The Independent. [volume] (Honolulu, H.I.) 1895-1905, 1897-10-07
LOOK BEFORE you LEAP.

LOOK BEFORE you LEAP.
The Hawaiians and other citizens
of these islands have heard q great
deal lately about the political rights
they will obtain after annexation.
Our veracious Government, Mr.
Morgan OF Alabama, aud the annex
alton organs are daily preaching,
that in case OF annexation to the
United States the full rights OF an
American citizen will be secured
to all of us.
A number of people have listened
to the clap-trap platitudes OF the
annexation boomers, and have been
considering, whether it would not
be a good idea to have annexation,
and thus "turn the missionaries out"
To do 50 would of course be very
praiseworthy object. The only
trouble is, that it will not be gained
by annexation, even il Hawaii should
be admitted to the Union as q State.
The Dole oligarohy has no inten-
ton of stepping down and out, and
tho men now in power will take
good care not to propose consti-
tuition for the State or Territory of
Hawaii, which would give the Gov
ernment to the people. In the
opinion of our planters and their
obedient administration, the Hawai-
ian people is unfit to rule itself.
Read Col. z. S. Spalding's state.
ments in 1894, when he appeared
before the congressional committee
in Washington, which was investi-
eating the Stevens episode in Ha.
waii.
Senator Gray asked: You do not
think republic would be good
form of government for the people
of that country who are now entitled
to suffrage7
Mr.. Spalding.-No.
Senator Frye. With the suffrage
practically universali
Mr.. Spalding.-Not as it ia now,
under the Constitution of 1897
Senator Gray.-Would you think
the outlook for republican form of
government better if the right of
suffrage were more extensive9
Mr.. Spalding.-No, should think
that the people there, from the cir
cumstances surrounding them, are
not favorable to republican form
Of government. There is not enough
interest in the country for repub-
lic-there are too many waves Of
prosperity and depression
Senator Frye.-Suppose there were
a limit to the suffrages
Mr.. Spalding.-If you were to
limit the suffrage, then you might
have a government which would, in
my opinion, be safe and advisable in
the proportion that it would be
limited.
Senator Frye-But that would
not be government Of the people.
Mr.. Spalding.-It would not.
Senator Gray.-The more narrow
the suffrage, the more stable the
government?
Mr.. Spalding.-Yes, because these
people are like a good many in the
United States-better governed than
governing.
Senator Gray.-They need to be
governed?
Mr.. Spalding.-I think so.
The Chairman.-What do you
think OF the future success of Ha-
waii as government, having refer
ence to the welfare of all classes in
that country, if that government
taking the Constitution of 1887 as a
basis--should be placed in the
hands OF native kanaka dynastyi
Mr.. Spalding.-If it were placed
in the hands OF a native kanaka
dynasty it would probably run back
to where it was when Captain Cook
visited it.
The Chairman.-You think those
people need to be under oontroli
Mr.. Spalding,--While the King
has been on the throne the brains
OF the whites have carried on the
government.
Canaf,r Grau-Va,, fh;nL thax