The Hawaiian gazette., 1900-04-13

and in derogation of all the principles
of a free government. It's only justifica-
ton could be that Its endurance would
be brief.
"The old Legislature has expired;
there has been no election of a new
one. New courts Of United States juris-
diction have been established. This
method of governing Hawaii has prov
ed inadequate, expensive and cumber-
some. A large number of contract la
borers, numbering at least $4,000. have
been brought into the islands since the
adoption of the resolution of annexa-
ton. 1t Is time that this reproach up
on America should cease and that it's
territory should be free from the influx
Of labor 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 people, not
of another people. No question of gen.
eral policy to other insular possessions
| should have weight. Justice to Hawaii
cannot be done except when her own
| needs, her own capabilities and her own
rights are fully regarded.
mo fear of establishing a trouble
some precedent for the future should
deter in the discharge of this duty now
laid upon Congress. No apprehension
for a future claim to statehood should
have any consideration. We cannot
now bind the future In this regard No
constitutional question Is involved in
the present consideration of govern
ment for Hawaii. The spirit of the Dec
laration of Independence. as we'll as
that of the Constitution, goes with the
present measure for it Is with the con-
sent of the governed"
Knox was questioned about various
sections and provisions OF the bill. es-
necially as to whether the Asiatics in
Hawaii could enter the United States.
He replied that the Chinese and jap
anese in the islands went there for on
ly few years stay. Some OF them had
left their native land permanently,
and few of them would desire to con.
tinue their wanderings to the United
States, even IL they were allowed to
do so.
Robinson of Indiana devoted much
of his time to a denunciation of the
contract labor system in the Hawaiian
Islands, which he characterized as
practical slavery. and which. he said,
the tenth section OF the pending bill!
continued in force. 'It means" said
he. that you would cruelty labor on
the cross of landlordlsm and money in
Hawaii"
He charged the American Commits
sioners Senators Cullom and Morgan
and Representative Hitt with having
been seduced and bunkoed by Presi-
dent Dole and Judge Frear. the Ha-
waiian Commissioners. But 1t must
remain for Congress, he said, to deter
mine whether money was to be placed
above manhood and contract slave la
Dor above free labor. Robinson read
4 letter from the Commissioner OF In
migration. showing that about $4,000
Japanese had arrived in Hawaii under
contract since the islands were annex
I'D.
"The Republican party" said he, |
refused to pass law in the Fifty |
lfth Congress excluding contrac: la
Dor in the Hawaiian Islands; refused |
o engraft 1t in their resolutions in |
his House, and defeated the amend
nent in the Senate.
ITO these islands for years people |
laye gone like galley slave, scourged |
o his dungeon for not obeying the
erms of civil contract into which
hey we're induced to enter by the Gu
Iidity of navigation companies and to
he gain of plantation owners"
WASHINGTON. April 4.-Without
business today. the House
esumed the consideration OF the bill
o establish territorial government
n Hawaii. Mr.. Mcdowell, one III the
'rieinal opponents OF the annexation
" Hawaii, inyelghed against the labor
onditlons in the Islands and the In
Iuence OF corporations there, There
we're no other speeches.