The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-12-07


sary 10 extend our labor laws over the
islands. SO as TO prohibit all kinds OF for
eign contract labor from coming into the
territory. first because it is the policy Of
this country 10 keep out all kinds OF cheap
foreign labor. including coolie labor. and
thereby prevent such labor from interfe--
ing with the wages OF American labor; and
secondlv- 10 protect our manufactured
products from competition with manufac-
tured goods made by cheap alien labor. The
general laws OF the United States VIII place
the people Of the territory on the same foot
ing as the people of the states and other
territories OF the United States in regard
10 forsiSn latar. The question whether
white labor can profitahly be utilized IN the
sugar plantations is yet problem. but the
planters are preparing to give such labor
a trial and some Of them believe il will
prove superior TO the labor OF either Chi
na or Jaoan."
Not q Precedent for Other Colonies.
The commissioners take pains to express
their united opinion that the plan outlined
for the government Of Hawaii cannot be
regarded as precedent for Porto Rico and
the Philippines. saying on this point:
Much has been said 10 the effec; that
the policy Of Ihe scheme for the government;
OF the Hawaiian islands VIII be taken and
accented as an index or precedent 20 be
Porto Rico and the Philippines In view
Of this apparent expectation or belief on the
part OF many good people in the United
States. the commission thinks IL proper TO
state that the people of Hawaii are capable
OF self-9overnment. and have proven this
bv thu establishment OF the republic of
Hawaii and the adoption of a constitution
and code OF laws which will compare favor
ablv with those of any other government,
and under such constitution and laws have
maintained a stable government for several
years worthy OF a free people. The people
Of those Islands are more or less familiar
with the institutions and laws OF the United
States, while the laws of the little republic
are largely taken from the laws of this
country. It cannot be said that either the
Porto Ricans or the FilipinoS are at all
familiar with our system of government, or
with any other based on the principles OF
liberty. The underlying theory Of our gov
ernnent Is the right of self-government.
and a people must be fitted for self-govern-
meut before they can be trusted with the
responsibilities and duties attaching to free
government These remarks are made 10
negative the idea that because the people
of the Hawaiian islands can, I'm the juGg-
ment OF the commission, be consistently
given self-government TO an extent almost
equal TO that given the people In the states,
it can be safely inferred that other insular
possessions which the United States have,
or may acquire by treaty with Spain, can
be granted equal freedom in government"
President Dole's Objection.
The report is unanimous, except upon one
point, on which President Dole makes .
minority Recommendation. This recominen.
dation is for board OF advisors 10 the
governor OF the territory. and he recon-
mends that the treasurer, attorney general.
superintendent of public works and COM
missioner OF public lands shall be- consti-
tuted counselors of the governor, to be con-
suited by him concerning all matters Of pub
l:c policy
Mr. Dole gives as his reason for this rec
ommendatlon the fear that without some
such provision. the governor Ray arrogate
10 himself greater power than is eontem-
plated. Outlining his reasons for this posi-
ton. he says:
While with some msgivngs / have as
scented to the provisions of the majority re-
port, which places the executive power in
the hands of one individual and does away
with the executive council. l am unable 20
accept those which confer upon the govern
or the appointment of all subordinate Of
fcers and which. while giving him the APP
pointment OF heads of departments, with
the approval of the senate, permits him 10
remove them without such approval. a
power not enjoyed by the president OF the
United States. Nor can l agree to the alb
sence OF any provision whatever checking
the governors executive power under the
laws. excepting as 10 the approval OF the
senate required in certain appointments.
The weight of the objection will be bet
ter understood in view of the recommended
ton of the commissioners that the leg.sla-
ture hold regular sessions but once in two
years as heretofore. which circumstance
Il
tunity, II he should choose 10 seize IL, OF
removing any or all heads OF departments
Immediately after the termination OF the
regular session OF the legislature and fill
ing their places with persons whose post
tons would be valid until the next session
Of the senate, which might not occur for
nearly two years Fly this means a gov
ernor, acting within his authority. cou.d
substantially evaie the provision requiring
these appointments to lie approved by the
senate
THE performances o: Ike character un-
der the monarchy are too fresh in the
minds of the Hawaiian community 10 per-
nit them IN contemplate without dismay
the possibility Of repetition thereof.
The governor under the provisions Of
the acts recommended by the commission
VIII have less check 10 his administrati3 n
u afairs taan was the case with the SOW
eVeigns under the monarchy. excepting only
II the matter Of tenure OF Office"
The majoriy. IN their report express the
opinion that the rrecaut!on IS rot neces-
sary, saving that "the history Of territories
of the United States. covering many years
II experience. has nor. in the opinion Of
the commiss.o shown necessity for the
|. creation of any number q advisors
Dealing With Hawaiian Currency.
OF the other tao bills. enc relates 10 ua-
waiian silver and the treasury notes. and
the other to postal savings hanks in Ha-
vail The drst provides that unmutila5-
ID Hawaiian silver coins shall be received
A: par value IN payment OF al duties %
the government OF the territory q Ha-
vail ana % the United States ana shall
not again - issued but shah. upon pres
enta,ion in sums of $40. to either govern
n1eat. Re purchased and re-coinei as bull
ion "a; the United States mint a, san
/ Francisco. All Hawaiian silver certificates