The Independent. [volume] (Honolulu, H.I.) 1895-1905, 1899-08-16
Haweiian Labor.

Hawaii Senator Perkins declares
that his act to prevent the importa-
tion OF coolies would have passed
the Senate except for an objection
interposed by Senator Morgan OF
Alabama Senator Perkins, there
fore, charges Morgan with the re-
sponsibility OF permitting the viola
tion OF every promise that was made
the American people by the annexa-
tion crowd 1t will be remembered
that every organ OF annexation in
sisted that under the joint resolu-
tion OF Congress, which effected the
union OF Haw ali to this country,
contract labor would be impossible
aud coolies could not enter the ISL
ands. The Call at that time poin ted
out the fallacy OF this statement
and predicted just what has hap
pened. Nearly 10000 coolies have
been imported under penal con-
tracts, and an energetic effort has
been made to get Italians and Por-
tuguese under the same form Of con-
tract. Between coolie contract la
Dor in Hawaii, as now existing un-
der our flag and Jurisdiction, and
slave labor in the South before the
Civil War, if there be any difference,
it is in favor OF the slave labor as
far as the condition of the Individual
is concerned
There has been talk in Honolulu
Of convening the Island Legislature
to repeal the penal clause in the
labor contract laws. 1t will be re-
membered that while annexation
was before Congress bill to effect
this repeal was introduced in the
Hawaiian Legislature, and the an
nexation agents from the islands
and the American newspapers they
had bribed gave the most solemn
assurances that the repeal should
be passed. Millions OF Americans
read this promise, and believe even
now that it was carried out, but it
was not, nor will it be until the peo-
pie Of this country force these man
ipulators to keep faith.
The statement by Senator Perkins
is OF first Importance because it fixes
responsibility for this condition Of
things. Senator Morgan tried in
vain to dictate foreign policy TO
Mr.. Cleveland, and, failing, turned
and fought the ADMINISTRATION OF
his own party with reckless disre-
gard for truth and for the decencies
OF official life that tarnished
throughout the world the reputa-
tion of public life in this republic.
He has wrought carelessly to i'm
pose his fantastic ideas OF foreign
policy upon President McKinley's
administration, and good Republic
ans have omitted any expression OF
pleasure at seeing the counsel OF
men like Senator Hoar and ex-Sena-
tor Edmunds rejected while Morgan
made himself mouthpiece OF an
administration OF which he is the
natural political enemy.
Morgan's party in the campaign
next year will attack the Republic
ans upon the very policy which he
tried to force upon Cleveland, and
tits we'll to bear in mind the origin
ofthat policy.
President Mckinley sent Morgan
as Commissioner to Honolulu to
make an examination Of the status
in the islands and report a code to
Congress for the government Of
that country. This work was sup
posed to be done, and at any rate
was paid for by the American tax
payers. 1t was expected by Ameri-
can employers that the employers
Of labor in the islands would be at
once forced to assume legal equality
with them. 1t was also expected by
American laborers that their wages
and their hours OF labor would not
be imperiled by coolie contract COM