Saturday press. [volume] (Honolulu, H.I.) 1880-1885, 1882-04-01
Remarks and Inquiries on Cur Labor
System.


Enron PRrss There some who honestly
think, and Others who affect to think, that the
Hawaiian labor system is wrong in itself. 1t
ohends their ideas of freedom to see n man COM
PEELED to be honest in fulfilling q labor contract,
however good and kind may be the treatment
from his employer; but WAS there ever any outcry
heard against the compulsion of honesty in any
other contract And will you be kind enough to
inform more of YOUR readers wherein lies
the real difference, if there be any One man, for
instance, knows that n contractor is wanted to Law
n railroad. He applies for the position, signs the
paper, and gives in all probability bonds for the
faithful performance of the contract specifications.
His position requires brain ut all hours and i, is
for his own interest to personally superintend the
work, If not frequently to put his own hand to it,
and his labor must be continuous. Should he fail
through fault of his own, to satisfy all the
requirements of the contract, and lie mnde to
suffer therefor, expressions of sympathy might be
heard; but should he attempt to commit fraud,
and decline To give over his security demand.
and suit be entered against him and won does not
public sentiment approve of his punishment
Another maIl knows that a common laborer ia
wanted and he also applies for the situation, and
makes line promises ON paper, but does he give
bonds for their faithful performance He demands
an advance, usually large one, he will neither
contract nor work. but he gives security for this
advance. He leaves the presence of his employer
(and of the government official who has protected
him in his rights that he be not imposed upon by
is irresponsible employer with his money and his
papers, and If n passably honest man and Ua-
waiihn. he will return another day to begin work
But he often has 10 be sent for, and if left much
to himself will scamp bis work, idle away his time
and shorten his hours To suit himself. He also
demands stint for the day. i'll order that he may
rush it through and be of early, and if refused ,
will avowcdy bo slow and do very small days
work. How much damage he causes his master
by reckless carelcssness-amounting occasionally
to many tunes his days pay-is no care nor con-
Germ of his, so that mis- day il counted.
If not so honest, and Chinainan, for instance
who is with great difficulty recognized and detect.
ed, his employer may never See him nor his money
again. III. however his person is captured Mt
great expense; he is free to run again the next
night, for the law even after trial and conviction
of this attempt mt fraud, will not allow him 10 be
confined in any way. And yet the law in so far MS
it does aid in trying to compel him to be honest
and fu!tl his contract, caused outsiders to raise
the cry of oppression, and some of them, such
as the S. Z. Chronicle, the cry of "slaveryw
No sympathy has ever been heard for the many
trying difficulties and disadvantages under which
the planter must labor for two years to secure the
well earned fruit-if fruit there bc-of his indus
try. and living for himself. Is this just, aud il
there any sense in it But some will say,
here is some stuff from grumbling dyspeptic
who can never get along with anybody. and sees
everything through distorted vision" Not at all.
The writer can point to his neighbors in almost
any direction, and to planters in other districts,
who have found greater difficulties, and sustained
greater losses and any one of whom can confirm
this experience by his own.
The lnborer IL better protected than his en-
plover. As n rule he begins work with the good
will and kind ntontion Of his master il his habit
alton is Lowry, it is often times better than has
been his own home, and in fact he often lives in
his own home at greater or less distance he can
not be abused without obtaining redress in the
courts he cannot be detained moment after the
term OF his contract expires; nor il he has far
prevailed over the tender nature of his master
to Obtain more money for his supposed wants and
troubles than can be repaid during the term of
ll.1 a.. .al
that he be honest and attend to his work and no
man can lay his hand on him, can the law
touch him. Yet what an cutlery there is against
system of "horrible slaveryr Yes slavery
for the master perhaps, but the sympathy il not
for him. Pages might be written on this subject
by an able pea, but from this one, the foregoing
will suffice And now To the questions. IL our
labor system wrong in itself Ia it more reprehen-
sible to compel honesty in a labor contract than
IN any otherf Is there any real difference between