The Hawaiian gazette., 1898-09-02
Colony Elias Hearing Be.
fore Commission.
Represented BY Attorney F.. N.
Hatoh-kany Questions Asked.
Precedsnt-Two Lawyers.
(From Thursdays Daily


torney, f. NJ. Hatch. At once Mr.. Hatch
was invited to address the Commission.
He said that the Chinese stood to suffer
more injury from the change Of sovereign.
~ than any other nationality. on account
of the laws OF the United States. There
ought to be distinction made between
the Chinese who had been here a great
many years and the Chinese against
whom United States laws were devised.
All that those gentlemen asked was that
no discrimination be shown against them.
1t might fairly be claimed that those
Cinnamon who had been here long time
had vested rights. At the same time he
thought they were more disturbed than
for departure from the established poll
cy OF the United States with regard to
the Chinese. They did not ask that the
immigration They thought those who
were here when the American flag was
raised should be protected in their prop
erty interests. Their property, holders i,Ir
against them as to their rights to do bust
ness and to hold property, They had
desire that those born In the country or
naturalized should have the rights OF citi-
zenship. That appealed to all members
of this community, who thought that all
who were Hawaiian citizens should nave
the rights of American citizenship. speak
ing for himself as well as for those China
men who have been citizens OF Hawaii,
he thought rights Of citizenship should
Mr.. Morgan-To full citizenship-giving
the suffrage?
Yes When once they departed from the
regular course the door was opened ior
aliens here when the flag was raised. He
contended when the United states TOOK
over this country It should take cogniH-
ance of the conditions found In Hawaii.
The Government of Hawaii had granted
rights of citizenship to people OF other
races but to moderate extent. Some
Chinese were naturalized who had the
same rights as any Hawaiian citizen.
What is the exact state OF the law re-
garding Chinese?
There has been a very rigid exclusion
Act. Beginning eight or ten years ago
II has been made more exclusive from
year to year until now It is very rigid.
Has IL been rigidly enforced?
Yes. Provisions were made for the re-
turn of Chinese who had already been
here. II It had not been rigidly enforced
there would have been great many more
here. because there has been a larger de-
mand for iaborers. His claim was entire
~ for present Chinese residents.
Mr. Morgan-Chinese merchants are al
lowed to enter the United States.
Mr. Cullom read the clause In the an
nexation resolution excluding Chinese in
Hawaii from the United States.
Mr. Hatch-They have made no request
on that account. They are opposed 70
any more strict regulations against their
going to and from their own country.
They want liberty to send their children
to China to be educated. also for repre-
sentatives of mercantile establishments TO
come here. without making any attempt
TO have the policy of the United states
changed, they want you to understand
what their position would be here II any
undue application of those laws were
made to them. They have mercantile
houses established here for many years,
and simply wish that they may continue
their business without any more restric-
tons than now from the rigid Hawaiian
Exclusion Act. 1t was desired that the
six months residence privilege to mer-
chants be preserved They made their ap-
peal under the impression that the Com
mission was here to receive recommended
lions
How many naturalxod Cinnamon are in
the Islands?
Seven hundred and twenty-five have
been naturaliZed.
Have they been Disseminated against
regarding the franchise?
Yes. They only ask for the preservation
of the rights they had under the Hawai-
ian law. Those naturalized men wish to
DE treated as citizens with the right to
come and go-the right OF birth In given
Jurisdiction. 1t simpliiies the matter very
much that the number is so small.
They plea is for civil rights rather than
Entirely civil rights. They should not
suffer from construction of the resolution
the exact terms of which should be OBJ
served.
! Mr.. Hatch here made a legal argument
TO the effect that Chinese Of Hawaiian
citizenship ought not to ~ treated as
Chinese under the resolution but as Ha-
waiian citizens.
Mr.. Hit asked II they were not claimed
as Chinese subjects as soon as they came
under the power of the Chinese Govern
ment.
Mr.. Hatch replied that there was no in
formation here on that point No claim
had ever been made on the Hawaiian Gov
tabished residence here Some had in
termarried with Hawaiian women and the
results sn had been happy There Mere Mere a.,
not include half castles.
Mr.. Dole rather thought the number in
cluded those of Chinese descent.
Mr. Cullom asked of what race children
of Chinese and Hawaiian parents were
classified.
Mr.. Hatch did not think that had ever
been settled In law. Children born OF
alien parents in a country were, In some
cases he cited, privileged to elect for
themselves their allegiance on coming of
age. The United States should take Ha-
were departed from. there was no saying
where the end would be. There should
be no reflection on any former Hawaiian
Government for Its naturalization of Chi
nese.
Mr.. Hatch argued the plea of the Chi
nese rice planters that they should be al
lowed to introduce Chinese laborers to
cultivate rice. They had large amount
invested In the industry The work was
exceedingly laborious, done in the water,
and'no other race could do II.
Mr.. Cullom-You have shut them out
yourselves.
Mr.. Hatch-No. We have permitted
Chinese to come In under restrictions pro-
yiding that they shall only remain as
laborers in the field.
Mr.. Morgan Inquired If II was the prin-
cple to regard Hawaiian-born children OF
Chinese as Hawaians. would II not also
apply to the children of japanese contract
laborers?
Mr.. Hatch was not aware that any prin-
ciple had grown up. That-referring to
the restriction of recent Chinese immi-
grants to agricultural labor-is law re-
Gently made.
Mr.. Morgan asked II 1t was ever deter
mined under the Constitution who were
citizens of Hawaii?
stitution.
Mr.. Frear cited a recent United States
decision to the effect that all persons born
IN the United States were it's citizens.
Mr.. Hatch finally argued that, from the
tact mat the annexation resolution pre-
vented Chinese from entering other parts
OF the United States, there was strong
reason In the claim that the Chinese here
should have special consideration given
their vested rights in the country
Attorney Geo. A. Davis informed the
Commission that Honolulu should have