The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1894-06-22

The open meeting Of the American
League was fairly well attended last
Wednesday. II. P. Baldwin and 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,
I first said no as l an not public
speaker, but 1 agreed finally, because
l wish to become more in touch with
YOU. have fellow feeling for work
ing men and mechanics, as 1 have
been with them for thirty years. L
did not get into the mauSCers posi-
ton by crawling through the window.
\ great many people here are sus-
piciOus OF the planters, thinking that
they wish to control the situation Gu
rirely. But there is no foundation for
such q thought. The declaration Of
the leaders Of the Provisional Govern
ment have been 50 plain in their
meaning, that they intend to get an
nexstion, that il has shown all the
plsute-s lust what they are coming
into when they join the ranks OF the
Dsrtv. Some of the planters, iufiuenc-
"a by Syreekels, have kept out Of
the movement. | AN an auTe Na-
ZIONIST. l was not, prior 70 January
Il, 1898, but when the Queen tried
10 put Us all back fifty years, l re
uelled, and fell into line.
But we are not annexed yet, aud I
would like to say few wOrss on the
labor question as il is today. There
is one idea that the planters would
like 70 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 wears, as ! have, are not in
favor OF making = Chinese colony
here. I have worked IN the legiSla-
ture 10 restrict Asiatic immigration.
In 1890 l help to pass severe measure
against Chinese. The planters in
the house did this when We could have
passed q much more lenient meas
urs. but We did not. II must be
admitted that the planters are s pow
er in this country, but they have not
used this power. As a proof OF this,
the fact that q few years ago there
were 1900 Chinese in the country TO
1900 at present, is q good example.
You know, gentlemen, that in this
trOpieal country q white man cannot
work in the field 1t is impossible.
Owing TO the nature of our industries,
we need plentiful supply OF cheap
labor. This cheap labor opens up
L TrsF-ha- = 81
labor. But this Chinese labor must be
restricted, and the planters viii help
you do it.
This Constitutional Convention is as
representative 2 body as could be
gathered together. There are many
nAtiOuaIIties and many occupations
represented. There is q most import
ant work before Us. We are not work
ing for any class Of people, but for the
good of sill. We are there TO establish
4 Republic, and 3 strong one-so
strong that the Royslists cannot tear
il down. believe with the sentiments
expressed by Mr.. Emmeluth the other
evening, that we should get as near
the people as God and the conditions
will let Us. But-we must watch these
As long as it is Necessary
TO keep an armed force in our public I
buildings, so long we will still be 10
4 position to watch everything. We
must not quarrel over minor ques-
tons. II We stand shoulder TO should |
sr, il will not be long before the stars 4
and stripes, that so gaily decorate your 1
room, Will wave over the Executive 4
President Murray then introduced 1
Judge Robertson, who said:
Taxing il for granted that you ex-
Dected to hear the new constitution
discussed, I will confine myself to
hat. 1 understand that some OF our
friends have found fault with this
am not one Of these,
md L sm going to tell you Of some of
he good features Of il.
I hold that the peculiar conditions
4 this country prevent the formation
4 an ideal form of government There
re many things in 1t that 90 against
he grain Of an American, and yet
hey are Necessary. There are two
Tays OF ruling q country. The first is
Y ballot aud the second by bullet /
lost people prefer the former. l
Taut TO refer To some figures.
On DECEMBER l. leSur there were
0,e1O people in this country. OF ,
lese, 5000 were males. above the {
&c Of fifteen years. From this num- Z
CT, 5000 HAwaiiaus and Asiatics ,
re deducted. The latter uationali-
es are not capable OF governing
ccording TO American ideas. This {
.aves 5000 males, 400 Of whom are :
sgistered voters, to govern this eouu-
y. Some may claim these figures q
ard, because | say the natives are =
leapable Of good government Far :
E il from me 10 say anything against /,
le Hawaiians. They are intelligent, !.
nd generous, bat these qualities :
lust not be magnified too much. OF I
Jurse, there are Exceptions, bat they e
-e comparatively few Not many
ears ago, the natives were the slaves
de=pOtie king The constitution 4
1857 took large share Of the kings >
)Wer away and gave il TO the peo- :
e The speaker then read the me T
oriaI Of the Hui kalaiaina to
lOunt-