The Honolulu republican. [volume] (Honolulu, T.H.) 1900-1902, 1901-09-07
aoNoLULU. H. T.. SEPT. 7, 1901
REVIVE THE NIGHT SCHOOLS.

The Republican believes that in TAX
ing the stand he has in reference to
night schools. Superintendent Akin
con has made a serious mistake and
one that the School Board viii pro-
coed 10 rectify when its error Is
pointed out. The Chinese and Japan
ese brought 10 these Islands we're
brought here under labor contracts
Ono OF the inducements held out TO
those bringing their families was
that Hawaii had a system OF free pub
lie schools open 10 all Inhabitants,
without regard to race. color or pre-
viors condition OF servitude. Owing
10 their industry and frugality many
OF the Chinese and Japanese have
found II TO their interest, TO attend
the night schools. They want TO Sc
cure an education. but at the same
time they do not feel that they can
stop all work while securing the edu-
cation. Consequently they took ad-
vantage OF the night schools. To
then close the night schools merely
because. the Hawaiians did not at
tend them is a wrong upon both the
Chiness end Japanese.
Hawaii cannot afford to have an ig-
norant race OF ignorant people grow
ing I'D in the Territory. The great
ness OF the United States today is
due more TO her public school system
than 10 any other cause. The ABSORB
ton into the body polite of the mil
lions OF foreigners who have come to
America In the last half century is
due TO the public schools and to the
fact that every child has been educat-
ed in the English language. America
Is essentially one country with one
language and one flag Australian
gary as an empire is on the verge OF
collapse today because Of her diver
sified tongues and lack OF universal
education. Had all the states of the
Austrian Empire had a public school
system and in which only one Ian
guage had been taught the last forty
years. that country would be as hap
PLY consolidated today as is the Unit
ed States.
Ignorance is the cause OF nearly all
the petty cases appearing in the
police courts. Ignorance in Hawaii.
whether it be on the part of the Asia.
tics or the part Of any Of the other
races. would in very few years prove
most serious menace.
But aside from ethical reasons
against the non-education OF any por-
ton Of the people there are reasons
of justice and right which denounce
the position Of the Superintendent OF
Schools. AS shown by figures on an.
other page the Japanese and Chinese
pay nearly three and one-half times
as much school tax as do all the other
races The Japanese and Chinese
paid in school taxes for the year 1895.
sS5.02e. while the Hawaiians who
failed to take advantage OF the night
schools. paid but $4,000 in school
taxes, In other words the Asiatics
paid seven times as much into the
Territorial Treasury for school taxes
rs the Hawaiians. Shall we then say
that these people who contributed
$4,000 in school taxes for the sup
port Of the schools OF this Territory
shah be deprived OF two night schools
In this city at total cost of $50 per
month Cor nine months in the year,
Shall we let 1t be known to the world
that Hawaii has taken the depraved
and debased stand that she viii i'm
pose a heavy tax upon Asiatios for
support OF the schools and then de
priye them OF the benefit of the
sehoolsg
Such a position Is wrong in every
light it may be considered. It would
not only be folly to continue IL but il
would be criminal.
AN fNTOl eRAat noNopof ~