The San Francisco call., 1897-06-20
LABOR IS
OPPOSED To
ANNEXATION
A Committee From the
Council Declares
Against It.
rs CONTRARY TO FREE
INSTITUTIONS.
Involuntary Servituie May, in
Consequence, Be Extended
to This Country.
FRANCHISE SHOULD NOT BE
WASTED.
California Senator'S aud Congressme n
Asked 10 Fight the Treaty on
GROUNDS cf Pure Patriotism.

The Labor Council of San Francisco has
declared itself in opposition to the pro-
posed annexation of the Hawaiian Islands
as far as the deliberations of its commit
tee on law and legislation 60. At re-
cent meeting OF the committee the follow
ing resolutions were unanimously adopted
WHEREAS. A treaty of annexation of the Ha-
waiian Islands has been submitted to the Sem
ate of the United States for its ratification
and whereas, contracts to labor are sp. officially
enforce able in the so-called Republic OF Ha-
wall; and whereas, such treaty provides that
"all laws, civil judicial and military are TO
continue until COGgr, IS >hall provide for the
government of such Islands,; and whereas,
this treaty prov des that the present laws gov
erning labor and contracts to labor are TO con-
t1nue in force; therefore be il
ResoIUed, BY he San Francisco Labor Coun-
Gil. in regular session assem bled on June IS,
1897, that such annexation is contrary to the
best Interests of this country for The following
reesons
First-Because slavery and involuntary
serVitude now existing IN these islands will
have a tendency TO be extended 10 the same
latitude, climate and employment within our
second-Because such involuntary servitude
may now. under the decision of the Supreme
Court OF the United States in the case of
Robert Robertson ct al. VS.. Barry Baldwin
tArago case), be so extended, the court having
therein decided that specific enforcement of
contract to labor is not inherently either
Thtrd-Because government in these islands,
with ninety per cen of the population disfran-
chised, cannot rest upon the consent of the
governed, unless the right OF franchise be
extended TO the MongoliRns-such extension
would, however, we think, give them the fran
chise also in other parts OF the Union.
Fourth-Because the disfranchisement of
Chinese, Japanese, flliterates, and propertyless
men OF al races has created, and viii IN
doubleday continue. in these islands form of
ligarchy-inherently opposed
TO the institutions of this country.
Flith-BecaUse freedom and involuntary
servitude-oligarchy and Democracy-caunot
co-eXist in The same country. under the same
other" We believed him then, and believe
him now.
Sixth-The conspirators in these islands
finding themselves unable to continue by
their own power the slavery they have
created, are now but seeking a particep ps
criminis strong enough to protect them
against the logical and historical resuli-in-
surrection oil their inhuman and un-
American action in importing and enslaving
on their plantations a vast nun ber of an alien
race
Seventh-Because it would of necessity
cause foreign complication ana thus distract
the attention from domestic conditions,
which now and for some time 10 come will tax
the best hearts aid brosdest intellects
within our country for their solution. AMI
ResolUed, That Tor the above reasons We ask
the California Senators and Congressmen to
oppose this treaty, which is in itself the re-
versal of the policy OF over 100 years and con-
trary to the advice and admonition of Wash
ington.
Approved and signed by the law and legis-
lative committee of the San Francisco Labor
Council: S. L. Robins, NJ. Davis, John Hill,
Charles BatIerman, James W. JamieSOn.
Recording and Corresponding Secretary San
Francisco Labor Council.