The Hawaiian gazette., 1896-07-10
Objects to Abrogation of Con-
tract Labor System.
PRoTECTORATE IS SUFFICIENT.
Underlying causes of Demand Ior
remuneration asi He ViewssSThem.
Government NowiFree Fromt Cor
:; ruption-ThcH CitizenshipaQuestion

Mr.. EDITOR:-Judgingf from express
sions of the Hawaiian press and from
utterances of your public men, the de-
mand from the people Of your Islands
for annexation is as strong as ever.
That the expression of such a senti-
ment produces a responsive echo in the
heart of every true American is not to
be wondered at. Nevertheless, the writ
er is not fully satisfied that annexation
will do the greatest good to the greatest
number of your citizens. That annexa-
ton would be followed by some very
desirable results may be taken for
granted, but it seems equally certain
that in some respects it would inJure
the Islands.
Would it not be well, then, to review
and discuss probable results?
1t would seem as if the underlying
causes for the demand for annexation
to the United States were:
First-A realization of the necessity
of having a permanent government,
strong enough to prevent all periodical
uprisings or revolutions, and to inspire
confidence in the safety of life and
property.
Second-A desire on the part of Am
orleans and their friends to be citizens
of the Great Republic, instead of be-
coming subjects Of some monarchy;
and,
Third-A probable desire of members
of the present Government to be reliev-
ed of the heavy responsibilities resting
upon them while in control of affairs.
Annexation would cover all three
points of this diagnosis. The first two
would meet the writer's approval, while
the third would not.
You have a good Government now; 1t
is free from faint of corruption; it is
run on business principles; has dealt
leniently with those who conspired to
overthrow it. and is exercising foster
ing care over the native Hawaiians.
While your Government may be open
TO slight criticism, no one except dis
appointed Office seekers and former
benefciaries of royalty has good ground
for demanding change. 1t is best to
let well enough alone.
The most EXCEPTIONALLY feature of an
nexation would be the abrogation of the
contract labor system, it being a well
known fact that all other sugar and
coffee producing countries have low
priced plantation labor-cheaper than
your Islands have today-it would seem
unwise to take any step that would
cripple your principal industries, by
causing a. rise of % to 80 per cent in
the cost of labor employed in them.
Importation and employment of con-
tract labor is prohibited in the United
States by an Act of Congress of Febru-
airy 26th. 1885, which, of course, would
apply TO the Islands as soon as annex
ed That the plantation laborers now
on the Islands would quickly take adj
vantage of the changed state of affairs,
and demand and obtain higher price
for their labor, may be taken for grant
ed; also that the results. following
would be disastrous to those now en-
ploying capital and labor in aforesaid
industries. Further, it is well to re-
member that Japanese and Portuguese
in the United States meet with no OBJ
stacles when desiring to become natur-
allied citizens, and that under American
law their right to acquire citizenship in
the new State of Hawaii would be pre-
cisely the same as that of the white
man or native Hawaiian, resulting
either in Japanese control in many To-
calities, or stringent naturalization
law, framed with view Of comforting
the right Of suffrage only upon such as
would be considered desirable citizens
1t seems as if the objectionable re-
suits following in the wake of annexa-
ton could be avoided by accepting a
protectorate from the United States
Life and property could be made as
safe under its terms as under annexa-
ton; you could have commercial union;
the contract labor system need not b.
disturbed. nor would there be any ne
cessity for comforting the rights of ciu
zenship upon Asiatics and others ecu
ally undesirable as citizens. For va
rious reasons it would seem desirabl,
TO give the President of the United
States the right of appointing you
Chief Executive, and as matter O
course your treaties with foreign gov
ernments would require the approval O
the United States Government.
II is to be hoped that this rough PEI
sketch of the consequences likely d
follow the adoption of either eours
will lead TO full discussion of the sub
ject matter herein. and lead to fulle
understanding of the question at issue
Later on, when the Islands are popu
lated to considerable extent by Am
orleans, it may be well enough to full
annex them as State, but not in tn
near future c. SUPE.
Sault Ste. Marie, Mich, Feb. 29, 1879