The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1895-06-19


commercial and naval power of Europe
for centuries, but also produced great
statesmen, philosophers and poeis, inn
mortal schools of art, and in short, con-
tributed an honorable share to the pro-
gress of European civilization.
On the other hand, look at Singapore,
an island formerly occupied chiefly by
tigers, which under the wise policy OF the
British Government and with unrestrict-
ed immigration, has now become a city
of 200 coo souls, and n great port of call
for shipping. But who will pretend that
this motley aggregation of human beings
is capable of fself-government or OF form
ing an independent state Ii cannot
live and prosper except as a British
Crown Colony of despotic type.
These islands have not yet become
Singapore, but we have gone danger
ously far in that direction. History
shows that an intelligent middle class is
an essential element of every country
that aspires to self-government Such
government can be perpetuated only by
men who have been educated in 1t, so
that they can comprehend its workings
and appreciate its benefits.
A narrow plutocracy tends to corrupt
both rulers and ruled and cannot per
manently stand without foreign support.
The home basis of support should be as
broad as conditions will permit. The
political Importance of small holdings
was ably set forth in paper read before
this association by President Dole in
1886, and none will deny that a class of
intelligent farmers, who own their own
homes and do their own work and their
own thinking, is the best safeguard OF
freedom, and of the rights both of labor
and Of property. 1t should be the chief
object of the government in promoting
immigration to build and foster this ele-
ment of the national life, the choicest as
we'll as the most difficult of all to pre-
serve.
Although the course of emigration is
generally controlled by economic and
natural laws, yet experience has shown
that much can be done by private asso-
Citations and by governments TO mould
the character and control the destiny OF
young states. Thus Kansas was res
cued from slavery by organized, assisted
immigration from the Free States.
AS the late John l. Stevens said, this
is the meeting place of the East and the
West, and it will soon be decided whether
the Oriental or the Occidental types of
civilization are to prevail. But it is only
of late years that the serious nature of
this "struggle for life" has been appre-
ciated by our legislators. Many even
now consider that the Asiatic, as the
fittest" man to SURVIVE" will and
ought to triumph.
Historical Sketch.
During the last forty years the chief
object of every Hawaiian administration
has been to supply the demand for cheap
agricultural labor. At the same time
there have not been wanting friends of
the native Hawaiians who have advo-
Gated the introduction of people of cog
nate races" who should become amalga-
mated with them, and intuse new life
into their deCaying stock. Various ex
periments have been tried with this end
in view. Nor have patriotic statesmen
been wanting who have opposed the i'm
portation of male laborers exclusively,
and have advocated Government assist
apce for the introduction of families OF
suitable character to become permanent
citizens Of the state, but with only partial
success.
The First CooIie Immigrants.
In the latter part OF the year 1851,
Captain Cass, of the bark Thetis, was
employed by the Royal Hawaiian Agri
cultural Society to bring $50 Chinese
coolies under special contract for their pas
sage and advanced wages. These coolies
were engaged for five years at So per
month, in addition to their passage, food,
clothing, housing and medical attend
ance.
The cost of importing them was $50
apiece, and an advance Of So each was
made to them in China, this last to be
refunded out of their wages after their
arrival. The next year Captain Cass
brought about 100 more who gave salts |
faction as laborers.
The Pitcairn Islanders.
Kamehameha Ill, desiring to encour- |
age the immigration of a class o. people !
likely to make good citizens, endeavored |
to obtain the consent of the British |
Government to the removal to these ISL |
ands of all the inhabitants of Pitcairn's |
island, to be settled as tenants on the |
Crown lands.
This project, however, failed, because /
General Miller stated that his govern
ment would never allow them to transfer
their allegiance and become Hawaiian
subjects. 1t is to be regretted that this
promising experiment was not tried.
The Board Of Immigration
1t was not till December 80, 1864, that
the bureau of immigration" was con-
stituted for the purpose of superintend-
ing the introduction of immigrants, and
sbon afterwards an ordinance was pass
ed forbidding the introduction of any
contract Iaborers into the kingdom with
out the express license of the Board of
In April, 1865, DR.. Hillebrand was
sent on a mission TO China, India and
the Malay archipelago, to collect inform
alton and to make arrangements for the
of laborers. The following
July he sent about 500 Chinese coolies
on two vessels from Hongkong. The
total cost Of their passage averaged be
tween $50 and $50 per head. Several
other small companies arrived from va
rious quarters during the next two years.
But this class OF immigrants was even
then very much disliked, especially by
-radesmen and mechanics, who soon
found them dangerous competitors.
Cognate Races.
The idea of re-peop'ing this country
with races F'cognate" to the Hawaiians,
.Cund much favor, and attempts to carry