The Hawaiian gazette., 1894-02-16
From Thursdays Daily. }

to the Chinese Theater last evening.
Long before o'clock, the time set for
the mass-meeting, the building was
literally packed with mass OF Chi
namen. Every available inch of
space was in use, and the galleries
were so full that it seemed as though
they must give way beneath the crush
ing weight of humanity that crowded
them.
On the stage seats were arranged for
the more prominent Chinese residents,
and about forty of these were present.
1t is a small estimate to say that 5000
Celestials were there.
They were not satisfied with crowd
ing the house to its utmost capacity.
They stood on the outside, in all the
pouring rain, and strained their ears
to catch portions of the speeches.
The crowd reached almost out to King
street.
The theater was partially decorated
for the occasion with Chinese flags.
Four tables were arranged for the ac-
commodation CT the speakers and the
press representatives.
Among those present were CONNER
cial Agent Goo Kim, Vice Commits
sioner Wong Kwai, and most of the
prominent merchants of the city.
The meeting was opened by Kan
Chin, the editor of the Chinese news
paper. He asked that Lau Chung, of
the Wing Wo Tai Company, be made
chairman of the meeting. This was
done, with loud cheers.
In opening, Lau Chung stated the
object of the meeting and named
Chang Kim as English secretary and
Chang Den Sing as Chinese secretary.
Chung then said that the meeting
was called to discuss the license law
proposed by the Councils, in an orderly
way, and learn what the sentiments
of the leading Chinese residents were
on the subject. 1t was not intended
as meeting against the Government,
or intended to injure the Government
in any way. The secretary then read
a Chinese version of the proposed law,
and interspersed it with explanations
of the more intricate parts. 1t was
listened to by the big crowd with in
tense interest. but no demonstration
was made at It's close.
The chairman then introduced Ing
Chan, of the Tong On Jan Company,
who was received with cheers that
shook the rafters. He spoke in Chi
nese as follows:
We came to these Islands, some of
us, over sixty years ago, and settled
here. Up to ten years ago this Gov
eminent treated US as equals; as men.
They realized that, while the foreign
er controlled the sugar plantations,
the Chinese owned the rice fields and
were entitled to footing of equality
with others. There are now over twen-
ty thousand Chinese on the Islands.
Many of the white mechanics are OPP
posed to our race, and yet we are, as
far as we know, law abiders. We do
not NEEDLE with the politics of other
foreigners. We have been patient up to
now, for we have been treated well be-
fore, but for a few years past our treat
ment has been getting worse every
year. Shall we put up with it? (Cries
of No, No. The Chinese here are OF
different occupations - merchants,
mechanics and laborers-and they do
good to the country. But the white
people are not satisfied, and want to
impose on US and pass laws that other
countries would not think of. The
cry of these islands now is the scarcity
of cheap labor and the hard times, but
these things are not our fault. We
are treated like small children, and
are not expected TO understand any
thing. But we must not give up
hope. am sure that the day will
come when our mother country will
remember her desolate children. We
in these islands are like one big FAM
ily, and we must unite our forces.
Let us send a communication to the
Councils, asking them not to pass
such a law. If they will not listen to
US, let us instruct our representative
here to communicate with the Chi
nese Minister at Washington and ask
him to write the home government
about our troubles. Great applause
Wong Wah FOy, of the Wing Wo
Tai Company, was then introduced
and said:
We are here to see if we are all of
one mind in regard to this law. Many
of us have been here for years, and
have greatly improved the country by
our efforts. The lands are worth
much more through our efforts. Prop
erty that was not worth 50 an acre
when we came here has by our energy
been brought to the value of $40 and
more. We have been oppressed long
enough. The Government is not sat
isfied with what has been done, but
wants to tie our hands still more.
Shall we allow it? tCries of No
Mob These foreigners do not
remember their own scripture, which
SAYS "do unto others as you would
they should do to you" They claim
to be an enlightened people, but say
they are not, if they act in this way;
(Cheers.) Unity is what we want and
must have. Unity in mind and action.
If we unite we will gain our point.
(Cheers.) We must unite, hut In a
peaceful way. There must be no talk
yet of man-of-war settling our
troubles for US. That may come
later.
Ching Ling Him of the Hawaiian
Hardware Company said:
I have been in this country for