The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1894-06-25
AGAIN THEY PETITION.
CHINESE PRESENT THEIR PLEA
IN CONVENTION.
tention on Second Reading Of
the Constitution.

10 me hon. SANFORD Is. Dole, IreSi-
dent Of the Constitutional Convention
Of the HdUdiidn Islands,
SlR:-We venture most humbly and
respectfully to again address to you and
the Honorable Convention further
appeal for the consideration of those to
whom the framing of the constitution,
which will materially ensure the pro-
gress and destiny of this country, has
been entrusted. We have relied, and
still rely. upon the sense of justice and
dictates of equity of the convention.
We appreciate most thoroughly the
theoretical concessions granted to us by
the able report of the Attorney General
and his colleagues OF the Committee on
Legislature, and we are pleased that we
have received such recognition as that
report has accorded. But frem practical
relief or assistance we are debarred by
the provisions of the constitution, and,
apparently, by the amendment adopted
to par agraph Of article IS, such privi-
leges az we have hitherto enjoyed may
be hereafter held TO have been curtailed.
On the one hand we are offered the
privileges of naturalization, denization
and the franchise IL we can qualify, and
on the other the possibility Of quslifica-
ton is so surrounded by limitations as
to be almost precluded.
The fact that we have, hitherto, had
no treaty with this country debars u.s.
but admits to the privileges referred to,
all other aliens having, or having had,
treaty relations. Would it not be just
and equitable to eliminate this para
graph so a. to enable such of us who
are competent to qualify under the
other very stringent precautions, con-
ditions and requirements of the con-
stitution to be placed on the same foot
ing. to limited extent. as other aliens;
or. il this is not deemed wise or practi-
cable, may the paragraph be amended
so AS to include countries (which may
have" (treaties):
In view of the probable annexation Of
these Islands to the United States at an
early date, this concession would be one
pru ctically amounting to simple
courtesy to very influential section Of
the community.
Under the constitution as framed on
first reading Chinese residents and
citizens of very many years residence,
and whose interests are mainly identi.
fed with this country, OF high
commercial, financial and social
standing are practically debarred
from exercising privileges granted to all
others, and yet there are limited num-
Der perfectly qualified to accept the
most stringent tests of qualification for
citizenship, deDizenship and the cleo
torial franchise if not actually pre-
vented from SO doing.
Hitherto, we have refrained from re-
ferring to other nationalities who !
have come here originally rs laborers
and have been granted privileges not
accorded to us, but the grantiog to
them of spch privileges and debarring
us leads us to the firm and respectful
hope that the convention will 30 far
recognize our attempts to benefit and
prosper this country as.to grant our hum
BILE prayers.
With few exceptions the privilege
of the franchise has not been exer-
cised by Chinese naturalized subjects or
citizens of Hawaii, although some $50
have been naturalized upon identically
the same terms as to the oath Of allegi-
ance as the aliens OF all other nations.
By the proposed constitution may 1t
not be said that these ADMINISTRATIONS
are annulled and such privileges AZ
were granted to them have be"h takon
from them. In this special regard this
appears somewhat UNJUST 10 many OK
the signatories OF the petition VINO have
resided IN this country from forty'three
year TO decreasing per'oas' the least OF
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