The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1869-10-23
THE PACIFIC
Commercial Advertiser.
SATURDAY. OCTOBER %.

On Friday evening 18th inst, in accordance with
call by published hand-bills, a large concourse Of on
native fellow citizens assembled ut the Kaumakapi
Church, to discuss the questions involved in the res
~olutions adopted by the recent Planters convention
I'VE copy from Bennstt's Olrn.l
Hon. ID. Raiakaua was chosen Chairman of tn
meeting, and Mr.. j. ID. Holai, Secretary.
The Chairman stated that the object of the meet
ing was to discuss the question of Chinese laborers-
whether IL was advisable that any more should b.
introduced. The meetings CT Saturday and Monday
were gotten up by the Planters, who complain of TIT
scarcity Of labor. All the intelligent foreign minds
have discussed this question-some for, and some
against, bringing any more Chinese into the country
He proposed to read to the meeting \ translation o.
the resolutions of the Planters
9fr. .HakaLsRa opposed the reading of the resolu.
tons, as they might prematurely bias the views Of
the meeting. On q show of hands it was voted not
TO hear the resolutions.
G. b. Raiaaukans was opposed TO the introduc-
ing any more coolies here. They are n bad set, and
their influence is injurious to the natives. The coolie
system increases crime, and the people to whom the
country belongs would be injured in every way by
the importation of more coolies. The natives arc
capable of learning and working at almost everything
that almost anybody else can do-from agriculture
to mechanical arts, and they make good sailors,
guano-diggers, etc. But because the coolies can be
got for next to nothing, these greedy foreign sugar
planters want to fill the country with them. Look
ut the statistics of crime since the coolies have been
brought here-the great increase must all be attri-
buted to them they occupy most of the time of the
courts, and for them the yallows Is erected. Let us
consider these things in the past and think of the
future. Awake, and remember that the elections
for the next Legislature are near ut hand. Gre
quent applause.)
Mr.. Reauehunahaia opposed the bringing of any
more Pakes here. Made a vigorous and character
istic speech-anti-coolie. The Planters were MAX
ing money fast-they were rich already-but they
wanted more! And they wanted slaves, in order to
get more money. (Applause
III. Steuens, (son of a half-caste) made n vigorous
and somewhat theatrical speech, in which he berated
his countrymen for their laziness and other bad
habits, which necessitated the bringing forward of
this labor question. The foreigners OF every nation
atty were industrious and the country was benefited
by them, including, in a marked degree. the Chinese.
marked dssent.)
ID. b. .Mahoe spoke eloquently on the subject
before the meeting. He was utterly opposed to the
introduction of the Chinese. AS laborers on planta-
tons, the natives were more efficient and stronger,
and can do more work than the Chinese. (Applauded
loudly.)
d.. b. .4umai was particularly opposed to the
whole idea of foreign immigration, especially of the
Chinese element. The introduction of these coolies
was n leaky hole in the Hawaiian treasury. 1t was
like setting loose a devouring lion among the gentle
flock of Hawaii mel. (Great applause.)
s. ". yMaheiona, District Judge of Eva and
Waianae,) made an energetic speech in favor of
foreign immigration, and more especially of the
Chinese, rs being the cheapest laborers. Enumer-
ated their good points at length. (Frequent inter-
contemptuous cries of dissent, and quite n
large number left the meeting. The confusion was
that the latter part Of the Judges remarks
could not be heard at the reporters stand
~. a. Xxi did not wish for any more Chinese,
for they are murderers, thieves and robbers. Gap
e. j. Lyons argued at length in favor of free
and against the coolie system. Was
opposed to retaining on the statute-book the penal
law for enforcing contracts. Let the people arouse,
and at the ballot-box secure the repeal of this OBJ
noxious law. 1t was class legislation, and the ten
dency of things here at present, was to make some
very rich, and ethers-the mass-very poor and
by reference to the absenteeism of Ire
land. Capital can take care of itself, let us look out
for the laboring classes.
j. W. Raiua (of Makawao,) supported the views
by Judge Mahelona. Praised tn Chinese
for their good qualities, and declared that they were
superior to the natives, who were lazy and good for
loud cries of dissent "down with the
traitor - " stop, STOP" Great confusion, amidst
which the speaker retired.)
". ". PuaieIra said if the laws are not right,
the proper course to amend them. He approved
the bringing here of Chinese coolies they were
very good people, and if they were not Christians
when they come, We can do a good work in convert
ng and ciyilizing them. daughter, jeers and
general confusion.)
Kaiani, "a native who has lived in California;
some Of his California experiences in regard
% Cinnamon there. They were regarded as thieves
md asssssins and were looked upon as the lowest of
he low. Whatever money they made, they carried
{ out of the country. Here if a Chinaman had five
,ents to spend, he took particular care to spend it
no one but a countryman. They were clannish.
mean, and unprincipled, and n dead weight to the
country. Hoped that n law would be passed forbid
ling their being brought here. (This speaker was
Eloquent and earnest, and was frequently interrupted
outbursts of applause.)
Henry Thompson, Esq, being loudly called for,
anne forward, and gave a logical and comprehensive
address, on the subject of the relations of labor to
apital, and the workings of the present labor system
lere. While he disliked the introduction into the
ountry of these hordes of coolies, he was p~ariicu-
arly opposed II to the p~enallaw in relation to contracts
or service. as being unconstitutional. He concluded
y Offering the following resolutions
Rssoired, That the Hawaiian people are not opposed TO
rec immigration from foreign nations, hut IL is not proper that
he Government should largely assist In the bringing here UNI
uitsble persons, such rs Chinese bonded laborers.
ResofUed, That section 1920 of the Civil Code, providing
,r the imprisonment. of those who break their contracts TO
is Unconstitutional, and contrary TO the best interests Of
he people.
The resolutions, being put to the meeting, were
arried and the meeting was then adjourned, amidst
considerable confusion, several speakers who wished
D ventilate their ideas, not getting an opportunity
!. do a