The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1893-07-25
HERE'S PRETTY SCHEME
CAPTAIN FERGUSON AND HIS
LABOR ENTERPRISE,
In Which the Fine Italian Hand OF
Genial Paul May Be Discovered
With Half an Eye.

Much curiosity has been expressed
in this city about the mission of Cap
tain w. H. Ferguson late Of the black
birder Montserrat The captain has
been here for some time and is now
stopping with genial Paul Neumann.
In the past he has been a pretty lively
old seabird in his way and it was not
thought that he had come here merely
to improve his health by breathing the
salt air By taking his career
as a bldckbirder into view, -
career which the tragedy of the brig
Tahiti and the attempt to sell the Ha-
waiian missionary kapu into bondage
emphasizes-lt was easy to connect
him with some export labor enterprise.
But what one? Perhaps the street
find Of a partly-hlledout contract the
text of which is given below, will ex-
plain matters This interesting docu-
ment shows that an effort is being
made to get japanese to leave
these islands for Central America
under a labor guarantee. OF course
the more that 90 the better for the
enterprising captain, who, if he takes
them out, will get commission per
capita Then, of course, the places
Of the emgr3ting laps would have to
be filled, and Ferguson's friend, genial
Paul, who is agent for the planters for
the introduction Of Japanese labor
could also get pay for bringing in new
recruits from the Mikado's empire.
Between the two much filthy lucre
might be raked in.
But here is the contract:
THIS MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT
Between w. fl. Ferguson, Government Agent
of immigration for Guatemala party Of the first
part, and Ia Japanese subject, party Of the
second part. WHEREAS, the said party of the
second part has expressed a desire to proceed
from Honolulu to Guatemala as an Agricul-
tural laborer;
AND WHEREAS, the said party Of the first
part has agreed to furnish the wife and two
children Of the said party Of the second part,
| if they accompany him, which fact is stated at
the bottom Of this Agreement, free transportion
| to ... and upon arrival there to secure for
the said party Of the second part agricultural
employment and employment for his wife;
| AND WHEREAS, it has been determined by
and between the parties hereto, in order to
| avoid any misunderstanding which might
otherwise arise, to conclude al once a contract
for the purposes hereinbeiore recited
| Now, Therefore, this Agreement Wltneseth:
..,Fth , Bylt ~
the stipuations hereinafter contained, to be
kept and performed by the said party Of the
second part, covenants and agrees as follows;
| |. To furnish free steerage passage includ.
ing proper food, from Honolulu to Guatemala
| for his wife, ... and to his two child.
rem, if they accompany him, which fact is to be
noted at ,he bottom of this Agreement, and
also to procure proper transportation for the
said party of the second part and his family
from ports of 49,. to the place where such
labor is to be performed
II. Ga arrival at the place designated in Qua,
temaa, the said first party agrees to employ the
said second party as an agricultural laborer for
the full period of three years from the date
such employment actually begins, and also
proper employment for the wife of the said
second party; until such employment is obtain
ed the said first party will provide for the said
second party and his family lodgings commo-
dious enough to secure health and a reasonable
degree Of comfort.
The pay to begin from the time the second
party actually begins work. In the event Of
having a week or ten days rest after arriving
in 49,. the second party is to receive food and
lodgings, but no pay until the work actually
begins,
The first party will during the continuance
of the contract furnish the second party and
his family with free fuel.
III. The said first party guarantees to the
said second party wages at the rate Of Ten
Dollars per month and proper food as men
toned in paragraph Ten, and to his said wife
at the rate of Six-and "a half Dollars per month
and proper food, payable in U. S, gold or its
equivalent in the currency of the Republic of
Guatemala at the option of the said first party,
and the said first party or to whoever he as
signs this Agreement is authorized to retain IS
per cent of the wages of the second party and
his wife (if she accompanies him) in trust for
said second party to guarantee the fulhlment
Iof this contract. Said IS per cent of wages
to be paid the second party at the expiration
of this Agreement. In the event of the per,
manent disability of the second party during
the term OF this Agreement he is TO be return
ed to Japan; his passage money being paid
out of the aforesaid twenty-five per cent. If
lHt sum Is mol SuUlCleUl Tue HTSt party or MS
assignee supply the deficiency. The said first
party furnishes lodgings and an allowance of
food, in accordance with schedule in section
10, to the party of the second part, his wife
and children. The said second party will fur
nish blankets and bed clothing for himself and
his family
~. The said first party agrees to provide
for the said second party, and his family,
medicines and medical attendance free Of cost.
V, The said first party guarantees that
|twenty-siX days of ten hours each, actual work
in the field, SHALL within the meeting Of this
Agreement, constitute one months service as
an agricultural laborer. Work overtime ex-
ceeding thirty minutes to be paid for at the
rate of ten cents per hour, to the said second
Iparty, and eight cents per hour to his wife.
The time Of work to begin when laborer
reports for duty in the morning. In the
event Of illness Of the second party he will re-
Ceve medical attendance and medicines free
of charge; also food and lodgings, but is TO
receive no pay during such illness.
VI. The said first party guarantees to the
said second party, and his family, full, equal and
perfect protection of the laws Of the Republic
of Guatemala and agrees that during the con-
tnuance of this contract the said second party
and his family, shall be exempt from all and
every kind of personal tax and military duty
VII. The said second party agrees to pro
coed to Guatemala by the vessel provided
for him in accordance with this agreement
and further agrees not TO land excpnt M tht