The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1901-12-17
COULD FIND NO
CHINESE SLAVES

The Federal grand jury maze nnai
report to Judge Estee Saturday and was
discharged for the term After recitlns
the fact of its organization and service,
the report refers to the eighteen indict-
ments already returned, then says:
EVIDENCE AS TO SLAVERY LACK
INC
In the other cases brought before ~
we found no bills on account of the lack
of evidence which would warrant indict-
ment. With regard to lack of evidence
we refer especially to traffic in slaves.
Regarding the traffic in Chinese slaves,
your jury is disappointed in having to
report no Indictment. While we are
morally certain that the business is be-
ing carried on so carefully Is 1t done and
so unwilling the witnesses to testify. that
no direct discriminating evidence can be
adduced which would warrant your jury
in finding an indictment. The jury gave
much time and careful consideration TO
the examination and testimony of many
witnesses who would not or could not
give evidence which would guide your
jury to a placing of the crime of buying
or selling their fellow creatures on any
particular persons
CARE IN SEAMAN CASES.
| In the matter of the several sailor
eases brought before us your jury has
been most careful in the examination of
witnesses, and as n rule found that the
testimony of most of the sailors was any
thing hut reliable. In several cases the
| testimony was 50 flimsy that II could not
be believed for moment. We are of
opinion that the United States Commits
siOncr should use more diligence and dis
cretion in the examination of such cases
of cruelty on the high seas as would
Itn.n =, tot, l,;.
future as was done in the cases of Cap
tain Baker OF the American ship Emily
Reed. and Captain Wallace of the Amer
lean bark Sea King, who were acquitted
by this jury on the same evidence they
were held on before the United States
Commissioner We further find that In
the cases whore no indictment was found
the action Of the sailors was due to spite
against their superior officers.
LAW is INOPERATIVE.
| Complaints have been made that Fed
eral officers who have charge of the cree
tion of public buildings are permitting
| Asiatic aliens to perform skilled labor
on same. which, in our Judgment. is
wrong.
Referring directly to the Eight Hour
Labor Law We find the same practical
| ly imperative
/ ih'ifloit we would suggest tntt III lic
future all Federal work he givan out to
| tender from citizens of the United States
and all Asiatic aliens be debarred from
same as sub-contractors.
SEPARATE PRISON FOR UNITED
STATES.
As II result of the visit to Oahu Jail the
jury found six Federal prisoners serving
sentence and one prisoner being held on
commitment awaiting trial
The premises were found in a very
cleanly condition, although the quarters
are small and much overcrowded at
present The cells are very small and oc-
cupied by two prisoners each. Under the
present conditions the ventilation is poor.
but as good as could be expected under
the circumstances.
| The jury would strongly recommend
that separate Jail be provided for Unit
ed States prisoners. or that an addition
be built to the present Jail to accommo-
date such prisoners.
THE EDMUNDS ACT.
! Your jury has endeavored through the
Territorial officials to secure evidence
against violators of the Edmunds Act
other than in those cases examined but
mas peen unable so to do 1t Is the gem
trai pei!et that this act is being violated
IN this city possibly to the same extent
as IN larger cities in other territories on
the mainland, but that the evil sought to
DE cured must first be exposed by the
local authorities In their respective dis
tricts before definite action can be taken.
In conclusion the jury returns thanks
to United States Attorney Dunno and
Marshal Hendry. and asks that If possi-
BILE special remuneration be allowed Mr..
u. IL. Paris, who acted as secretary.
Judge Estee stated that If possible he
would comply with the latter request,
though he did not believe he was author
lied to do so under the law. He cordial
ly thanked the jury for its work. and
discharged the members