New-York tribune., 1900-02-12


tlon in the future will be from America and
Western Europe.
The persons who were citizens of the Repubhc
of Hawaii on August H. 1898 are defined in
Article IL of the Constitution of Hawaii as fol-
lows:
All persons born or naturaized in the Ha-
waian Islands and subject TO the jurisdiction OF
the republic are citizens thereof.
This includes all who subjects under the
monarchy. and all who became citizens of the
republic.
In 1892 at the last election under the mon
archy there were 14217 registered voters. but
Under the republic at the last election there
were only 2,693 registered voters. 1126 Ha-
waiians 400 Americans, 247 British the others
being Germans. Portuguese and Norwegians.
FULL FRANCHISE RECOMMENDED.
The bill proposes TO strike out the disqualified
tons made under the republic permanently to
disfranchise many of the inhabitants. and espe-
cally natives supporters Of the monarchy.
Biennial sessions of the Legislature are provided.
The number Of representatives is doubled to
make It a more popular body The total author
ized Indebtedness is limited to per cent Of the
assessed valuation of the property of the islands
The report says the amendment striking out all
property qualifications for electors of Senators
was made on account Of great opposition to that
provision. both by the committee and by other
Representatives II appears that such quail
foation had heretofore existed in Hawaii, and
this fact had been salutary; and 1t is hoped that
this amendment will not unavoidably affect
either the character of so important body as
the Senate Of Hawaii. or ever be the means of
vicious legislation.
The provision that the Governor of the Terri
tory Of Hawaii shall be citizen Of the Territory
was inserted for the reason that it was deemed
advisable that the Governor Of a Territory so
remote. and where conditions were so different
from those prevailing in the mainland, should
have greater familiarity with the needs of the
Territory he to govern than indefinite resi-
dence would assure
Section 13 provides for the continuing in force
OF the existing land laws OF Hawaii until Con-
gress shall otherwise provide but to meet OBJ
jections 10 the present land laws it is provided
that all land transactions shall receive the ap-
proval of the Secretary of the Interior who
might also reverse, modify, suspend annul
any of said transactions.
THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM
The report discusses the judicial system now
existing in Hawaii. concluding that it is wise
and safe to provide for the organization of the
Territorial courts of Hawaii by substantially
continuing them as now existing under the Re-
public OF Hawaii, and this has been done in the
present bill.
The amendment depriving the Legislature of
Hawaii OF power of impeaching the Chief JUS
tice and the Justices of the Supreme Court was
made on account of the change in the method
Of their appointment from the Governor of the
Territory TO the President OF the United States.
Provision is made for the administration of
the revenue and tariff laws OF the United States
when the present bill becomes a law. The ex-
tension OF the customs laws and regulations of
the United States to the islands, it is said. will
be Of great advantage to the United States, in
that it will increase the production of goods
imported from the United States into Hawaii as
against those of foreign nations and thus also
increase the amount Of duties which Will go
10 the United States. The effect upon the
products of Hawaii imported into the United
States is rninimiZed by the reciprocity treaty
which existed between Hawaii and the United
States admitting free into the United States
large part of the products of Hawaii
THE LEPER SETTLEMENT.
The amendment providing for striking out the
provision that the United States should share
ir the cost of the maintenance of the leper set
Element of the island of Molokai. the report says
was made at the earnest request of the repre-
sentatives of the Hawaiian Government. For
more than thirty years the Hawaiian Govern
ment has been dealing with the question Of
leprosy and attempting to eradicate the dis
ease. The system of segregation was adopted
and place selected on the island of Molokai,
where settlement was established. The efforts
nave been so far successful, and, with the ex-
ception Of the patients who now at the set
Element, the disease has almost entirely disap-
peared. At this settlement there still about
thousand patients, who with three hundred
n four hundred assistants and helpers. form a
unique community 1t is deemed by those who
are conVersant with the facts that it W%uld be
a great misfortune to have the settlement dis
turbed.
An attempt has been made heretofore to OBJ
tain the consent of the Hawaiian Government
TO receive certain lepers from the pesthouse in
San Francisco. There IS also like attempt
made by the authorities in Samoa. If the
United States should bear the expense or a
portion Of the expense, of maintaining these set
Elements il might lead to the sending of lepers
rom other parts OF the country to Molokai. The
annual expense of maintaining the Ieper settle
nent is $4,000.
REGISTRY OF VESSELS
The provisions granting American registry to
vessels carrying Hawaiian register whether
permanent or temporary. on August - 1898
together with certain particularly enumerated
vessels, were made to meet the cases of certain
vessels bought in good faith and with the in
tention Of Hawaiian registry They are few In
number and; in addition TO those particularly
mentioned, there five others which receive
the benefit Of the provisions of this section
The provision bv which the Chinese now IN
HAWAII may obtain certificates OF residence is
obviously to bring the Chinese in Hawaii under
the laws of the United States. The purpose Of
tnls section and the general purpose OF the bill
Wherever possible TO make said purpose effec-
tive, is that the annexation of the Hawaiian
Islands may benefit and not injure American
labor.
The annexation of the Hawaiian Islands In
she future viii be of great advantage to the
United States commercially as It already has
been.
The exports of the United States to the Ha-
November were 81, ,S45. 500; in 1898 s. S91 755.
in 1899, S10206 157 The imports for the same
periods from the Hawaiian Islands into the
United States were, in 1891 SIS lO4 242. in 1908