The Daily bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Hawaii]) 1882-1895, 1883-11-22
WORKING MEMS UNION.


above the store of Mr.. Gartenburg,
fifty members were present. The
President explained that the Cover
nor had refused them permission to
use the Armory. He hoped that the
fact of their being shown the door
would encourage others to join them,
as they only wished to do that which
was right.
Ten new members were elected.
The Executive Committee reported
that 8 women and 16 children, fami-
lies of the German laborers from
Koloa plantation, had arrived unex-
pectedly on Sunday morning; they
had been fed and housed by the
Union; they had offered prayers to
the great Creator and thanked Him
for the friends he had found for
them. A house on Judd street had
been procured and they were
now properly cared for. Miss Breese,
the city missionary, had readily pro-
missed to assist them. Marshal
Parke had kindly given them per-
mission to visit the laborers in pri-
son, and DR.. Fitch had promptly
given advice and supplied medicine
to the sick children.
The Committee appointed to pre-
pare series of questions on the la
Dor subject, for submission to can
didates for the legislature, were
granted month s extension of time.
The Employment Committee re-
ported that situation, at 500 per
month, had been obtained for one
man; that another wanted situa-
ton as groom or stable man, and
that some of the German women
were ready to obtain employment;
two of them had already obtained
situations, one would receive one to-
day, and gentleman had applied
for nurse for his family.
A tinsmith and book-binder,
who were present, applied for work;
and it was stated that there was a
vacancy for a good painter. One
man had been dismissed from a
plantation, and had arrived here,
penniless, asking for meal.
A letter was read from Mr.. John
Russell, stating that he would avail
himself of their invitation to visit
the Association, acknowledging the
receipt of copy of the constitution
and bylaws, and expressing his
sympathy with the .''design- and ex-
pressed intentions of the Associa-
tion.''
A donation of $40 from Mr.. Le-
derer was received, and several sub
scriptions and dues were paid.
Mr.. Crowley said their movements
were looked upon with suspicion and
he did not know why. Their meet
ings were open to everybody. That
evening, by order of the Governor,
they had been refused the Armory.
He thought their connection with the
Germans had given mortal offence
to some people. Why was this sud-
den enthusiasm on the part of the
authorities? They had issued cir
cnlar asking their members to roll
up, this was common expression
and there was nothing in it to lead
to suspicion.
They wanted the authorities to
come and watch them, and perhaps
then they would join the Union.
They were not expected to feed the
hungry, but had been compelled to
do so; that was duty of the HUI
name Society, he believed there was
such society with ten or twenty
members. They wished to do every
thing above board and on the square.
An article in the dOertiser, relative
to the German laborers, said that
everything must be thoroughly shift
ted and could not remain as it was
now. These men could not be, fol-
ten years, on the roads, with the
women maintained at their cost. He
held documents in his hand, which
would be sworn to, and which, il
published would be damaging to q
plantation, but they would not see
the light till there was an enquiry.
He then moved that respectful pc
tition be presented to the King, pray.
ing that Royal Commission, con
sisting of two members of the Plan
ters' Labor & Supply Co., two mem
bers of the Working Mems Union
and gentleman, if possible a law
yer, be appointed by His Majesty
to enquire why these laborers refuse
to return to their work, the enquiry
to deal with them from the time o!
their engagement, and the commits
sion to have power to examine wit
nesses on oath.
Mr.. E. If. Ward did not believe
in Royal Commissions. 1t would b.
months before there was any result
He thought the case had been pro
perly ventilated. The men had
been wavering, saying they prefer
red to remain at the Government
stroke and afterwards returnin0 t(