The San Francisco call., 1899-04-30
LABOR IN HAWAII.

DEADERS of The Call have not forgotten our
~ ample notice OF what would follow anneXa-
i ton OF Hawaii in regard to the labor situation.
The country proved passive in the matter and an
nexaton was accomplished, with the assurance that
the language OF the Joint resolution which effected it
amply covered the cooie contract labor issue with
complete prohibition
Since annexation there is no change in the govern
OF the islands The Dole constitution is in force
there as the fundamental law and it is administered
by the Dole government precisely before. The last
Congress neglected to pass any law fixing form Of
government, and there is no civil relation between
Hawaii and this Government except through the
executive and he is free to independently of any
constitutional restriction.
Ever since annexation stream of Asiatc coolie
laborers has been pouring into the islands under
tract and penal restriction just as they were before
the country became part OF our domain.
The latest news is that President Dole has been
notified from Washington that the annexation reso-
luton does not affect the Hawaiian labor system
which remains in force and effect until Congress
.chooses to change it This is just what The Call said
would follow annexation and just6es to the letter
analysis OF the annexation resolution. Those who
denied our conclusion are invited to study the out
come and be wise.
Weare not just discussing the effect upon white
labor and wages at home of penal contract cooe la
Dor and wages in the islands, with the most OF its
product admitted free of duty to our domestic markets
in competition with the same product raised here by
white labor. The future must develop the effect upon
labor and its employers here Thousands OF coolies
have entered Hawaii under contract since annexa-
ton, and thousands more will follow before Congress
passes any restrictive measure it. indeed it will
s;der such action necessary at all What is OF espe-
IL
OF the same old ambush behind which the designs OF
Dole were hidden before annexation. This now takes
the form OF a declaration that the proprietors on the
islands have policy for the future which means "a
gradual reduction OF contract Asiatc labor and cor
responding introduction of free American labor into
the fields. The delay in the application of
American laws will enable the planters to adopt
American labor rules by degrees. Colonel Whytes
project OF bringing in American labor will receive
early attention. There probably will be a company
known the American labor supply company,
backed by the plantations agencies
1t will be seen that the old lure is set and the old
trap is baited When Congress meets the argument
viii be plausbly made that the application OF our
labor laws should be delayed give tie gradual as
simation a chance and Colonel Whytes company
will play its part in the scheme
Meantime more coolies than ever are in the islands
supply on hand to last for term OF years Con-
gress will be we'll obbied the matter and the pres
ent situation will continue indefinitely
White men from this country cannot labor in the
cane fields OF Hawaii. Cane sugar is not raised any
where in the tropics by white labor Beet sugar the
sugar OF the temperate is raised everywhere by
white labor The issue is between free and servile
labor, and Hawaii has so far won against free white
labor and the American wage scale
The same flag floats over California and Hawaii.
Caornians have paid their share of Doe's debts out
OF the United States treasury. The Hawaiian sugar
planter is permitted have all the Asatic coole labor
he wants, at 50 day held involuntary serv-
tude under penal contract. The California sugar
planter is forbidden by law to employ contract labor
and pays three times much wages as the Hawaiian
planter The issue IS with our people How long
will they maintain themselves under such system
Of unequal government?