The Honolulu republican. [volume] (Honolulu, T.H.) 1900-1902, 1900-12-25
WEATHER YESTERDAY.
STOP SUCH METHODS.

That the Porto Ricans who came
here on the Rio came OF their own
yoiition seems apparent but that in
no wise lessons the Objectionable man
ner in which they were induced to
come here through deception and false
promises. If the entire party were
free and willing emigrants why was II
necessary to keep an armed guard
about their train during the two days
nj Sanderson. Texas, and at other
points en- route. And too why was il
necessary to put them aboard tug at
Port Costa, forty miles from San Fran
cisco. and take them to the Rio after
that vessel had left her wharf and
pulled into the stream
Grant for the sake OF argument that
it was because evil designing persons
enemies OF the sugar planters. IL you
will-would try TO induce them to de
sert. and that many. IL not all. would
desert that in itself is a sufficient in
dictment against the class Of laborers
brought here from Porto Rico.
The addition to Hawaii's population
OF these illiterate and degraded peo-
pie is a menace to the future of the
Territory. Hawaii wants thousands o,
settlers to come here and come as
quickly as possible, but with the mix
ed races already here what she needs
now is intelligent American laborers.
The Porto Ricans are as undesirable
class as could be scraped up any
where on the face OF the earth and yet
they are among the best from that
and Spanish blood they constitute
about the worst element of society
ever introduced to these Islands. and
God knows some pretty bad specimens
were introduced under the old contract
labor system. That these people were
deliberately deceived no man who has
looked into their coming mere and the
manner in which they were guarded
while en- route can for one moment
uoubt.
Even after their arrival in Honolulu
their importers seemed still afraid that
they might get away and they were
taken from the Rio directly to the
steamer Lehua, not being allowed to
even set foot upon one Of the wharfs
OF this city for fear that some one Of
the number, after breathing Gods pure
air away from the restra $ of the
steamship and of their ards and
keepers. Nigh, think they Vould like
10 remain here for a few rs.
The same haste was shov N taking
away TO other Islands the rlen brought
here on the steamer warrimoo. State
ments OF one of the three americans
in this latter party show hat they
were given every consider ton while
on the train, but as soon as they were
AT sea and could secure no redress
they were treated as though they Were
dogs. Complaints made to the man in
charge of the party were given no con-
sideration. That deceit was practiced
with these emigrants is also apparent
They were given to understand. IL not
told directly. that they were TO come
% Hawaii 10 work on the same island
Honolulu is on, A life Of almost ideal
.Nfa 80 b,,y
when they arrived the only glimpse
OF the city given was such as could
be obtained from the deck of ship
they too not being allowed TO even
step foot on wharf
While contract labor has been abol-
ished the statement of Grace shows
how easily this statute is svoided by
compelling the men 10 sign notes or
contracts for passage money which
practically bind them for three years
10 the plantation TO which they are
assigned.
The Republican recognizes as well
as anyone else that sugar is Sing in
are paramount to all others, but il also
realizes that the sugar industry can
be carried on honestly and without de-
ception and deceit as well as other
legitimate lines of business Ii rea-
lizes that additional labor for the plan.
tations is badly needed and it also re-
alixes and knows that this labor can be
secured in the United States by honest
methods and the payment OF living
wages for frst-class American labor
ers; intelligent and educated white
men. Conducting plantations upon the
absentee landlord plan OF making surfs
OF laborers viii hasten the ruin Of the
sugar industry OF Hawaii and every
other bnsinessin the Islands. Let us
be honest with our fellowmen and