The Daily bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Hawaii]) 1882-1895, 1889-09-17
TO THE PUBLIC.


TO THE PUBLIC.
The committee would say that
they have felt great dtfidence In at
taching their names TO the above
call when there are so many other
citizens of more prominence and
ability who should have led in this
movement, and their only excuse
for assuming this responsibility is
that there seem to be none others,
among the many who sympathize
with this movement, in a position to
shoulder the burden themselves.
The committee deem it but just I'M
der the circumstances, therefore, to
state fully some of the motives
which impel those they represent in
forwarding this movement.
1t is their conviction that large
majority of the voters Of the king
dom are, and have been for some
time past, convinced that something
should have been done on the Chi
nese question beyond anything that
has thus far been done by the Re-
form Government and Legislature.
While there are evidently great
variety of opinions upon details, re-
garding what should be done, n
careful consensus of such views will
show that there is practical una
nimity on essentials, but that none
of them can possibly be carried out
with efficacy until the Constitution
is amended. Unless such an amend
ment passes this Legislature before
the first week in November next it
cannot become law until May, 1892.
Ordinarily therefore it would seem
as though an amendment should ere
this have been submitted to the peo-
pie, and unless there are some very
special reasons to the contrary the
committee believe it the right and
duty of the electors to secure one
even at the eleventh hour.
Many conflicting reasons why this
movement should cease have been
urged by opponents. A careful and
fair consideration of them all i'm
presses the committee with the con-
viction that the reasons for prompt
action outweigh those for delay. In
this connection it will not he out of
place to explain fully what is act
ually sought to be accomplished, for
excessive and unreasonable de-
mands are unjustly attributed to
this movement by some who thus
succeed in preventing many FROM
joining in this undertaking.
The demand on the Chinese ques-
ton is not a new one and covers
practically two points:
lst. That Chinese coming hereaf-
ter as common laborers, for rice and
sugar plantatlons), shall be restrict
ed to that occupation and returned
home when their services are no
longer needed.
I'd. That Chinese now in the king
dom who came as laborers and are
still employed as such in some form
or other shall be prevented by law
from branching out into skilled la
Dor and other better paid occupa-
tons upon which white, native
and Portuguese families must de-
pend for livelihood if they are TO
conform TO the standards of our
Western civilization. The Chinese
now established in these higher oc-
equations to be let alone.
The committee fail to see any
thing which is essentially.ho in
these propositions, to the sugar in
terests, and though the transition
may cause the planter some risk yet
1t cannot possibly be greater than
other classes have recently under
gone for the common good. II
should Also be borne in mind that
what is now asked of The Legislature
is the passage of no law nor of an
amendment to the Constitution but
simply NE submission OF an amend
ment which may be adopted or re-
jected by the electors ut the next
election ut their will. Nor do We
understand that the final adoption
of such An amendment into tue Con-
stitution must necessarily he follow
ed by legislation; laws may or may
not be enacted under 1t and if pass
ed may be amended or repealed il
found impracticable. II Legislators
differ as to the proper wording OF
an amendment they are privileged
to submit several OF them and allow
the voters at the ensuing election tc
say which, if any, shall be adopted.
The contention Of the committee is
that members of representative
body should hesitate less in sub
hitting proposed amendment
10 the constitution to the peo'