The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1899-07-28
LABOR QUESTION
Some of the Objects of Mr.
Rays Visit.
Has No Doubt the Terri orisl Bill
VII Pass at ihs NJ ~
Copsr.

for the purpose of viewing the out
break, says the Hilo Herald. Mr.. Ray
is the secretary of the Senate Inter-
State Commerce Committee and pri-
vate secretary to Senator Cullom. He
came here with the United States
Commission last year, and his visit to
the Islands at this time is for the pur
pose of investigation. Specifically he
will look into the matter of labor and
his report will be handed to Senator
Cullom on his return.
You will understand he said to
a Herald representative, that the COM
mission looked pretty generally into
everything when here, but when they
arrived back in Washington and
framed the bill that was presented to
Congress, and defeated, they found a
pretty strong opposition. This came.
in part, from the anti-expansionists
and from men who oppose the meas
ure with main view to disorganizing
the Republican side. The bill will be
brought up early in the next session
of Congress and the commissioners
want to make their position as strong
as possible For that reason / was dis
patched to the Islands to ascertain the
exact number of laborers arriving here
since the 18th day of August, and the
number departing. Then l will find
out the laborers and their nationality
engaged on the Islands in agricultural
pursuits. This labor question is apt to
cut an important part in the debate in
the Senate, and both Senator Morgan
and Senator Cullom are anxious to be
familiar with every detail.
Il cannot say whether the United
States labor laws will be extended
here. but | feel free to say that the
present labor laws of Hawaii will be
modified. Since annexation took
place Chinese immigration has ceased,
but the laws of the Islands permit un-
limited immigration of Japanese. This
can hardly be considered fair. or
course, the Japanese can come in by
their treaty, but it may be necessary
to make some arrangements with that
government regarding future immi-
grafton If this is to be done ! guess
the United States Is in a position to
make the arrangements.
while | am on the Islands | will
confer with the planters and others and
get their views. ! have had an inter-
esting conversation with II. p. Bald
win, and he has promised to give me
his views in writing. This and any
other reports | may have | will hand
Senator Cullom on my return and the
commission will discuss them. Know
4, Of hn | |
can say this much The labor prob
lem will be solved to the satisfaction
of the people of the United States and
the Islands irrespective of individuals.
1t is barely possible that Mr.. Baldwin's
report or any other report may be lald
aside unless they are in touch with
public sentiment; the opposition may
not want to, consider such statements
owing to the fact that Mr.. Baldwin and
the planters are directly and personally
interested, though ] do not for a mo-
ment believe that he would make
statement on this subject for personal
gain. There have been a number OF
anti-eXpansionist people here from the
Mainland, some of them sent here for
the purpose of investigating conditions
and reporting their observations. Sen
ator Pettigrew, a bright. capable man,
has visited the Islands and he has
stack of documents as high as your
desk. When the bill comes before the
Senate he will be primed with infor-
nation on the subject. Personally
have no doubt the bill will pass; pos
sibly it may be amended slightly, pos
sibly not. ] know that among some
of the Democrats the matter OF iran
chise has been given considerable
thought. There are some who oppose
property qualification, others who OPP
pose educational qualification for va
rious reasons, but when the time comes
they may let these items pass without
serious opposition. Personally, | LOOK
upon n limited property qualification
with certain favor, because 1t was IN
force during the monarchy when the
Hawaiians were believed to be salts
fed. / admit 1t is un-American In
principle and 1t may not be in the Dill
when it passes Congress.
so far as your election is concerned
| am sure 1t will be set for time when
it will be agreeable for all parties and
the time will be fixed in the bill. There
are a few matters connected with the
war that will first have the attention
of Congress early In the session, but
action on the Hawaiian bill will not
be long deferred Interest has not
waned among the Senators or among
the people in the United States and
whenever and wherever ] am willing
TO talk on the subject | find many in
terested listeners,
The people OF Hawaii need not be
concerned as To the form OF govern
ment they are 10 have, ! do not be-
Iieye colonial will be considered
aud | can speak almost authoritative
~ when ! say you VIII have territor-
ial form OF government, with possibly
certain notifications, The commits
si0ners have high regard for the
present government and personally ]
consider u the best on the face of the
earth, with territorial form YOU Will
have munlcipaliilos and suburban