The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1890-10-14
SECOND DAY.

1uoSudy mOIHluS Luo f1C6-I IoSl-
dent called the meeting to order at
9:15. There were present 7. r.
Walker, R. D. Walbridge, r. Hal
stead, P. Isenberg, j. NJ. Horner, II.
P Baldwin, W. NJ. Giffard, E. G.
Bond, J. B. Anterior, w. o. Smith,
J. Marsden, J. R. Renton, Capt. FL.
W. Mist, II. w. Severance, Chas. r.
Bishop, W. R. Castle, f. A. Schaefer,
L. A Thurston, G.. E. Fairchild, and
II. Morrison.
The minutes were read by the Sc
cretary, W. o. Smith, and adopted.
The meeting then proceeded to the
consideration of the labor question.
Mr.. Baldwin stated that the House
Committee had boiled down all the
bills on the labor question into one,
and the Secretary proceeded to read
this bill. The bill provides that spe
cial residence permits for the term of
five years shall be issued to Chinese
immigrants, permitting them to en-
gage in agricultural employment.
Mr.. Isenberg did not like the bill
in all its provisions, and would pro-
pose that the planters send a joint
resolution to the Legislature, calling
for the sending of a Commissioner
to China to negotiate, if possible,
convention with the Chinese Govern
ment, by which labor could be OBJ
tanned for agricultural purposes.
The price of labor and all details
could be fixed by treaty. Without
such treaty, it would be difficult to
obtain any.
Mr.. Baldwin thought such reso-
luton would be useful, but in the
meantime the Legislature would
have to pass some kind of a bill.
The universal opinion was that the
Chinese Government would not allow
Chinese to come here under contract.
We had not, as a matter of fact,
wanted them under contract, as
they run away so. This bill creates
a sort of permit contract between
the Board of Immigration and the
immigrant. He comes here under
the provisions of that contract.
Mr.. Anterior asked whether he
thought Chinese could be obtained
under such a law?
Mr.. Baldwin thought it would be
easier than under regular contract.
That was the opinion of intelligent
Cinnamon.
Mr.. Isenberg's idea was, not to
have any contract at all, but to have
the laborers sent by the Chinese
Government (who would have a
Commissioner here) to work here
under the provision of the law here.
The arrangement would be like that
under which the japanese are here.
If the Chinese were opposed to con-
tract they would not like the bill |
either.
Capt. Mist stated that Mr.. Goo
Kim, who was thoroughly informed |
as to the policy of the Chinese Gov
eminent was now in China.
Mr.. Schaefer inquired if a bill |
could not be drawn which would be |
in its provisions.
Mr. w. o. Smith said it might not |
be known to all that action was
taken in regard to a convention |
with China in 'S3. Mr.. Carter con-
ferred with the Chinese Minister in |
Washington. The correspondence
entered into at that time showed
the feasibility of it. The Chinese
Minister at that time stated that
The Chinese Government was favor
able to the subject. The Chinese
10 better here than in Peru and
elsewhere. The point is to have the
Government take charge of
he laborers. They do rot fear our
avs. As to the bill, the great objec-
ion has been to having contracts.
This bill is neither one thing nor the
,ther. 1t involves the hardships of
he contract system without its
advantages. 1t is not contract.
Who is to enforce it? They are not
FOUND to contract for the planta-
IONS They can work for the Chinese
ice plantations. We might as well
brow open the doors as pass acts
which cannot be enforced.
Mr.. Walker thought that under
his law any discontinued laborer
ould go back to China by simply
.eserting. The bill seems to contain
many provisions which are similar to
contract.
Mr.. Marsden stated that individ-
al contracts with Chinese were use
ess. The only way was to get them
rom Cinnamon, as at present.
Mr.. Baldwin thought that the per-
lit was contract as far as it went. 5
[e was not a lawyer, but that seem
to him the common-sense view
it.
Mr.. Thurston thought that the bill
as very faulty because there was
0 one entitled to enforce the condi-
onr of the hermit The only Way. as