The Hawaiian gazette., 1890-09-16

the return OF which, under the con-
tract, Mr.. Bowler was 10 receive $50
apiece, and i'll proof thereof cite the fol-
lowing facts:
~ An official statement on the re-
cords of the Board of immigration, dated
June J5, 1887, is that there are 90
more or less, South Sea Islanders en-
titled to be returned"
o. The first that appears OF record
concerning Mr.. Bowler, is letter from
him to the Board of immigration, dated
July 90, 1887, in which he offers to re-
turn the South Sea Islanders NOW AT
THE IMMIGRATION DEPOT" for the sum Of
$50 each
81 On the same day the Secretary Of
the Board replied that he was instructed
by the President to accept his offer to re-
turn the South Sea Islanders I" NOW Al
THE IMMIGRATION DEPOT" for $50 each.
a. On the same day contract was
signed by Bowler and L. Aholo, wherein
it was agreed that for $50 each, Bowler
would return to their homes " SUCH
SOUTH SEA islanders AS THE PARTY OF
THE SECOND PART (AHoLo) MAY PLACE
ON BoARD.n
(5.) During the month OF July, 1887,
effort was made to get together all South
Sea Island laborers who desired to be re-
turned, and all who could be found were
returned on the 9th of July, 1887, by
those who were legally responsible for so
doing.
All the laborers whose contracts had
expired and who were ready to return,
who were 60 at the Immigration Depot
on the Goth OF June, and those who came
in during July amounted to 81 men, So
women and IL children.
All of this evidence is documentary,
on file in the Interior Department, and
subject to the inspection OF the COM
mittee.
Second-The second statement of the
committee, that the Government was
bound to guarantee the passage OF the
laborers home, is one of those half truths
which is no truth at all, and in view OF
the actual facts in this case amounts to
direct misstatement of the financial
responsibility for the return OF these
laborers. In proof of this l cite the fol-
lowing facts:
%. These laborers were introduced
into the country by the Planters Labor
and Supply Company, by permission of
the Board of Immigration.
The permission was granted upon GER
tain conditions Two of the conditions
were as follows:
1.-THE Board OF immigration \ \
agree to your proposition WITH
THE DISTINCT UNDERSTANDING THAT THE
BOARD IS NOT AT ANY EXPENSE IN THE
SAME -
"It is stipulated in the contract that
on the expiration of the time of service
the immigrant, shall, if he desire, be
returned home; AND IT Is HEREBY con-
DITIoNED THAT SHOULD THEY so DESIRE,
IT SHALL BE AT YOUR EXPENSE, AND NOT
THE BOARD :"
In order to protect the rights of the
laborers, the whole business was con-
Quoted under the supervision of the
Board, and in order to give the recruiting
vessels a legal standing in the South
Seas, and for the convenience of plant
ers, the contracts were made upon Board
of immigration forms, by which the
Board is nominal party, precisely as it
is nominal party to the present Japan
csc contracts; but in both cases for the
purpose only OF convenience to the en-
ployer and protection to the laborer, and
with the distinct understanding that the
Board is to be subject to no expense by
reason thereof.
(2) This obligation on the part OF the
Planters Co. was known to the President
of the Board, for on the 18th of July,
1887, he notified the company that there
were fifty, more or less, laborers who
were entitled to be returned, and re-
quested the company in accordance with
its contract to return them this the COM
pany were willing to do, and were nego-
tiating with the Pacific Navigation 20.
for their return, when the President of
the Board took the matter out of the
hands of the company and made the
Bowler contract.
81. Immediately after the cancellation
of the Bowler contract, the company was
again notified that they were responsible
for the return of the laborers; the COM
pany thereupon did SO return them on
the 9th of July, 1887, at their own ex-
pense, at a cost of $25 each, with the
exception of thirteen men and their |
wives, who could not be identified these
the Government paid for at the rate of |
s19.25 each.
All of the correspondence and records |
and the contract between the Board and |
he company upon this subject are on |
lie in the Interior Department, and were |
subject to the inspection of the COM
nittee.
Third The committee have, uninten- 1
,ionally no doubt, misrepresented to the
Legislature that the Government are
liable at all under the contract between
Mr.. L. Aholo, Minister of the Interior,
md President OF the Board of Immigra-
ion.
In proof o. this l cite the following
acts:
a. Under the law governing the
Board of immigration, the President has
10 power to make contracts except by |
,rder of the Board. He is ex officio the
President and presiding officer of the
Board, and signs drafts for the payment
If obligations incurred by the Board but
otherwise than this he has no legal right /
o take action unauthorized by the
Board.
~ The contract with Mr.. Bowler was
concluded and signed by Mr..
Aholo without the sanction Of the Board,
md without any other member knowing
hat there was sIIch nronoSition undor |