The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1902-10-31
LEpERS
OPPOSE
WILCOX

taupapa but 3i2 names, and according
TO those who have seen the list a ma
jority OF these are children. could be
secured to petition to the friends Of
inmates OF the leper settlement, asking
support for the Wilcox plan of making
Molokai the dumping ground for the
lepers of the United States.
Information came to the Republicans
yesterday that Ambrose Hutchinson
had prepared a resolution or petition
and had circulated it for signatures,
securing that number of names, and
then forwarded 1t to the Home Rule
party here. The petition is based on
the Wilcoxian promises of freedom and
the strictest medical attention.
The letters say in addition that the
speeches of Wilcox to the lepers were
of the most absurd character. He be
gan by telling those who did not want
to be freed to go away, as he wanted
to talk only to those who desire to get
away from Molokai. Among other
things. he said that the United States
government would set free at least
half of the inmates of the settlement,
and that then the lands would be sold
TO sugar plantation for $1O,OOO,OOO,
and as the lepers had made their
homes there for years, they would be
given the money and permitted to
seek homes elsewhere on the island
The committee of 32, which has
charge of the fight against the Wilcox
measure, has sent on its last resolu-
tion against the bill. 1t is long
statement Of the causes which have led
to the fight against the measure, and
is as follows:
A VOICE TO THE PUBLIC.
To our Friends. Relatives and the Pub
lie in General OF the Territory:
Hearken Unto These:
For few days past a petition has
been circulated amongst us lepers by
Ambrose X. Hutchinson and associates
for our signature. Bear in mind fellow
citizens, this man Kanoealii (Ambrose)
is the same man who made vile utter
ances at the time meeting was being
held at Beretania Hall for the consid-
Grafton of the leper question or Neper
BID of Delegate Wilcox and these ut
terances are II want to see all of you
my fellow unfortunates here ruled with
an iron hand" At the time of these
utterances he was on the verge of being
torn in pieces, but fortunate he was,
the guardians of the peace were there,
which If they had not been there the
Iepers would have enforced their rage.
This petition will be presented to you,
no doubt, quoting as result that you
are entirely in harmony with Wilcox's
Plea that we ought to be taken under
the Federal Government.
Through ignorance and misrepresen-
tation some of our unfortunates have
been made to sign and what seems most
absurd is the fact that kOkuas or help
ers are also being urged to sign in order
to increase the list; but these same
kokuas have not the least right to ex-
press any feeling pro or con as to what
is or what is not good for us Qepers).
The total number of lepers and kokuas
are a trine over 1000; therefore judge
for yourselves which of these two fig
ures are correct, the $50 who signed the
petition to the u. S. Commissioners or
the 800 and odd now sent you on this
bastard bill of Wilcox.
Bear in mind that on the first petit
ton the signers are all lepers; but the
subsequent one now sent you Is signed
by lepers as well as kokuas.
We therefore appeal to you, our
friends, relatives and benefactors, who
have yet some spark to love for us your
unfortunates here suffering all the
hardships and privations enforced on
us by law and love of fellow man. we
urge you all not to vote for Wilcox who
has a selfish heart. When he arrived
here he said, II want to turn you over
to the Federal Government so as to
save the 100000 that is now being Civ
Ell for your support, and maintenance;
and further that II that fact is accom-
plished why the United States will buy
Molokai outright for 100000 which
would benefit you all; (the community
at large) because Of that large amount
OF money"
1t is to you (Public) to judge and
think of this whether in it lies love or
selfishness man toward man. l say
No" You are all aware that we are
being constantly talked about and for
no other reason than greed of money;
fer the benefit Of the general public.
Are you then fellow beings so wrapt up
in the greed of money as to neglect
your duties toward us your fellow be-
ings separated from you for the pur-
pose of sanitation that Hawaii may be
benefited. We believe NO"
We cannot believe thai a day is APP
preaching when your love for us, your
unfortunates, VIII cease; never, never!
We therefore plead that II that day Is
to he nigh wherein you the public sees
fit To shun and neglect us, then II be-
comes our duty TO ask you that when
that day does come, you will take up
arms and kill us outright that we
may not see that day OF misery come
upon US; and further that We may not
pass over TO the malihini and be sup
ported by him
This IL our plea, our cry and prayer
10 you the public, that you use all law
full ways and means whereby that the
name Of Wilcox be erased from the
ballots Vote not for him who sold us