of one of our most in telligent officers is to be stationed at the Sand wich Islands. her presence there will exercise a salutary influence in sustaining the interests of our people. This is something. But I confess that should like to see these islands bound to our continent by a steam line. While confessing this desire, and giving my reasons for iIt, am not satisfied that it is proper to require the Japan line to perform this service. It is clear from unanswerable testimony that the stoppage of this line cannot be effected without such a deviation as materially to interfere with its operations. The testimony presented by the report is positive. Here, for instance, is what is said y that eminent authority, Admiral Davis: “These considerations, with regard to the eastern voyage appear to dispose of t a whole question. They show that touching at the SandwichIslands, out 0return from China. would prolong the voyago so many days unnecessarily that an additional line of steamers must soon be established provided the itnhtaetricmouprosretbaenteweewehnic China and Aemntelryicexapiseteoted acquire This concerns the voyage from Japan to SanFrancisco. But Admiral Davis is also against sto ping at the islands on the Outward voyage. t seems clear, then, that the Japanese line, in order to be effective and to accomplish what is so much desired, must be left to itself without being obliged to turn aside for any inci dental purpose. It must be a Japanese line and nothing else; and you must not.forget that just in proportion as you impose upon it any additional Obligations you wiil impair its efficiency as one of the splendid links of commerce destined to put a girdle round the globe. I am rea y, therefore, to release the Japan eseline from stopping at the SandwichIslands; but at the same time I declare my hope that some other means will he found to secure a line to these islands. In releasing the company from this service, I am willing to leave to them the full subsidy already appropriated. But I think they should be held to shorten their voyage in proportion to the time gained. This provision will remove an objection which has been made. I offer the following amendment to come in at the end of the resolution: And provided urflmr, That the schedule timeof the route fixed by the existing contractshall bereduced not less than ten days for each round voyage. I hope that my friendfrom California will accept this amendment.