The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1895-10-03

Among some old documents, which
have lately been taken out of ole
bookcases, are the records of the
"Royal School Debating Society,"
which was organized on March 10
1852. Some Of its members have since
become prominent here in public life;
several of its members have achieved
literary success in the United States,
and one has left a worldwide reputa-
ton as a phiIanthropist.
On June %, 1852, the society debat-
ed the question, els the importation
of coolies a benefit to the islands,"
At this early date, the question of
cheap labor was important. Those
who took the affirmative by Sppoint-
ment were w. f. Snow, George NJ.
Bates, Henry n. Parker, r. w. An
drews, Thomas J. Thurston, r. B.
Armstrong, J. z. Chamberlain.
Those who spoke on the negative side
were ID. w. Crabb, l.. Severance, Jr.,
s. G.. Armstrong, a. f. Judd, d. G.
Bates, w. n. Dimond and Joseph p.
Cooke.
At the conclusion of this debate,
George NJ. Bates obtained permission
to invite Miss Sarah Andrews, Miss
Harriet Coan and Miss Caroline Hall
to the next debate. On July 18th the
young members of the society, on q
motion duly made and seconded,
invited other young ladies to attend
the meeting, mentioning by name all
OF those whom it was proposed to
honor.
The question of annexation to the
United states was even then a burn
ing one, for on August 81, 1852, the
following question was debated by the
boys: 'Is it desirable that these ISL
ands should be annexed to the United
States?" The affirmative was dis
cussed by ID. g. Bates, G. II. Judd, r.
w. Andrews, a. +. Judd, r. b. Arm
strong. The negative was held by T.
G.. Thurston, J. z. Chamberlain, II. |
III. Parker, 5. G. Armstrong, w. II. |
Dimond. The debaters were assigned |
to the sides.
At the next meeting it was stated /
by a member that che thought that |
the presence of ladies had been dis
advantage to the society, in producing
disorder and lessening the interest in |
the debates" He was opposed by w. |
+. Snow and G. II. Judd, ''who proved
on the contrary that it had a very
good Influence on the society,""
On December 2S, 1852, G. II. Judd,
as secretary, enters on the minutes, "I
have to remark that this was the
most noisy debate we have had. The
members did not realize the import
ance of keeping perfect order. We
feel the need of visitors. Why not in
vite, as has been suggested, our lady
friSnds for our own good, if il is a
little tires2me to them" On
June 11th, he makes the
entry, 1.-The ladies obliged us
we were glad to see the interest that |
was taken in the debate. The society
kept good order, which shows woman's
influence over men,"
On January Is, 1853, is the entry of
the secretary, "some of the members
INDUCED their appetites by eating
candy and peanuts. l hope they will
eat their sweet meats before they come
to the society" On March l, 1853, the
question before the society was
- Should women have equal rights
with mem" Henry II. Parker, the
secretary, enters on the record the re-
lection We hope the ladies will be
present at the next meeting, as the
question will naturally interest them,
and we hope that they who come TO
ridicuIe their rights will do so to the
utmost Of their ability
On September %, 1854, the society
evidently was in trouble, and the
members became unruly. :. G. Arm
strong, the secretary, enters on the
record: "The chair was for once dis
and its utmost efforts to en-
force order were Intellectual. Means
were used to render the efforts of the
chair ridiculous. If q member made
4 nasal sound some one of the mem
bers would ring the school bell"
The society fiourished for several
years. The members gradually with
Drew as they entered business or left
Tor the United States. w. III. Dimond,
now General Dimond, of California,
incurred a fine OF 81 by reason of alb
sence, but by unanimous resolution of
the society he was forgiven the debt.
There was q heavy tax on the treasury
in order to pay fO- lighting the debat-
ing room Edt a vigorous effort
brought 81 40 into it, and over dozen
candles were purchased and stored.