Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-12-26
HAwAns SUGAR INDUSTRY.
The Reciprocity Treaty Freaks OF
the Native Legislature.

Inc ttecipTocity ITeai - fEcdAs VI
the Native Legislature.
The New York Tribune, in speaking OF
the 81 ar INDUSTRY Ia the Sandwich
Islands, says that an Ohio man, who has
spent several winters 10 don OIuIu. IVES
talking the other day about things In the
Sandwich Islands. ">one Of the sugar
plantations there" ne said, "give yield
OF eight tons TO the acre, aud good deal
OF that Is OF so high quality for raw
sugar that ii mas to be mixed with
special coarse variety 10 pass muster at
the san Francisco Custom House as IN
refined. In Louisiana the average yield
is not more than two tons to the acre. A
good deal OF Hawaiin sugar, in fact, is
shipped directly 10 New Orleans, and used
10 the re1nerIes there. The reciprocity
treaty, OF course, does not admit refined
sugar duty Tree.
at is easy TO see now Of what vast
benefit the treaty has been to the Ha-
Wailan sugar interest. Without il the
bulk Of the plantations would nave to
give up the raising OF sugar cane alto
getneT. while under it the industry Bas
grown enormously. and the rate OF profit.
Notwithstanding the increased cOmpe-
tltion. Is still large. There seems TO be
little lear OF tie abrOgation OF the treaty,
though 1t seems 10 be bearing Father
hardly on the sugar planters 10 the [ nited
States. Inc HswaIians think tnat the
American government is too anxious to
retain hold on the islands TO let the
present commercial relations be broken
off.
The large planters are much more Sc
riously concerned about the la kitty of in
teTnal administration in the islands and
the CON parative insecurity Of property.
Many, sometimes the majority, OF the
Legislators are natives, owning little or
no property. Their disposition Of the
states money is often marked by reck-
lessness and eXtraya2ance. They have
been known TO vote the King palace or
themselves jackkniyes with equal resdi-
ness and cOmposure. They almost gave
away ten millions of dollars some years
ago TO an Italian lobby ist-aiterward
King kalsKaua's Prime Minister-who
proposed laying an ocean cable from Cal
liornia TO China BY way OF the sand wicE
Islands.
The King, in fact. has had a queer as
sortment OF prime ministers from time to
time. Alter the Italian lobbyist came an
ex-MOrmon missionary and bishop, who
had taken grant OF a small island and
devoted himself to raising sheep there.
Only month ago new ministry was
formed, and It's tenure is probably as un-
certain as that OF its predecessors.
"lDese lltlle freaks ana eccentrlcltIes
on the part OF the government make the
larger prOperty-Owners sigh often for an
nexation to some foreign power. The
United States is the nearest of the great
powers and a natural protector. An
nexation to this country would mean
abolition OF all import duties on
refined sugar, and in that case
rehneries could be set up in the islands
aud sugar be made ready for market be-
fore being shipped. King Kalakaua is
said, | hear, to favor annexation to the
United States. He expects to hold Office
under the new arrangement, If 1t is made
during his reign. There was q sort of
British party in the politics OF the king
dom before the death OF the Dowager
Queen Emma, the widow Of Kalakaua V.
Tnis party favored her claim to the throne
as against King Kalakaua's; but now,
OF course, the Kings title ana policy are
secure.
s'There is an English bishop in Homo
lulu aud a large circle Of English and
Scotch society through the islands. The
King himself is amiabie and clever,
though he has many peculiarities OF char
acter. His hobby for long time was his
army. l saw it parade once in full
strength in it's palmiest days. There
were seventy-nine men In the ranks and
over 100 officers commanding them. They
all wore regulation German helmets. fiery
hot and quite imposing, but good many
mad no shoes on, and there was a loud
buzz OF conversation ali along the line"