The Independent. [volume] (Honolulu, H.I.) 1895-1905, 1897-07-03
Labor Councils DenGunCa Ia.
waits Annexation.
A Scathing Rebuke to the Annex
ationists and the Existing Co..
ditions Under the oligarchy.


sition to the proposed annexation of
the Hawaiian Islands as far as the
deliberations OF its committee on
law and legislation go. At recent
meeting OF the COMMITTEES the fol-
lowing resolutions we're unanimous
ly adopted:
WHEREAS, A treaty Of annexation
OF the Hawaiian Islands has been
submitted to the Senate of the
United States for its ratification;
and whereas, contracts to labor are
specifically enforceable 10 the so.
called Republic Of Hawai-; and
whereas, such treaty provides that
"all laws, civil, Judicial and military
are to continue uatil Congress shall
provide for the government OF such
islands;" and whereas, this treaty
provides that the present laws gov
erning labor and contracts to labor
are to continue in force therefore
be it
Resolved, By the San Francisco
Labor Council, iu regular session as
sembled on June Is, 1897, that such
annexation is contrary to the best
interests Of this country for the
following reasons:
First--Because slavery and invo-
luatary servitude now existing in
these islands will have a tendency to
be extended to the came latitude,
climate and employment within our
country.
Second-Because such Involuntary
servitude may now, under the deci-
sion of the Supreme Court Of the
United States 10 the case OF Robert
Robertson ct al vs. Barry Baldwin
(Arago case), be 80 extended, the
court having therein decided that
specific enforcement of contract to
labor is rot inherently either against
the Constitution or public policy.
Third-Because government in
these islands, with ninety percent of
the population DISTINGUISHED, cannot
rest upon the consent OF the gov
erned, unless the right OF franchise
be extended to the Mongolians-
such extension would, however, we
think, give them the franchise also
in other parts Of the Union.
Fourth-Because the disfranchise.
ment OF Chinese, Japanese, litter
ates, and propertyless men Of all
races has created, and will undoubt-
eddy continue, in these islands
form OF governmental igarchy-in-
herently opposed to the institutions
of this country.
Fifth-Because freedom and in
voluntary servitude- Oligarchy and
Democrscy-cannot oo-exist in the
same country, under the same flag
"One,' said Lincoln, "will destroy
the other" We believed him then,
aud 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 particeps criminis
strong enough to protect them
against the logical and historical re-
ult-insurrection-of their inhuman
aud unAmerican action in import
ing and enslaving on their plsnta-
tions vast number of an alien race.
Seventh Because it would OF
necessity cause foreign complication
and thus distract the attention from
domestic conditions, which now and
for sometime to come will tax the
best hearts and broadcast intellects
within our country for their solu-
ton. And
Resolved, That for the above rea-
sons we ask the California Senators
and Congressman to oppose this
treaty, which is in itself the reversal
OF the policy of over 100 years and
contrary to the advice and admoni-
ton Of Washington.