Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-07-11
THE HAWAIIAN ISLANDS.
Facts and Figures About Our New
AcQuEsitIOn-The People There.


Of tho United States--the Hawaiian
Islands-has just been given to the pub
lie in a special publication by the Bureau
OF Statistics. 1t consists Of series of
statements relative to the people of the
islands, their number, nativity, occupa-
tons productions, expectations, pur-
chases from other parts of the world
the share which the United States has in
their commerce, the methods OF raising
revenue, and the amount annually col
lected and disburseG, the Indebtedness,
currency postal system, railroads, and
Whipping, freight ami passenger rates
TO and from the United States, wages
paid in various employ ments, and prices
Of provisions and other necessaries of
life. A part OF this information is In the
form of statistical sta tements of the
commerce OF the islands during Il long
period OF years. a portion from the
Hawaiian Year Book and other publica-
tons of that character, and part from
a late report to the state Department by
Consul-General Haywood. and which,
taken together, present the latest ana
most complete statement. or the condl-
lions and business prospects in our new
territory that has been given to the pub
lie.
IMPORTS.
Hawaii. It is shown by this statement.
at present imports almost everything she
uses. aside, OF oourse. from sugar, col
fee. and fruits. attention having been
almost exclusively given to 9he raising OF
sugar. ali of which. aside flDm that con-
sumed in the islands, is exported 10 the
United States Indeed the United states
i'm 1896 took 1854 per cent. of tho entire
exports of the Islands. and supplied
1871 per cent. OF all imports. ana Cohsui-
General Haywood, in his report, eX-
presses the opinion that In case oil an
nexation over 80 per cent. OF the imports
into the islands would be the growth,
nrodrct or manufacture of the United
States and adds that II the American
tariff we're in force in the islands about
S5O0 600 worth of imports which now enter
free OF duty, and are bought In countries
other than the United States, would De
bought from this country, the free lhpor-
tation of fertilizers and coal alone III 1871
amounting TO Si66'ol9
TRAVEL TO THE ISLANDS.
The OPPORTUNITIES for travel between the
United States and Hawaii are described
NV Consul-General Haywood, VINO says
that the bulk of the steam passenger anu
freight traffic between San Francesca anu
Honolulu is controlled by the oceanic
Steamship Company, their rates pelhs -,
cabin passage and SIS steerage' thoush
Number of fine sailing vessels which make
regular trips between Port Townsend ana
san Francisco and Honolulu, with limited
naeseneer accommodations. charge $40 for
| cabin massage. The time for passage De-
! tween San Francisco and Honolulu by
| steamer IS from six to seven days
! Ereight rates from San Francisco are
| nv steamer, s. per ton and b per cent
nrimage: by sailing vessels, 50 per Ton
| and per cent primage. wmie the rales
| IN Atlantic ports are from 80 10 81 PEI
| ton with per cent. primage, ana the du-
ration Of the voyage between Honolulu
and New York from eighty-nine TO l5'
| DAVIS. on the islands there are three
| railroads. which, however, are used prlh-
| cipally in carrying the products OF the
plantations to the various points OF SNIP
ment. and aggregate about seventy miles
| in length.
HAWAIrS CURRENCY.
The currency of the islands is OF the
! same unit of value as that OF the Onlteo
| States. The gold is all of American
! mintage, and United States silver ano
paper money is in circulation, ana passes
| at par. The Hawaiian money is paper
! the paper being secured by silver held ~
! roeerve Banks keep two accounts with
| checks are so worded that the deposition
| NAV specify the account from which the
| check is to be paid, though In case the
| check does not state in what currency II
is TO be paid the law provides that the
holder NAV demand gold If the amount Is
! over $40. The Hawaiian silver money
| amounts TO 81 900 CO., of which $OO,Do Is
held by the government TO secure Ike
amount Of paper The total money IN CIR
| culation is estimated at S.5OOUO. Iht
| rate of exchange is ia per cent or
| eastern cities of the United States anc
/ per cent. on the Pacific coast. Colo is
| NJ n premium of / per cent. The ahhua
internal taxes average S.4S per capita
the total revenue from all sources S,2S5,-
| 07o lin 1866; expenditures $2,iS7l0S, anc
The nublic debt 81, 10l 01i bearing interest
| at and per cent. Commercial travel
lers are, under the laws now in force, re-
ouired TO take out license costing al
| Honolulu for the island upon which II Is
located $50. and on each of the Other
islands $3.50.
| LABOR-MARKET OVERSTOCKED.
The statement is not such as TO en-
| courage those desiring TO seek employ
rnent in Hawaii. Their market for al
| kinds of labor, 1t says, is overstocked
and IL would be very unwise, in the opin
| ion of the Consul General, for any one tC
visit the islands with no capital on the
mere chance of obtaining employment
many OF those who have so arrived be-
ing compelled to return disappointed
f.. Wages on the plantations, including house
| and frewood or room and board. range
| from Sl25 70 s175 per ponth for engineers
! and sugar-boilers; so to 500 per month
for blacksmiths and carpenters; $40 to 81
/ at Artxt ~
| STE per month for book-keepers; $50 TO 81
per month for transfers. In Honolulu
| the rates ore s. TO S. per day for brick
layers and masons. $3.50 10 S. per day fol
| carnenters and painters, and IS 20 s. pei
day for machinisfs. Cooks receive from
| & 10 Sc per week; nurses, house-servants
and gardeners. 81 10 sl2 per month. Re
tan prices of provisions are as follows
Hams. i6 TO SOC. per pound; bacon, Is Il
2Oc; -four. $3.50 TO IS per 100 pounds: rice
1925 TO IS per 100 pounds; butter % 20 soc
per pound: eggs p 10 soc. per dozen
and fee. Iisc. per pound.
THE ISLANDS PRODUCTIONS.
Curiousy. the productions of the island.
are almost entirely a class Of article.
for which the people OF the United State:
have in the past been compelled to SEM
money outside OF their own borders
Sugar, coffee. tropical fruits, and rice
for which we send abroad more thar
500. 600 annually, are the chief produc
tions of the islands, and while the guam
| tity so produced amounts to less thar
one-tenth OF this sum. IL is believed thai
| 1t may be materially increased. and e
this extent our expenditures for this class
of articles be. In future. kept within oul
own borders and among our own people
| OF sugar, OF which II is said the Hawaiian
lc1r I'll l..