The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1868-08-12

ilarity Of treatment and an equal adhesion
to the contract by all parties concerned is
necessary, both for the good of the Japan
csc and the convenience of the employer.
1t seems that the modification asked for
by the laborers, is one that may with pro-
priety be granted. There is show of
justice, from their stand point, reasoning
as now they do, on the field where they
work, instead of, at the port where they
signed the articles, and were ignorant of the
circumstances in which they would be
placed. The explanation of the legal force
of their agreement, and the endeavor to
convince them of the justice Of holding
them to its letter, while it would be proper
enough, is not. we believe, so expedient as
to advise the employers to pay the wages
each month in full, if the men SO desire to
be paid.
This is the view which the Board have
adopted and will advise, as we observe
from the following circular which they have
prepared and will distribute to those who
have the japanese:
SIR:-At a meeting of the Board Of Immi-
grafton held yesterday afternoon, it was
unanimously agreed that circular be issued
to the employers of japanese labor, on the
subject of wages, and the mode in which it
should be paid.
The Board wishes it to be well understood
that they disavow any claim to right on
their part to change the contracts made be-
tween employers and their Japanese labor
ers, at the same time they feel satisfied, from
representations which have been made to
them, that the men never would have agreed
to receive one-half their wages in paper at
the end of each month, had they known the
prices of clothing, tobacco, and other crti-
Giles which they look upon as necessaries. 1t
seems clear that the sum of two dollars per
month will not purchase the clothing, etc,
necessary TO their wants and under these cir
cumstanees, il was unanimously agreed by
the Board that they do recommend, THAT
all those persons who have contracted with
the Board of Immigration for japanese I'm
migrants, be advised to pay their men the
full amount of their wages due them at the
end of each month, if the laborers themselves
should so desire"
There has been some few instances
brought to the notice of the Board, of
hardship, so considered by the employers,
in that they selected servants who were
not perfectly sound and healthy, and have
not therefore received any benefit by the
assignment of the contract.
At the time of the arrival of the Scioto,
the japanese who were really sick, or were
known to be unfit for service, were retain
ed by the Board for medical treatment and
subsequent disposal, and both in the medical
selection at Yokohama and care on the
passage hither, every precaution was used
to insure healthy and useful class of i'm
migrants. Hence. the Board acting in the
service of the public and for the general
good, discharged its whole duty in the
premises and without discussing the legal
points Involved in the transfer and deliv-
cry of contracts, we may justly infer on
general principles, are not bound to make
good losses which the employers may sus-
tam from defects not apparent at the time
of transfer, or from visitation of God in the
death of the immigrant. A japanese who
seemed healthy on arrival, both to the
agent of the Board and to the employer
who chose him from the crowd, or who de-
ceived both by the stimulation Of health,
ought not to be thrown back on the public
purse, if afterwards it proves that be was
really subject to organic or serious disease.
The only safe principal to adopt is, that
the employer must run his own risks in the
selection, especially when he is as fully in
possession of the condition of the servant
as the Board itself If the contrary OBJ
tain, there will be no end to the reclama-
tons made upon the Board through either
real or fancied disabilities, and the coun-
try. after time. instead of having labor
ers, will be saddled with the maintenance
of paupers.
Contracts of this character. when nego-
tiated by private parties, are not burdened
with any reclamations when both parties
have acted in good faith. Mishaps and
losses, before the transfer of contract, fall
upon the merchant, after its transfer, upon
the employer.
Happily, so far in the operations of the
Board, no great loss has arisen by reason
Of sick or unsound immigrants, and there
fore, the consideration of individual cases
of hardship may be based on the score of
individual relief. The supply of laborers
is a difficult and important business to
it is sought to be conducted to
the public advantage and must be governed
BY general principles which shall affect all
equally, but being relieved from those in
iuences incident to private speculation,
questions of loss arising to private parties
n its prosecution, need not be confined to
,he strictness of legal responsibility.
DEATH OF NAVY SURGEoN-A letter from
Acapulco informs US of the deaths of DIR.
Rice, Assistant Surgeon on the U. S. war |
a. -4o