The Independent. [volume] (Honolulu, H.I.) 1895-1905, 1900-04-12
Contract Labor Must Go

committee OF the whole to conslder
the Hawaiian civil government BILL
The debate is to last until Thursday
on which day at o'clock the vote is
to be taken. Knox OF Massachu-
sets, chairman OF the COMMITTEES on
territories, who is in charge OF the
measure made the opening speech
in support OF it.
Knox said: "The Hawaiian isl
auds are the Gibraltar OF the Pacific
in peace, the paradise of the Pacific
ever Hawaii is now American ter
ritory, by the solemn agreement of
two independent nations. But while
Hawaii is U. S. territory, it does not
possess U. S. government the one
provided by the annexation resolu
ton was but temporary, intended to
last until Congress should establish
a government. There was entire
absence OF representation govern
ment entirely un-Americau, and in
derogation OF all the principles OF a
free government. Its only justitica-
tion could be that its endurance
would be brief.
"The old Legislature has expired;
there has been no election of new
one. New courts of United States
jurisdiction have been established.
This method of governing Hawaii
has proved inadequate, expensive
and cumbersome. A large number
of contract laborers, numbering at
least $4,000 have been brought into
the islands since the adoption OF the
resolution of annexation. 1t is time
that this reproach upon America
should cease and that its territory
should be free from the influx OF la.
Dor long since denied by the laws OF
the United States.
"The duty is immediate and plain
to provide for this new territory of
the United States law framed to
meet the needs OF the Hawaiian PEG.
pie, not Of another people. No ques-
ton Of general policy to other in
sular possessions should have weight.
Justice to Hawaii cannot be done
except when her own needs, her own
and her own rights are
fully regarded.
"No fear OF establishing trouble
some precedent for the future should |
deter in the discharge OF this duty
now laid upon Congress. No appre-
hension for a future claim 10 state.
hood should have any consideration.
We cannot now bind the future in
this regard. No constitutional ques.
ton is involved in the present con.
alteration of government for Ha.
waii. The spirit of the Declaration OF
Independence, as we'll as tina. OF the
Constitution, goes with the present !
for it is with the consent of
the governed"
Knox was questioned about vari-
Gus sections and provisions of the
bill, especially as to whether the
in Hawaii could enter the
United States. He replied that the
Chinese and japanese in the islands
went there for only a few years stay.
Some OF them had left their native
and permanently, and few OF them
would desire to continue their wan
1erings to the United States, even il
hey were allowed to do so.
Robinson of Indiana devoted
much Of his time to a denunciation
If the contract labor system in the
Hawaiian islands, which he char.
'cterized as practical slavery: and
which he said, the tenth section OF
he pending bill continued in force.
1t MEANS" said he. shat you would
rucify labor on the cross OF land.
ordism and money in Hawaii"
He charged the American Com.
nissioners (Senators Cullom and
iorgan and Representative HitD
7ith having been seduced aud bun.
,oed by President Dole and Judge
rear. the Hawaiian Commissioners.
'ut it must remain for Congress, he