Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1902-12-27
Senatorial Discussion OF
Burton's laval Amendment

Inc congressman RECORD gives IN
detail the discussion arising from the
introduction of Senator Burton's
amendment to the immigration bill
allowing Chinese to enter Hawaii The
chief features of the discussion follow:
MIR. Burton--I ask that the amend
ment be read and that 1t be considered
at this time.
The President pro tempore - The
amendment will be stated.
The Secretary-Add at the end OF
section the following additional p"o-
viso:
"And provided further, That moth
ing contained in this section shall be
understood as applying to the Terrific
ry Of Hawaii, but that whenever 1t can
be shown to the satisfaction of the
Secretary of Agriculture and of the
Secretary of the Treasury that the
number of agricultural laborers are In.
sufficient for the proper agricultural
development OF the Territory. then the
Secretary OF the Treasury shall AL.
thorize and allow the admission to the
said Territory of Hawaii number OF
Chinese laborers sufficient In his judg-
ment to supply the demands for such
labor under regulations to be issued
by him. and under the following condi-
lions, to wit: That the said Chinese
agricultural laborers shall be permit.
ted to enter the Territory of Hawaii
for the sole purpose of performing ag'
ricultural labor, and shall not be allow
cd to go from the said Territory of Ha.
wall to any other portion of the terri
tory of the United States: that the
persons or corporations in whose ser
vice said Chinese agricultural laborers
are engaged shall first give good and
sufficient bond to the satisfaction OF
the Secretary of the Treasury to de-
fray the necessary expenses of the said
Chinese laborer's deportation to China
| in case he deserts the labor for which
he was permitted to come to the said
Territory"
Mr.. Hoar--I think that should go
over.
| Mr.. Mitchell--Mr.P President, II seems
to me that the proposition involved In
the proposed amendment Is one that
ought not 10 be considered by the Sen
ate until 1t has been referred to the
appropriate committee and considered
by that committee. hope the honor
able Senator from Kansas who offered
the amendment will agree to that
course.
Mr. Burton--Mr. President, ! am not
solicitous about the present considera
ton of this amendment, provided II
can go over and be considered by the
question on the pending bill. | brought
IL up at this time because the bill was
about TO be reported. If the Chairman
Is willing that the bill shall go over 81
that the committee can consider TIL.
amendment and that Senators ma,
have an opportunity to study 1t, have
no objection at all, but | do think tina
1t is, germane to this bill.
will say that am very much In "a
vor of this proposed legislation. Die
not want to bring up this question he
fore the Senate until after our com
mittee-I mean the committee that IN
vestigated conditions in Hawail-ha'
reported but this is a matter that Il
easily, understood, and have decided
for myself, that II is the kind OF leg
fslation that ought to be enacted.
Hawaii today Is in state Of indus
trial and economic depression, Just tl'
opposite exactly from conditions tina
prevail In this country. and well-nigl
everybody there attributes II to tn,
fact that they can not get Chinese lc
Dor. | think It will be admitted b.
anyone who has carefully studied TIL
situation In Hawaii that the native Ha
waiian will not perform agriculture
labor. The white man will not per
form II there. They have attemp,e,
the importation of negroes. and that L
a failure. 1t must be performed by 81
Their Chinese or Japanese, and as be
tween the two everybody prefers Chi
nese. | think am safe In saying tina
that the merchants. the planters, tn
tiuhNSbNopi'I W. iihhuiiN'N''la - GU
the skilled la5ocers as well are all ii
favor of this prom Iscl legislation.
Mr. Bacon --Dll the Senator max
inquiry to know what WAS the desire o
the native Hawa,ians on the subject 0
the admission a. Chinese
Mr. Burton--Yes sir; they ?rc IN ia
vor of II. | woIld not say all, for tina
would take in everybody. but certaini,
a very large majority of them are II
favor Of II.
Mr. Hoar-Does this amenlmen
come by authority of the Commute
on Hawaii?
Mr. Burton-No, sir. The Senate
refers to the Committee on Pacific Isl
ands and Porto Rico?
Mr. Hoar-The standing COMMITTEE
which includes Hawaii in its jurlsdic
ton, Has that committee consderel
and recommended this amendment?
Mr. Burton-No. sir; 1t has not bee
considered hy the committee. II ha
been considered very carefully by IN
subcommittee which was sent to Ha