The San Francisco call., 1897-10-23
ARE OPPOSED
TO ANNEXATION
The Laboring Men Do Not
Want the Hawaiian
Islands.
A Protesting Mass eeting Now
in Contemplation by the
Labor Council.
From Reports of the Delegates the
Wave of Prosperity Seems to
Have Arrived.

At last nights meeting of San Francisco
La bor Council one thing was made evil
dent-the working men of San Francisco
are strongly opposed to the annexation of
Hawaii and the resultant influx of large
mum ber of coolies. This fact was exem-
plihed in scathing resolutions long ago,
but was again brought up and thoroughly
discussed when w. J. Macarthur of the
Coast Seam ems Union introduced a reso-
luton providing that the former action of
the council be ratified at a mass-meeting
to be held at some future date.
he resolution was opposed by j. h.
Phi lips of the Typograp ph zeal Union on
the grounds that such a meeting could
not be held without putting the affiliated
unions to some expense, and, speaking for
himself, he feared that his union would
not be willing to stand their share, as the
matter has two sides, either of which may
be N ade TO appear the best by any one
who has studied the matter. 1t was
distinctly a political issue, which should
not be discussed on the floor OF the coun.
Gil, but bv the Representatives at WASH
ington. In reply to this Mr.. Macarthur
said:
II think that the council should not
only reatfirm the action 1t has already
taken regarding the annexation move
ment, but should ratify it by a mass
meeting held to protest against anneXa-
tion-
lone of the Senators from California
has acknowledged that he is undecided
on the question, as he does not know how
the working people stand. This is not a
political question; it is an industrial one.
1t is whether the people are in favor ofin-
voluntary seryttude or not, as one OF the
highest tribunals in the country says
| that, according to the treaty, this condl-
| ton must continue to exist on the islands
if they are admitted. 1t means, also, that
| the people are in favor OF involuntary
servitude, and will admit slave State
and may mean a resurrection of the slave
question.
"It means, too, large taxation for the
maintenance of a navy and garrison on
this outpost of the United States.
'lf we need deienses against foreign
powers let US put them along the Pacific
| seaboard. and let others garrison an island
| In the sea.
1.-The capitalists and plutocrats who are
now seeking to enslave the workingmen
are those who are really at the bottom of
what is not political, but capltalistic
| scheme"
| Mr.. McArthur's remarks were coincided
in by Mr.. Furuseth of the Coast Seamen's
| Union, Mr.. Davis oil the Musicians Union
| and many others, and il was finally de-
! ciGe ed to refer the matter of holding a
mass-meeting to the individual unions,
and it is probable that favora ble action
will be taken at an early date.
| From reports of the delegates the wave
of prosperity seems fairly to have made
its appearance. The glass-b overs re-
ported that they will all soon be back to
| work and that one of the two glass fac
tories has enlarged its plant by put
ting in an additional furnace. The mu-
sic ians have won their fight with the pro-
pretors of the Ocean Beach pavilion, VINO
| will now employ union musicians, and
| the bakers having won their fight against
Davitt and Daily declare that other suits
| will follow this.