The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1894-06-21
The Subjects Spoken About at the
American League.
q. P. BALDWIN, A. 6. N. ROBERTSON.
The First Speaker Tells About the Posi-
tion Held by the Planters I'm Re-
gard to Chinese Labor-The Second
Deals with Constitutional Matters.

The open meeting of the American
League was fairly well attended last
evening. H. P. Baldwin aud A. G.
NJ. Robertson were the speakers of the
evening. Mr.. Baldwin spoke on the
labor question and the Constitutional
Convention. He said, in part:
When / was asked TO address you,
/ first said no as L am not public
speaker, but / agreed finally, because
/ wish to become more in touch with
you. 1 have a fellow feeling for work
ing men and mechanics, as / have
been with them for thirty years. 1
did not get into the managers posi-
ton by crawling through the window.
A great many people here are sus-
picious of the planters, thinking that
they wish to control the situation en-
tirely. But there is no foundation for
such thought. The declaration of
the leaders of the Provisional Govern
ment have been SO plain in their
meaning, that they intend to get an
nexation, that it has shown all the
planters just what they are coming
into when they join the ranks of the
party. Some of the planters, influence
ed by Sureclrels, have kept out of
the movement. I am an annexa-
ZIONIST. / was not, prior to January
II, 1898, but when the Queen tried
to put us all back fifty years, I re-
belled, and fell into line.
But we are not annexed yet. and I
would like to say few words on the
labor question as it is today. There
is one idea that the planters would
like to fill up this country with Chin
ese and ether cheap labor. This do
not believe. Recent arrivals may feel
this way, but those who have lived
here for years, as / have, are not in
favor of making Chinese colony
here. / have worked In the Iegisla-
ture to restrict Asiatic immigration.
In 1890 help to pass severe measure
against Chinese. The planters in
the house did this when we could have
passed a much more lenient meas
ure, but we did not. 1t must be
admitted that the planters are pow
er in this country, but they have not
used this power. AS a proof of this,
the fact that few years ago there
were 1900 Chinese In the country to
IA 900 at present, is good example.
You know, gentlemen, that in this
tropical country a white man cannot
work in the field. 1t is i'm possible.
Owing to the nature of our industries,
we need plentiful supply of cheap
labor. This cheap labor opens up
work for other and higher grades Of
labor. But this Chinese labor must be
restricted, and the planters will help
you do it.
This Constitutional Convention is as
representative a body as could be
gathered together. There are many
DatioDaiIties and many occupations
represented. There is a most import
ing for any class of people, but for the |
good of all. We are there to establish
a Republic, and strong one-so |
strong that the Royaiists cannot tear |
it down. believe with the sentiments |
expressed by Mr.. Emmelutb the other |
evening, that we should get as near
the people as God and the conditions |
will let us But we must watch these |
conditions. As long as IL is necessary |
TO keep an armed force in our public |
buildings, 80 long we Will still be in |
n yBSihEDA W WdtEt tFbB Auluks we 4
must not quarrel over minor ques-
tions. If We stand shoulder 10 should |
or, IL will not be long before the stars
and stripes, that so eaily decorate your
room, Will wave over the Executive
President Murray then introduced
Judge Robertson, who said:
Takiug it, for granted that you ex
pected to hear the uew constitution
discussed, ! will eoufine myself 10
that. I understand that some of our
friends have found fault with this
am not one Of these,
and / am going 10 tell you Of some Of
the good features Of il.
hold that the peculiar conditions
ut this country prevent the formation
Df an ideal form 9f government. There
are many things in it that go against
the grain Of al American, aud yet
they are necessary. There are two
ways Of ruling country. The first is
by ballot and the second by bullet
Most people prefer tbs former.
want to refer 10 some figures.
On December ], 1876, there were
5000 people ira this country. or
these, 4G,Ol0 were males. above the
aRs of fifteen years. From this mum
bsr, 5000 Hawaliaus aud Asisties
are deducted The latter nati0nali=
ties are not Capable of governing
afs<s<.FAfr.a ~, rn0riraf iHaaz sfI.i. 1