The Hawaiian gazette., 1896-04-03

onstration in your city upon Wednes-
day seemed to elicit considerable con-
cerl to many, and the petition to the
President and Legislature would indi-
cate that the Portuguese element con-
slider themselves as a special object fol-
discrimination and unfair dealing
All people have a right to make COM
plants publicly, but before making
them it would seem wiser to study the
situation first In their petition they
have failed to present any individual
instances of persecution, and to one not
conversant with the Portuguese as a
race it looks as though they might have
serious grounds for complaint, and per-
haps they have; but there are many,
the writer included, who would like to
hear facts and not mere statements
and when these are presented there are
grounds for action.
In every community and race there
are persons who live from the labor of
disconnected man will stir up many
others, and it often happens that one
disconnected man will stir up many
contented people to imagine that they
are prosecuted beyond endurance, and
Honolulu is not free from the disease.
Some times the object of these agi-
tators is to pose as patriots, and they
are sincere in their beliefs, but more Of
ten the object is a selfish one TO ad-
vance themselves politically, financial
ly, or to gain notoriety. and by their
words and actions they cause many,
otherwise contented and happy people,
miserable by infiaming their magma
lions with chimeras of their own brain.
Let US first take up the object of the
introduction of Portuguese into this
country The primary object, as the
writer understands it, was to bring the
peasantry from Portugal TO work the
canefields of Hawaii, as the native Ha-
waiian was in too small numbers to be
relied upon, and il was deemed wiser TO
have a mixed nationality upon the
plantations as the liability TO
strikes would be less. Furthermore,
it was thought by many that the Por-
tuguese would make a desirable acqui-
sition TO population.
oil hprp under the n
called "pernicious contract system" and
Immediately given work (Which many
had not in their own country, house
rent. fuel. drugs. medical attendance,
a place of worship, free schools, etc,
and a small monthly wage and provis-
ions free.
Their children were sent to school
land in most cases forced TO take an ed
ucation). so that they might grow up
differently from their progenitors, and
by having a common school education,
be able to take better position in life,
should their natural gifts fit them for
such. For l am sorry TO state that
many a deserving man with natural ca
liabilities has lost the chance of his life
through being unable to read and write,
and many of the younger generation OF
Portuguese in Hawaii today can thank
God that they came to Hawaii and were
compelled TO go to school and fit them
selves for the positions they hold.
In this country their political pres
tige was improved, and many have
been given Government positions and
work. Those who improved their ad-
vantages have been given positions
with their ability, and
wages twice as large as they would re-
ceive for similar work in Portugal.
AS regards the price of labor upon the
it was not so much the i'm
portation of Asiatic labor as the price
of sugar that regulates the pay of the
common laborer upon the plantations.
The Portuguese have always been paid
more than either the Japs or Chinese
for doing exactly the same work.
An experience of seven years, dur
ing which time the writer has been
conversant with the cost of
producing a ton of sugar, from clearing
the groud to landing it in San Fran
cisco. proves that sugar cannot be
rGlSaQ al llS0 pIlCtS IDS q luACl AOA
common labor and the sugar industry
kept upon a basis that will support the
stores, foundries, commits
sion agents, brokers, etc, etc, and last
IF all, the producer.
No man conducts a business for
brotherly love, and while some men
from more favorable surroundings or
make more money than
others. still il does not alter the fact
hat in the sugar business, where your
money is laid out for eighteen months
subject to the elements of fire, drought,
ain, etc, etc, il is far different from
,uying and selling merchandise upon
,er cent. basis and securing yourself
gainst loss by insuring your merchan-
Use against fire and your invoices
gainst losses at sea. But what insur-
nee company will insure a planter
gainst a fire in his cane field, or
ummer without rain? What guaran- (;
ee has a planter that 300 or more
ores of his cane field will not be burn ;
d either by carelessness or malicious {
ess? Who will guarantee him ia
orable season? Therefore a planta-
IL ~