The Independent. [volume] (Honolulu, H.I.) 1895-1905, 1901-11-04
A SERIOUS MATTER.
Father James of wailuku Makes
Strong Charges

Nohb Shbk BSS
The following letter published in
the Advertiser this morning, should
have the widest publication, and we
reprint it here. The letter is ffom
Father James Bsissel and reads al
follows:
"Catholic Mission, Wailuku, Maui,
October 20, 1901.
Editor Advertiser-Allow me
space to enter a protest against the
bigotry prevailing in the hospital of
the Paia plantation on Maui against
Roman Catholics. Here are the
facts:
"On Thursday, October "a. at
1880 9. M, occurred sad accident,
a tunnel caving in on four Portu.
guese laborers, killing one outright
and seriously injuring two others.
"Being at Waikiki, l received
telephone message at 1:2o p. M, to
go to the Paia hospital, where some
body in dying condition wished to
receive the last rites OF the church.
"At once l hurried TO catch the
train, which was aboutto leave for
! Paia. On the way over l learned
about the disaster which had hap.
pened in the morning. Arriving at
the hospital, l met DR.. McConkey
outside, at the foot of the veranda
stairs, engaged ia conversation.
Asking him il the victims Of the ac-
cident were alive yet, he responded
in the affirmative, and I hurried on
to see them. Now, at the door of
the said hospital, appears Mr.. D.
Lindsay, the manager OF Paia plan
tation, telling me that could not
go in, except with the permission OF
the doctor. Now, he saw me pass-
ing the doctor and talking to him,
but the doctor told me nothing to
prohibit me from entering. Bssides,
it was not at least $3.50 p. M, so that
the patients had received already
during several hours the cares of the
doctor, and he consequently could.
as stated. indulge in his conversa-
ton. .G g..
Everybody understands easily
that useless visitors should be kept
away from patient in such criti-
cal moment. But then I am the
minister of the Catholic religion,
which these dying men profess.
They claimed my services. was
sent for to Waikiki. Iran my legs
off to reach them. Every moment,
l said to myself, may be the las, one
for them on earth. And l am told
here to stay out =;
Turning around then, / asked
the doctor whether was permitted
to 20 in. He seemed surprised at
my question, and l was unable to
make out who was the captain and
who was the mate under the circum
q stances. Instead of answering me
the doctor went in to see about the
sick men. He comes out to tell me
to wait.
Now, declare this on outrage on
the liberty OF conscience, committed
against the poor wretches who lost
their health and perhaps their lives
10 the service Of the plantation.
Nobody can never be too weak to
receive At his bedside the spirit al
father he believes in. Even to the
prisoners in the penitentiaries, the
ministrations OF religion, when
claimed, are never refused.
snow 1t is true, that after short
while of my anxious waiting the
doctor told me to 60 in, but leo.
tured me with the useless remark,
that should avoid exciting them.
II the dying men had only known
that ! was there, but kept waiting
outside, then they would have been
very naturally in the greatest excite
ment. For the balance. the doctor
said that my ministration was per-
fectly welcome. Now allow me to
state to whomsoevsr wishes to know
aud is able to understand it, that