The Hawaiian gazette., 1902-09-30

OPPOSE
CHANGE
The Residents Insist That
They Believe Present
System Is Best.

Leper residents OF Kalaupapa have
spoken to the Commission u United
states Senators, and there Is no possl-
bnity OF doubling their stand as against
the taking over of the Leper Settlement
by the United states. In petition
which will be filed by the commission
at once $50 of the patients at the Molo-
kai settlement have declared that they
will be better pleased II the control OF
the establishment rests in the local
government.
The petition for memorial to the COM
mission comes through w. O. smith
VINO appears as amicus curae for the
people. There was held on Thursday last
a mass meeting at Kalaupapa, which
was well attended and after the fact
that the expected visit Of the Senators
would not be had, was explained, there
were several rousing speeches bearing
on the effects of the leper bill of Dele
gate Wilcox, and it's effects upon the
people of the settlement II was stated
that the first effects Of such a manage
ment of the settlement az is contem-
plated in the federal control bill, would
be to make certain the division OF the
families, and that then there would be
such military control Of the settlement
as would insure the issuance to the
lepers Of a ration like that which now
comes to the soldier.
After some discussion a commit
tee Of fifteen was appointed for the pur-
pose OF distributing copies of and Sc
curing signatures to a petition or
1 81 Hsg.Na
SO successful was this committee
that the petition or memorial
which came up In the Lehua yes
day has on it the names OF near
ly 80 per cent OF all the inmates Of the
, settlement at the present time. The
committee forwarded the papers here
and they will be taken up by the Sena-
tors and given full consideration. Be
fore the papers were rendered they
were fully fumiGated and 1t Is even yet
probable that they will be copied and
the copies put into the testimony of Mr..
Smith. The memorial reads as follows,
there being an Hawaiian copy and a
translation in English as well, in the
same handwriting, while the signatures
show that they are originals and that
there was nothing like getting long
line of names in the same handwriting:
I'VE, the undersigned, residents OF the
Leper Settlement on Molokai, would re-
specially present the following memo
rial relative to our position and cir
cumstances, and would ask you to con-
slider the same ana present it to your
colleagues on your return to Washing
ton.
| First. We beg respectfully to repre-
/ l..
free will but at the instance and by the
power of governmental authority, as a
measure of sanitary precaution and
protection for the community at large,
and that our lot is a hard one by rea-
son of compulsory separation from
home and friends. The hardships of
our lot are however softened to a GER
tain degree by the freedom of our life
here under the present system of rules
and regulations. Therefore we most
earnestly deprecate and protest against
any legislation which would control our
liberties and subject us to further and
greater hardshps than we now have to
endure. And in particular we would
protest against any law being enacted
tending to the separation of the sexes
a measure which in our humble opinion
| "ouiu itau W StIlbuS
without any commensurate benefits.
| Second. We would respectfully rep
resent that we are not in favor OF
transferring the care and management
of the settlement to the Federal Gov
eminent, but heartily endorse the posi-
ton taken by the Hon. Secretary
Cooper, that the Territory is able tc
take care of us. 1t is true that there
are many minor details which might
tend to improve our conditions. but il
the main we are happy and contented
under the present regime, and earnest
hope that no change will be made a!
far as governmental control is con
cerned."
This meeting, following the next day
after the appearance of the speaker!
or the Republican party, indicates tina
the people at the settlement are united
in their belief that WilcoX's bill will
produce Ill results. The meeting of tn,
day before was attended by some 33
men, out of a total registration of 36l
The others declared that they woul,
not listen to the Republican arguments
The facts We're laid before the people
and before half the speakers had finish
ed there was cheering for Prince Kuhi,
and much enthusiasm.
OEnI1DI lrkAIC AnC