Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-02-12

to be established by the legislature The
Constitution and laws of the United States
locally applicable are extended over the
new territory. and the laws Of Hawaii not
inconsistent with the Constitution or laws
of the United States are continued in force
The territory is made a customs and reve
nue. district, and becomes subject to the
tariff laws of the United States.
Chairman Knox says it needs argu-
ment to convince one that if it be pos
sible to give to the Hawaiian Islands
government like that of the United States
territores-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 needs
of free and progressive people-it IS de-
sirable to do so.
The American idea of universal suffrage
presupposes that the body of citizens who
are to exercise 1t in a free and independent
manner have, by inheritance or education,
such knowledge and appreciation of the
responsibilities Of free suffrage and of
full participation in the sovereignty of the
country as to be able to maintain a re-
publican government
Tried by this test, he says. the Hawaiian
people meet the requirements for the gov
eminent proposed.
The report discusses the population of the
islands with a view to establishing this
proposition. OF the 1920 Inhabitants in
1896, 81 ,Gl9 were Hawaiians, S.4S5 part Ha-
waiians, 3OS6 Americans, $3.50 British,
1,432 Germans. 101 French, 37s Norwe
gians, l5,191 Portuguese, 2i.407 japanese,
p. 616 Chinese and 1855 of other nationali-
ties.
Asintics Excluded.
The report says there has doubtless been
some increase in the population since 1896
from American and European immigration
and very considerable Increase from the
importation of japanese laborers since the
passage of the annexation resolution, which
may be taken at 10000, so that the popu-
lation of the Hawaiian Islands at present
may be placed at more than 10000. OF
this population the greater portion are
Asiatics, Chinese and Japanese. With the
passage of this bill the Chinese will be eX-
cluded and the Importation of japanese
contract laborers prohibited. Neither the
Chinese nor Japanese have political power
and were not eligible to citizenship under
the republic of Hawaii. nor could they OBJ
tain homestead rights. The Chinese have
native land when possessed of what to
them is competence. The Japanese large
ly have the same purpose. The Portuguese
will furnish a part of the citizenship of Ha-
wall. They are orderly, peaceable, intelli-
gent and Industrious.
The native Hawaiians will furnish also a
part of the citizenship. They are an indus
trious. peaceable and generous people, who
have shown steady advancement under the
influence of education and Chrdstianity
since the advent of the first missionaries
from New England in 1920. The free
school, free church, free press and man
hood suffrage have marked their progress
The government of the islands has shown
the same progressive development All the
younger HawaiiiIns speak, read and write
the English language. The older Hawai-
ians are educated in tie Hawaiian language
and a number of newspapers are published
in the Hawaiian language But perhaps
the chief consideration as to the fitness of
the Hawaiian people for a territorial gov
eminent Is that the dominant class in the
islands, both in politics and business, is
American. The government and policy of
Hawaii will be shaped in accordance with
American ideals. Associated with the
Americans in Hawaii are the English and
chief Hawaiian immigration in the future
will be from America and western Europe.
Citizens of the Republic.
The persons who were citizens of the re-
public of Hawaii August 12, 1895 are de-
fined in article II of the constitution of Ha-
wall.
Article II. All persons born or natural
lied in the Hawaiian Islands and subject
to the jurisdiction of the republic are citi-
Zens thereof"
This includes all who were subjects under
the monarchy and all who became citizens
of the republic.
In 1892 the last election under the mon
archy. there were 14,2l7 registered voters
but under the republic at the last election
there were but 1883 registered voters, l, 1876
Hawaiians. 400 Americans, 247 British, the
others German, Portuguese and Norwe-
gianS.
Property Qualification Abolished.
The bill proposes to strike out the dis
qualification made under the republic to
permanently dsfranchise many of the In
habitants. especially native supporters of
the monarchy. Biennial sessions of the
legislature are provided. The number of
representatives is doubled to make 1t
| more popular body. The total authorized
| Indebtedness is limited to per cent of the
assessed valuation Of the property of the
| islands.
| The report says the amendment striving
| out all property qualifications for electors
Of senators was made on account of great
! opposition made t. -this provision, both in
] the committee and by other representa-
1 tives> 1t appeared that such a ddH1ifca ton
| had heretofore existed in Hawaii, and this
| fact had been salutary; and It is hoped
| that this amendment will not unfayorably
| affect either the character Of so important
/ a body as the senate of Hawaii or ever be
| the means of vicious legislation.
The provision that the governor of the