The San Francisco call., 1897-10-20

event OF a9nexation, we will retain the ad-
vantages that have accrued under the reci-
procity treaty. The Republican party OF the
United States instituted reciprocal trade rela-
tions with foreign powers. Negotiations
along this line are now pending with France.
According 10 the importance OF our trade will
be the benefits granted to US by the United
States. We will give and they will return.
What have we seen in six snort years? The
reciprocity treaty with free sugar, under the
Mckinley tariff; sugar paying duty OF cent
and fraction under the Wilson tariff; sugar
at two cents and fraction under the Dingley
tariff. A reaction viii surely follow. do not
believe II is well TO borrow trouble about W hat
. will happen if annexation fails.
Annexation Will change the fiscal AFFAIRS OF
Hawaii You should understand that ln-
creased taxation must follow annexation
Just here wish to pay tribute OF admlra-
tion to the men who have Willingly taxed
themselves tens of thousands OF dollars 10
promote annexation while their lamentations
are heard from Hawaii TO Niihau because OF
the assess ments OF the Tax Collector for the
support OF what is said TO be 1.-The best Govern
ment these islands ever mad" Let me say 10
you that annexation will reyolut.onize the
whole iab Dor system of these islands.
1t viii be said, because OF the record have
made, that l should be one OF the first to favor
such move. i have come to view with favor
just and humane system OF contract labor,
where the conditions OF the contract are well
understood. Warn you that annexation Will
import the shArpest kind of competition
along certain lines. Men will come here 10
undertake the mechanical arts. Everv clerk
behind g counter, all skilled labor. will
feel the competition keenly. The field
lab0rer Will be the only one not to feel comp
tition. The scale o. wages in San francisco
will be the scale for Hawaii. The fortunate
men in the labor market will be the field la
bOrersi they are to be protected, for we are
given TO understand that after annexation no
more Asiatics will be allowed 10 enter these
islands. Just as surely q the wage of the
skilled laborer Is reduced you viii! find that of
the field laborer VIII be increased. l have led
up to this statement because those who desire
annexation say ii VIII be best for the sugar
interest Now, believe IN that interest, but
l am not ready 10 grant everything in The
world to IL. Alter annexation, with the cos t
of la Dor increased and he duty on sugar les
seped, where will be the advantage 1 am
wondering whether the bearing of annexation
upon the sugar interest has been well consid-
cred.
We should think, too. how we can shoulder
the burden OF the DIngley tariff; how ii is 10
affect our commerce. The cost of many articles
brought from England, France, Germany,
Japan and China Will be increased. This tariff
is denounced alike by prOtectionistS, free
traders and iair traders. Have We considered
lis bearings upon our trade? When the Senate
OF Hawaii met last month il took but q snort
time 10 ratlty the treaty OF annexation. Moth
ing was said OF lis advantages or disadYGn-
tageS.
Permit me TO say to you that, as a Hawaiian.
am indignant at the action which took place
mere on the lIth OF January, 1898. As an Off
spring of American parentage | am ashamed
of that action. l believe that all that has fol-
lowed that tai day-and all that has been
laid upon US during The past four years-has
been because OF the false step taken on that
day. 1t seems to me that ali that has been
undertaken by the present Government has
been because the men in power took counsel
of their fears rather than of their good judg-
ment.
Anti-annexationist should have the courage
OF their convictions; their silence now may
cause regrets later on.
If there is one Thing more than another 10 be
admired in the Hawaiians 1t is the patience
shown by them under wrongs. L want 10 saw
now that your patience must surely meet
reward, sooner or later; that if justice and
truth have been crushed to earth they must
rise; that good time Is coming. I would lot
exclte passion or temper would excite in
the breast of all OF you a righteous indigna-
non. What | have said l believe, and have
. said II Tor the purpose of giving you all food
for thought in closing let me say that ii is
right for you 10 urge action in all lawful ways
to preserve and perpetuate Hawaiian inde-
pendence.
AT the close of Mr.. Certer's address, on
motion of +. J. Testa, who acted "a inter-
prefer throughout the memorial, which
had been read in Hawaiian and Engl sh
was adopted amid immense cheering, and
the large gathering quietly dsbursed
with farewell cheers for the Hawaiian flag
and independence.