Saturday press. [volume] (Honolulu, H.I.) 1880-1885, 1881-11-26
PRESS.
Hawaiian Labor.

NOVEHBER 20, 1881.

TREATMENT OF tAnoRgRs ON THE SUGAR
NrArIoSs--LABoRERs WAGES.
EpIroR BULLETIN VIII You bo kind
enough to allow me short space in your
valuable Journal for few remarks concern
ing the treatment of lnborers and others on
the plantations in tho Hawaiian Islands ]
know not what object the Chronicle has
for tho standpoint IL has taken on the quos-
ton, but do not think / ought to allow
to pass unchallenged tho statements of Mr..
Jamison in tho journal have spoken Of.
] mny promise by stating that his expert
oncos-at least bis statement concerning
them-on the plantation Mt pahala, owned
by the Hawaiian Agricultural Company,
are totally Mt variance with my own. |
worked ono year on the plantation have
spoken of, and knew Mr.. Jamison, who
was also nm omployc, during the whole
period Of his service to tho company. All
hands had plenty Of good food, consisting
of fresh broad, potatoes, beef, onions, rice,
beans, dried apples, tea, coffee, sugar, etc.
We, tho employees of tho company, were
housed in comfortable, woather.tight build
ngs, fifty feet long by twelve wide, of five
rooms each, two mon sharing room. a
days work was comparatively light, and
only Of nine hours duration. a really
good doctor was in attendance, his scrv-
ices being FREQ to those unfortunate enough
TO require them. Tho wages paid the
laborers were Sl2 month, in addition to
the board and lodging, medical attendance,
etc, spoken of above. Besides, any man
who showed an interest in his work, and
who zoalously performed his duties, receiv.
cd an increase of salary, till in some cases
men were getting as much MS $50 per
month. All overtime was paid for Mt tho
rate of l2i cents per hour, and every man
was paid regularly and punctually ut the
end of each month. Nobody was asked or
compelled to work ON Sunday or holidays.
Some of the men worked in tho fields on
task or picce-w ork, and could easily do
their quota in from four to seven hours,
according to the strength and skill of tho
individual. Wages were not allowed to
those mon who were idle from evident and
sheer lazness, aud in such cases the
offender would be charged fifty cents per
diem for his board and lodging. The men
were never asked to work in the rain, or
when the weather was too inclement, and
on such occasions were allowed full pay.
On Saturdays, eight hours was considered
days work.
These statements of mino vouch for ms
being truthful in every particular, and tell
n very different story to that told by Mr..
Jamison in the Chronicle. | may state
that | was, during my period of service
with the Hawaiian Agricultural Company,
their assistant sugar boiler, and / never in
single instance, during my engagement
knew of any brutality being practiced MS
described by Mr.. Jamison, and had good
facilities of hearing and seeing if any such
cases had occurred as stated. The best
evidence Of fair treatment of its employees
by the company, is to be found in the fact
that the more intelligent and sensible Of
the men contracted with the company fol
another year, after serving out their full
time. Mr.. Spreckels' plantation has ever
better reputation than that belonging tc
the Hawaiian Agricultural Company. Ir
conclusion | would state that the South
Sea Islanders, being rather barbarous il
tuuii W"yo1 "io Si'oh ooPtruto quarters "
themselves, and occupy tho houses assign
cd to them as they please. On the planta
ton am speaking of there are but two
married mon and their families other thar
native, and Chinese. These families have
separate quarters, aud free ra.ious ar,
allowed for tho wives, who are not expect.
cd to do any service in return. The Chi
nese and natives who have wives enjoy
similar privileges. | remain, dear sir
respectfully yours, G.. A. JOHNSON,
No. Broadway street, city.
NoTE.-We give space to the foregoing letter t
the Bulletin of Oct. 18th, from Mr.. johnson, col
ored gentleman who was employed on the Pahaii
plantation for some time. He came from Sal
Francisco with Others and served out tho time TO
which he contracted and was well satisfied. III
is worthy man and his statements certainly
deserve AZ much credit those of Jamison VIII,
gave the Chronicle his account of affairs tn
same plantation.