Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1901-03-08
HOUSE MEMBERS ON
H|H|0'S MEASURE
Nearly All the Afternoon
Spent in Talk on
One Thing. ...'
ROBERTSON INTRODUCES
A SUBSTITUTE BILL
Kumalae Said His Pocket Book Had
Been Tapped Several
Bills Reported
Printed.

bill No. 81, relating to employing Ant
erican citizens on the public works
was the matter before the House.
Chairman Dickey OF the Committee
Of the Whole, read the amendment al
the reconvening of the session and
asked the pleasure of the House.
Monsarrat felt that, II the section
passed, 1t would work hardship on
country districts. He spoke particu-
larry Of the Kohala district, where not
ten American citizens could be mus
tered to do road work, and did nos
believe that such a bill should pass.
Kaniho thought 1t was good law.
with the amendments presented by
Robertson. but he had doubts about the
passage of the bill which provided for
only qualified voters. Monsarrat re-
| piled to Kaniho he did not believe that
Kaniho ever came to town where tho
natives are offered s1.OO day. and
even II $40 day was offered 1t would
be impossible to get American citizens
to make the road.
Prendergast moved to insert the
word Government" and strike out the
word Public" between the words "ot'
and Works" as 1t appeared in the
first line. Motion prevailed.
Makekau said that, according to
Prendergast's motion, persons EN-.
ployed on all government works, in.
Guiding heads OF departments and
clerks. would have to be American citi-
zens. He thought that that clause was
the Objectionable feature OF the bill.
Ewaliko offered an amendment, stat
ing that before man could vote he
must have resided here for year any
how. He suggested that the words
qualified voter" be stricken out.
Makanai insisted on having the
amendment adopted by striking Out
who are qualified voters"
Kekaula stated that the bill would
act against young men and women who
| are nut NottIS. ne Nds sdtisHtu tHt'
the measure was intended for road and
other government work, and was too
general in its wording. The only ques-
ton that could arise was: will public
improvements be carried on in n sue
cessful manner" He cited case of O
1 piece OF road work that he has a con,
tract for on Kauai, in the completion
of which. he could only secure the Ia
Dor OF three Hawaiians.
He said According to the message
presented by Governor Dole the Other
day, We must watch expenditures fol
we are and will be limited with means
to, carry out work. We must also dG
the best we can in so far as the ques-
ton Of labor is concerned. In some
respects, think the bill is good one. u
Keliikoa said it seem to him that
the bill was in the nature Of an at.
tempt to help qualified voters, giving
Americans a prestige. Some Of the
members had introduced several
amendments which, in HIS judgment
would leave an open door. Beckley
moved an amendment. He contended
that 1t was the duty Of every legislator
to see TO It that the government work
goes into the hands OF the citizens OF
the Territory OF Hawaii.
Hihio, as author OF House bill No.
p. made the statement that he did not
see anything in the measure that was
out OF the way. and that, according to
the laws here now, 1t is possible for
aliens to secure the work that natural
ly belongs to local people.
This Is our first opportunity to make
laws to protect American citizens aud
the people who possess the same skin
as have. He thought that the re.
sponsibility Of the work of passing
proper measures was laid upon their
shoulders The members of this House
are well aware that the bill is one OF
the planks in the platform Of the In
dependent Home Rule party.
Kumalae, the man of destiny
did not think 1t quite proper that we
should pay money out to people who
are not citizens, while people who are
taxpayers and citizens cannot get
work. At this stage of the proceed
ings, Duffy the plumber inspector In
days gone by, came in[for scoring by
Kumalae, as coming in the category
of aliens. He should have been pra-
vented from holding Office. The gen
tleman from Oahu admitted that Duffy
at one time had lead pipe cinch" on
his pocket book, fact, no doubt, that
was brought very wildly to his mind
while discussing House bill No. 81. He
was strongly in favor OF the adoption
of the bill with the Beckley amend,
ments.
Mahoe stated that he was campaign
speaker around the Islands for the In
depent Home Rule party but. sitting
quietly here in the House, he felt like
a child whose limbs were being cut tc
pieces. A good many amendments tc