New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-10-01
HAWAIIAN GOVERNMENT.
TIE AMERICAN MEMBERS OF THE COM
MISSION RETURN
MANY DIFFICULT QUESTIONS CONSIDERED
AND SOME STILL OPEN-LILIUO-
KALANTS CLAIMS.
FAY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE. ]

bers Of the Hawaiian Commission returned to-
day on the steamer Gaelic. They brought with
them the draft of the bill for The new govern
nient Of the territory Of Hawaii. which has not
been formally approved by them, but is sub
stantially the measure which will be submitted
TO Congress in December. The Commissioners
refused to talk Of their work except In the most
general terms. but they said they perfectly
satisfied with the results.
Aside from the general determination of max
ing the form Of the new government a Terrific
rial one, there were many questions which were
difficult of settlement and some Of these are
still open. Not the least of these was that Of
suffrage. On the general question 1t was agreed
that the citizens of the islands should vote free
ly, but when the time came to determine the
qualifications of the electors who will choose
members OF the upper house Of the Legislature,
the Senate. 1t was insisted by the islanders that
there should be a money qualification. This was
finally put in the tentative draft of the bill at
81 900 assessed valuation. or $4,000 worth OF
property. This viii reduce the number Of elect
crs for members Of the Senate materially.
QUESTION OF CONTRACT LABOR.
The question Of contract labor was another
question which called for many conferences. As
the bill not stands. II provides that there shall
be granted to planters ten years in which they
shall Re required 10 change from contract to
free labor plan. one concession. which may
open the way to further discussion was insist
ence upon the provision that there shall he i'm
ported for all tina Oriental labor for the rice
fields. The sugar planters are emphatic in their
opinion that these conditions are necessary 70
enable them to carry on the production Of sugar.
Since the closing of the meetings of the Com
m sal IN found
out what the plans Of the Commission are rs
to labor and legislative problems. and it IS said
on authority that there will be many Havaiians
at The National capital when Congress takes up
the question of the settlement. and that ,fhey
will come prepared to convince leeisatdts n
such a thing is possible.
As to land laws there Will be few changes.
The Commissioners are united i'm the belief that
the present laws. which prevent the taking up
OF large holdings and their consolidation. are
most beneficial, and adapted TO the conditions
Of the country. AS to crown lands. II is under
stood there will be settlement made with the
late Queen on basis to he mutually agreed
upon the negotiations to he conducted by
commissioner from this country who has no
CHANGES IN LOCAL LAWS
One Of the provisions in the reformed laws
been distinguishing feature Of Hawaiian ten
urs According to the native plan the holder ~
riparian rights controlled the listing priyiles d,
for one mile to sea BY the Commissioners
plan the sea will he open to fishermen from all
points II was urged upon the Commission that
the navigation laws Of this country should not
be extended 70 the islands now. but that shrs
Of every nation should be allowed to trade With
the islands The Commission will not allow
this. according 10 present plans. but there is
chance that the Hawaiian members Of the
Commission will be able to bring pressure to
bear when they arrive that will result in this
concession to foreigners in the islands
Every local revenue institution will be turned
over 70 the American executive department
having such matters in charge at once. and the
disestablishment Of the postal savings bank
will be accomplished AT once. unless after con-
ference with the authorities in Washington IT is
thought wise 70 continue II as an experiment.
There will be provision made for revenue cutter
service. and also for internal revenue service in
the islands at once.
While these are only outlines of some Of the
most important points in the bill. it is known
that the system Of the courts is to he radically
changed. so as TO permit of distinct city and
territorial government which will as well revo-
port which is to accompany the bill it is said
two features will be Of great moment. One is
clause which will urge an appropriation for the
opening Of the reef which shuts out vessels from
Pearl Harbor
Members of the Commission. when they vis
tied the harbor. were enthusiastic over its pos
sibilities. Taken In connection with the fact
that the harbor Of Honolulu contains only sew
Antv-fve acres Of anchorage room. il is argued
that the wider area Of Pearl Harbor is necessary
70 the expansion OF trade which will follow
American domination In fact. with the neces-
sity Of naval establishment in the islands
there is no course open but to make a larger
harbor available.
The second point which will attract most at
tenton Is the recommendation that the Govern
ment establish and build itself the cables from
San Francisco 10 the islands and between the
various islands. The necessity for means OF
communication being in the hands Of the Gov
ernment appeals to the members Of the Com
mission forcibly, and the recommendation In this
respect is most strong.
In speaking Of the work Of the Commission.
Senator Cullom said:
I'VE have done much possible in the
time at our disposal. and we have covered the
ground thoroughly. When we meet in Washing
ton we shall go to work at once on our report
SUGAR TRUSTS POLICY UNCHANGED.
PURSUING THE SAME COURSE AS LAST YEAR
NEW ELEMENTS AFFECTING THE QUESTION.
Honolulu. Sept g. via San Francisco. Sept 30
fsreciaD-There Is evidence that the Sugar Trust
,s repeating the action Ct q wear ago. when II
drove n large portion OF the Sugar Trust planters
,n,o the opposition camp. year the Trust
sought 10 make contracts with planters for sugar.
but on such terms that all save two plantation
agencies refused to contract with IT, and shipped
10 vears crop partly around the Horn 20 New