The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1888-12-13

THE letter of Mr.. Hartwell in last
Thursdays Bulletin contains much that
is not only sound, but incontestible. The
criticism which we feel obliged to offer is
this: that some of his general PROPOSE
tions, however excellent in themselves,
are not strictly applicable to the matter
under discussion. For instance, he says,
"The great protection of the law is about
and around US all alike. No man is
so humble or SO mean or so wicked, as
to be free from its obligations or beyond
its reach. Make outlaws OF any class
of men, and what may one expect 4
them, but that they will resort to illegal
methodist" Very true; but we do not
unders and that it is proposed to make
outlaws of any one. The gentleman's
language seems to us to 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 I'M
der our old constitution, and exists I'M
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 force restricting and
regulating Chinese immigration, limit
ing the number who may come in given
time, and so on. Legislation based up
on similar distinctions exists to-day in
the United States, in the British Colonies
and in many other places. The subjects
of such legislation are limited and re-
Btricted certainly, possibly wronged, but
it is an unjustifable use of language to
say that they are outlawed. A little
further on Mr.. H. remarks: 81 do not
believe that legislature will ever be
elected in Hawaii, which will 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 any kind, will not be remedi-
ed by such legislation" This seems to
show curious misapprehension of the
objects to be attained or attempted by
means of anti-Chinese legislation. Ad-
ditional measures in restriction or regu-
latiOn of the Chinese are not sought as a
means of getting rid of the "evils of
bribery" or of official and private dis
honesty" nor did we ever hear of any
one claiming that they would have such
effect. The motives which actuate men
In this matter pertain, not mainly to
private integrity or official rectitude,
though these may be somewhat involved,
but rather to questions of bread and
beef. Bread and beef may not be the
highest incentives to human action.
Such considerations may seem common
place, and even vulgar, to those whose
own means of support are not in danger
Nevertheless, they appeal to the average
of mankind with force which is not to
be resisted. What laws any future legis-
lature to be elected in this country may
see fit to enact, is something which none
OF US can tell. 1t seems to us, however,
that if they fairly represent the present
views of their constituents, that Is to
say, of a majority of the voting popula-
ton, they can hardly fail to attempt
something in the line which Mr.. Hart
well seems to deprecate.