The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1869-10-16
Reasons why Coolies
should not be Imported y
into this n


In the first place a double object is in view in
the importation Of cooiies-to furnish labor for
the plantation, and to increase by amalgamation
the native population. The first. though answering
the purpose Of the planter, in other respects
has its drawbacks, while the second not only
misses it's object, but is the source of much damage
in many ways to the native race. In support OF
these stand points We have weighty reasons,
many Of which, particularly in regard to the
obnoxious character OF the coolies now here,
we derive from the report Of DIR. Hilebrand,
the authorized agent of the Board Of Immigra-
ton, furnished to that body and published In
the Gazette.
We propose to insert extracts from this report
without comment, and though they do not form
a connected argument, We believe that they Will
carry conviction to the minds of the impartial
reader. In reading these extracts We become
conyersans with the ideas OF n gentleman who by
his high standing in society, his extensive knowl-
eige and acquaintance with the world, must
claim our attention, and have weight in helping
Us To n solution Of the question which now
occupies 20 much Of our time and thoughts. We
recommend a perusal of the report Of the Doctor,
which can be found in the Gazette, from the lst
To the 22d of December, 1866. In speaking OF
the way they are transported from China he says:
e.The Chinese character being essentially different
from that Of q negro, in point Of "reminiscences, re-
volt and mutinies are Of frequent occurrence during
the first part Of these voyages, and the calamities re-
sulting therefrom often are Of an awful character.
OF some sent to Bombay from Hongkong, from
whence the supplies we have came, he remarks {:
"These have proved very turbulent and were, /
believe, returned before their term Of contract had
expired"
Respecting the position which the Chinaman
bears to US we mark the following:
"Bear well in mind, that a Chinaman is not a
negro, nor a Polynesian, in character. Strong te-
nacity of his rights, quick ebulition Of temper, and
readiness for fight are among his characteristics and
as he has been trained to look at death and suffering
with indifference, to him are wanting those checks
and restraints from acts of violence which the fear OF
retribution inspires"
That the Chinaman himself cannot have fair
dealing according to our system, the following
may be Indicative
"For redress of grievances the lower courts Of the
country are Of little use to him, because he does not
understand their mechanism because he cannot ex-
press himself or plead in his own language, and be-
cause, as n general thing, the influence of his
employer falls heavy in the scale against his CON-
plaint.'' . . . g Coolies invaded by sickness
or accident. have likewise to he repatriated at the
expense Of the employer" To recruit women
is still the greatest difficulty, and I have been obliged
by force Of circumstances to relax the strict enforce
ment Of rules with regard to them. Shall we there
fore discontinue to import women with our coolies
If you ask me this question, L most emphaticany say,
no. The difference 6ef1esa a cOoiie and u Stare as
one of degree mol Of eSsencs.'' (The italics are ours
The shorter the term of bonded service, the greater
the freedom Of movement allowed during the same,
the more his natural and human rights and interest,
are respected, the more you remove his condition
from that OF the slave"
The following from our point of view is very
suggestive:
"We have had Chinese coolies among us for more
than twelve years-more than one great crime has
been committed by them. II the people with this
experience before them concluded to ask for more,
they know what risk they took. / can for my part
assure them that they have got as good n lot rs could
be had and moreover, that not one of them has
Leen obtained by any but fair and honorable means