The Hawaiian gazette., 1897-10-15
TELLING ARGUMENTS MADE
II Annexation IS a Burden OF Gov
=ernment- How About Calfor-
MA and Alaska Is

Labor Commissioner Fitzgerald Of
California writes the following answer
to senator Whites article on aunexs-
ton which appeared il the Cali Of
October 5:
In Al article published in morning
paper. over he signature Of Senator
White. certain statements are made in
rslztion 70 the Hawaiian Islands. and
Il the same should so unchallenged.
they might impress the public th2;
they were tue
The science OF government shows,
and has slwzys shown the greatest
achievement and the greatest advance
neat TO he NOS capable Il is then
the policy o. this, the greatest Of al
nations. 10 confess our inability in the
bzssle o. intellect and p-ognessiveness.
sid awzrd the palm 70 Others, and 70
be shown results and the proof OF our
infrmities.
1T is also claimed that we would
have s burden OF government under
annexation. Accepting this as good
logic il would have been better Il
California hsd not been admitted into
the Union, we should have abandoned
the taking OF Alaska. and II nigh,
have been well 10 have allowed the
southern States 10 have seeded. as we
would then have been relieved o. the
burden Of government
1t Is vel 70 guide the actions Of a
Government by hxed traditions and
principles 50 long IS those traditions
and principles are compatible with
the progress OF the country: but as
the world becomes more enlightened
daily these principles co not change
and the evolution. proETessiveness. ad-
vzncsment and expansion nus; needs
reform principles and policies 10 meet
the exigenoies q changed conditions.
nationality and internationally. some
o. the wisest statesmen and diplomats
that this country has produced have
ably and convinoingiy shown the nee
esSlcy o. a departure from the shadows
of ,he past The acquisition q the ter
rlto-y q Alaska would never have
taken place had such spirit and con
vicuols as those Of senator White
p-e5oniaated. K needs no explanation
10 show the wisdom Of that policy,
and those who 50 earnestly advocated
that measure are on record just as
-oaloasly and energeicAlly in regard
10 the annexation o; the Hawaiian
Islands
In speaking Of the Hawaiian plant
ers paying wages merely because We
absorb the country. etc; this is not
the reason why the planter wishes 10
change his labor from the eoolie 70
the Anglo-SzSon; but for the reason
thar il VII bring into their midst the
true bone and sinew OF nation which
Is more reliable. and VIII become pro-
ducers and consumers. where the alien
becomes q menace. / wish 10 reite-ats
thar portion OF ny report which / made
upo1 my return from the Islands:
That IL IS my opinion that ten thou
sand good American Iaborers viii per-
form the work nov performed by the
twenty-five 20 thirty thousand Japan
ess
II Is further stated that The rate OF
wages paid does not excite the envy
Of American labor. The rate Of wages
paid IN California does not excite the
envy OF American labor. and il Senator
Waite vas ever the hirsr OF help he
would know that no nan intends 70
perform any more work than what he
is paid for. and when the japanese in
Hawaii fixed their Own wages from ten
20 twelve dollars Per month, they did
not intend 10 give in return any more
than that amount OF service Il is
business proposition With the planters,
and not & sentimental one. I can fur
rher state that the laborsrs on the
plantations are sure OF their pay when
their work Is performed. and that Is
mora than can Be said OF the conditions
here. also. the quarters that are pro-
vided for them are better than here
in California
When I returned from Hawaii last
Nay. I brought bonz-fide orders from
the planters for American labor al as
good q rate OF wages as are being paid
in California, together with Al order on
Welch & Co for transportation; but
I have not undertaken 20 I'll the same
as Al uncertain market makes an IN
certain standard Of wages and until
the pending legislation IN regard 10 an
nexztio1 i settled, ! shall make 10
move TO send Americans 10 the Islands
While the continuance Of reciprocity
would insure z steady market, II L
universally believed that the defeat OF
annexation viii carry with il the de-
feat Of reciprocity; the enemies OF