New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-02-12
HAWAII TO BE A TERRITORY
COMMITTEES REPORT on THE BILL Be
FORE THE HOUSE.

Washington. Feb. Representative W. 8.
Knox, of Massachusetts. chairman OF the House
Committee Territories. has completed his re-
port upon the bill for the creation Of the terri
toral form of government in Hawaii. and II viii
be submitted to the House tomorrow. The
port is voIuminous document OF los pages.
going exhaustively into all the questions IN
volved and thoroughly covering, every phase OF
. the bill upon which the committee has agreed.
/ after many hearings and much investigation
Mr.. Knox says there is imperative need Of the
early enactment Of an act regarding Hawaii, as
it has become apparent that there is much doubt
regarding the extent Of the power granted 10 the
local Government of Hawaii by the provisions OF
the joint resolution of annexation. and in many
respects there is something like interregnun
in Hawaii
Many doubtful questions OF admiralty and
maritime jurisdiction have arisen, as well OF
criminal procedure, rendering it uncertain
whether there is now any tribunal for the de-
cision of important questions affecting property.
and any existing method by which criminals
may be indicted or juries empanelled for trials
There is also grave doubt concerning the power
of the Hawaiian Government TO grant fran
chises for industrial and commercial enterprises
or for railways which have been projected The
business affairs of the territory IN many
cases brought to Il standstiIL Americans have
bought Government lands since annexation. and
have built residences and planted crops. but
their land titles now in dispute and cannot
be settled until the passage OF this bill
Meanwhile no Americans can settle in Hawaii
on land he bought from the Government and
a desirable class Of citizens is thereby shut out
from this new territory. The local Government
is unable even to make public roads over any
part of the public domain of Hawaii. or TO carry
out plans based legislation prior to annexa-
tion for widening and strengthening the streets
Of Honolulu.
COST OF BUBONIC PLAGUE
The presence in the city of the bubonic plague
Is calling for drastic measures by the Hawaiian
authorities involving the expenditure OF hun
dreds of thousands of dollars. In order to pro
vide for these expenditures and to compensate
the owners of buildings which have been burned
in the effort to suppress the pestilence II IS
thought Just that a Territorial Legislature be
provided by Congress with no unnecessary delay
Since the adoption of the resolution Of annexa-
ton large numbers of Japanese contract laborers
have been brought into the islands. Their exact
number is uncertain, but is at least seventeen
thousand, and probably more than twenty-five
thousand; and delay in extending the laws Of the
United States to the islands will be taken ad-
vantage of to increase this number
The form OF government proposed by the oil
for the Hawaiian Islands is territorial-a Gov
ernor a Secretary both appointed by the Presi-
dent; a Treasurer an Attorney-General. a Com
missioner of Public Lands. Commissioner of
Agriculture and Forestry. a Superintendent Of
Public Works a Superintendent OF Public In
struction, an auditor and Deputy Auditor, a
Surveyor and High Sheriff. appointed by the
Governor.
The Legislature. 1T is provided, viii consist OF
a Senate and House of Representatives. elected
by the people. The Territory is to be repre-
sented by a Delegate in Congress. and IS TO be
made judicial district of the United States.
with a district court. while the judicial power
of the Territory is to be vested in a Supreme
Court and in superior courts to be established
by the Legislature. The Constitution and laws
of the United States locally applicable are
tended over the new Territory. and the laws OF
Hawaii not inconsistent with the Constitution
or the laws Of the United States continued
in force. The Territory is made a customs and
revenue district and becomes subject to the
tariff Jaws of the United States.
WORTHY TO BE A TERRITORY
Mr.. Knox says it needs argument to con-
vince the people that if it he possible to give TO
the Hawaiian Islands a government like that
of the United States Territories-a government
which has met the approval OF Congress and
the American people since the Constitution was
adopted. and has proved itself adapted to the
sirabe 10 do so.
The American idea of universal suffrage pre-
supposes that the body of citizens who are TO
exercise it in a free and independent manner
have, by inheritance or education, such knowi-
edge and appreciation of the responsibilities Of
free suffrage and of a full participation in the
sovereignty of the country 10 be able 10
maintain a republican government. BY this test
Mr.. Knox says, the Hawaiian people meet the
requirements for the government proposed.
The report discusses the population OF the
islands with a view of establishing this PROPOSE
ton OF the 1O9O92 inhabitants in 1896 31.O19
were Hawaiians, S,4S5 part Hawaiians. 3.0S6
Americans. 2,25O British 1882 Germans. 1O1
French 3TS NOrwegiaus. 1871 Portuguese. "a
4OI japanese. 21.616 Chinese and 1855 OF other
natiOnalties.
The report says there has doubtless been some
increase IN the population since 1896 from
American and European immigration. and
considerable increase from the Importation OF
japanese laborers since the passage Of the an
nexation resolution. so that the population OF
the Hawaiian Islands AT present may he placed
at more than 10000 OF this population the
greater portion are Asiastics Chinese and jap
anese. With the passage OF this bill the Chinese
will be excluded and the importation of Japanese
contract laborers prohibited. Neither the Chi
nese nor Japanese have political power, and were
not eligible to citizenship under the Republic OF
Hawaii nor could they obtain homestead rights
The Chinese have come to Hawaii intending to
return to their native land when possessed OF
what to them is a competence. The Japanese
largely have the same purpose.
HAWAIIANS A CAPABLE RACE
The Portuguese will furnish part OF the
cit Of