The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1902-05-10
WILCOX SAYS HAWAII HAS
BENEFITED BY ANNEXATION

"A y Eastern paper contains the fol-
| ~ lowing about Hawaii. which pur-
ports to have been written by Del
egate Wilcox:
Hawaii has now been n part OF the
United States for more than two years
SO that the experience OF the Islands
gives an opportunity To- Judge OF the
wisdom OF acquiring territory reason
ably near this country and having
some natural and trade relations with
Il. IL - now generally recognized In
Hawaii that IL has been OF great ad-
vantage for the Islands to become an
ueXed 10 the United States. At one
time there was an element strongly op-
posed TO annexation. but this element
has disappeared now that the benefits
OF being a part OF the American sys-
TEN have become 50 apparent. This
Is true among the native Hawailans as
we'll as among those OF foreign birth
who have settled there. Many OF the
opposition was due 20 a sentiment OF
loyalty TO the Queen and to the old
system which had been In force so long.
but now that this has passed and
better system has taken its place every
one - satisfied TO accept the new con-
ditions and To- secure the fun benefits
coming from them.
Since the American system went into
operation the Hawaiians have realized
how much more liberal their rights are
In the matter OF elections. Under the
old system there were many restric-
tiOns and conditions. and this was par
ticularly true in the election OF Sen
ators. who were called Mobiles. But
Under the American system the rights
~ election are much more liberal. and
the. Hawaiians feel that they have
part in carrying on the affairs OF the
Islands.
American laws are found to apply
with good results in Hawaii. and the
present need Is To have more of these
beneficial laws. At present the Ameri-
can laws apply 10 Hawaii when they
are not locally applicable. but this re-
striction prevents the extension OF
many beneficial laws to the Islands.
HAwAITS ADVANTAGES.
In one respect Hawaii enjoys a great 4
advantage. "a We have the benefits ~
the United States Constitution extend I
81 To- the Islands. In this we are much .
better on than Porto Rico and the
IN which. according 20 Fed
sraI decision. the Constitution has not I
the Has. But In the case OF
Hawaii. the organic law by which we
were made a territory 81 the United
States recited 'that the Constitution
shall have the saTue .orce and effect
within the said territory az elsewhere
In the United States" This gives US
not only the Consultation. but also al
- those important r.rhts and Euaran-
tees under the Constitution. We have
entire freedom - trade between the
Islands md the States. and this f. not
dependent upon any revenue laws. but
-rises from the fact that the Constitu-
ton extends over the Islands. We also
have the right ~ American citizen
'hip. which O. not possessed by Porto!
Iticl-s or the prori" % the Philip
lircs. even though thrv~ latter islands
belong 90 the United stnfes. Hawaii
.'sl hos q Delegate o. CONGRESS-. which
e ~ much advantage 90 our people IN
.nT~irs their needs tp ta brought to
De attention OF CONGRESS. u the chs"
2 Porto Rico thr-- ls q C1~Wissf1ne-
n rH0-rFeut che people tut ne tho
Porto Eir1u ace does rot give -re Com
r issl Hur- a seat 90 ere House of Rep
sentative. and The rfrh. ~ debate
here .s NOT the game advantage which