The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1888-12-18

THE letter Of Mr.. Hartwell in the
Bulletin recently contains much that
+ IS Roe oaly so0nd, but ineontestible. The
criticism which we feel obliged TO offer is
this, that sone OF his general propoSi-
tious. however excellent in themselves,
&ye not strictly applicable to the matter
under discussion. For instance, he says,
' The great protection OF the lsw is about
and around Us all alike. No man is
% humble or 50 mean or 50 wicked, as
70 be free irom its obligations or beyond
its reach. Make outlaws o. any class
OF men. aud what may one expect o
them, but thar they viii resort to Illegal
methods Very true; bot we do no.
understand that it is proposed to make
outlaws Of any one. The gentleman's
language seems to Us 70 involve one Of
those overstatements which are very
much to be deprecated in discussions Of
this kind, However Objectionable class
or race legislation may seem on theoreti-
cal grounds, the experience OF many
countries has shown that such legislation
Is sometimes necessary, and whatever is
necessary, becomes, IN virtue Of that very
fact, proper and right Legislation based
on class or race distinctions existed un-
der our old constitution, and exists un-
der the present one Witness the law
prohibiting Hawaiians from purchasing
intoxicating liquor, which was in force
for many years, and whose constitution
atty was, If we mistake not, sustained
by our Supreme Court. Witness also
the laws now in torce restricting and
regulating Chinese immigration, limit
ing the number who may come in 3 given /
time, and 50 on. Legislation based up
On similar distinctions exists to-day in
the United States, IN the British Colonies
and in many other places. Tie subjects
OF such legislation are limited and re- 7
stricted certainly, possibly wronged. but /
It Is IN uniustifable use Of language To /
say that they are outIawsd 4 little I
further on Mr.. H. remarks. e. do not
believe that : legislature will ever be
elected in Hawaii, which viii undertake
to enact laws by which third OF the
male population are to be kept down by /
main force. The evils OF bribery, of
official and private dishonesty, of cor
ruption Of sny kind, VIII not be remedi-
81 by such legislation This seems to
show curious misapprehension Of the
objects 10 De attained or attempted by
means Of anti-Chinese legislation. Adj
ftional measures IN restriction or regu-
alton Of the Chinese are not sought as
means Of getting rid Of the evils OF
bribery or Of =" official and private dis
honesty nor did We ever hear OF any
yue claiming that they would have such
Eject The motives which aetu4te men
Il this matter pertain, not mainly to
private integrity OF official rectisade,
h0ugh these may be somewhat involved,
lui rather to questions OF bread and
leef Bread and beef may not be the
lighest incentives TO human action.
s1eh considerations may seem common
,lzee, and even vulgar, to those whose
.En means OF support are not in danger.
they appeal to the average
{ mankind with force which Is not to
e resisted What laws any future Iegis-
1ture To be elected IN this country may
&c 1T to enact Is something which none
{ rs Can tell It seems to Us, however,
bat If they fairly represent the present
Jews Of their constituents, that l. to
ay, Of . majority Of the voting popala
ion, they can hardly fail to attempt
IN the line which Mr. Hart
rel seems TO deprecate.