The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1903-01-13
MATTERS IN HAWAII
NOT AS THEY
SHOULD BE
immortality in the Leper Set
tlement-Land Laws Con-
Quoted Contrary to the
System on the Mainland
Disagreement on Labor
Question.

senate committee on Porto Rico and
the Philippine islands met today to re-
ce1ve the report of the subcommittee
appointed at the close of the last ses-
sion of congress to investigate condl-
tons in the Hawaiian islands This
subcommittee consisted of Senators
Mitchell, of Oregon; Burton, of Kan
saS; Foster, of Washington; CockreH,
OF Missouri, and Blackburn, of Ken
lucky. The last two named did not
visit the islands. but Senator Black
burn Joined in the recommendations
which number twenty-six. The visit
TO the islands was made last Septem-
per and covered twenty five days, dur
ing which time forty three meetings
were held and 40 witnesses were in
terrogated.
The investigation was general and
covered all questions with which the
government could be concerned, in
Guiding the laws, local and federal and
their execution, the public lands, labor,
the plantations, the harbors, taxation,
the leprosy settlement. Queen Liliuo-
kaIanIS claims, and other subjects
The condition of affairs in the lepeI
settlement on the island OF Molokai
excited the liveliest interest.
The committee made q quite
thorough inquiry concerning this set
tlement, which is under territorial con-
troll, with the result that it recon-
mends that the management of the
colony be transferred to the marine
hospital service with headquarters in
Washington and that a general lep-
rosario or retreat for all the lepers of
the United States be established on
that island.
Leprosy and immortality.
At the time of the visit Of the com
mlttee there were S58 leprous patients
in the settlement. The opinion is ex-
pressed that there are many hundreds
of other cases of leprosy in the terri
tory. In the past year in the Moloka1
settlement there were 144 deaths ana
Is births in the colony. eight of the
children born being illeg1timate. The
report says:
Your committee has been somewhat
surprised to find that under the ex-
listing management of the Ieper set
tement, indiScriminate legitimate and
tllegitimate cohabitation is permitted.
Marriages are suffered to be celebrated
between leprous men and women, re-
CARELESS Of their physical condition.
Children are born In the settlement or
leprOus union and as a, result of con-
cubinage, and, strange as it may ap-
pear, the leading officials seem to re-
gard all this not only as permissible,
but protest vigorously against a sys-
it,
As TO Labor.
In connection with its discussion of
the labor question, the committee
takes up the effort on the part of the
business men of the islands to secure
the removal Of some Of the restric-
lions on Chinese immigration. This
desire is conceded to be very general,
but Senators Mitchell and Foster rep
resenting q majority Of the subcom-
mittee, take very positive ground in
opposition. They say that the condi-
lions are not different in the islands
and make the usual argument against
Chinese admission. They contend,
also, that the Chinese do much to in
troduce and maintain bubonic plague
and other contagious diseases.
Senator Burton takes the opposite
view.
Land System Wrong.
Much space is devoted to discussion
of the administration Of the public
lands Of the territory and the COM
n1ittee finds that the policy followed
in Hawaii in regard to those lands is
directly opposed to the policy followed
in the United States. It is remarked
that whereas the policy on the main
land is to preserve the lands for homes
for the people, the policy now being
enforced in Hawaii seems to be to
utilize the public domain solely for
the purpose Of revenue, and conse-
quently but very little Of the public
lands are being sold, but large tracts
are placed under long leases, a policy
which, in the judgment of your COM
mfttee, should not be continued under
any circumstances for any length of
time"
In addition to the recommendation
that the leasing system be abolished
the committee suggests that the con-
troll OF the lands be taken at once from
the territorial government and be vest
ed in the interior department at Wash
ington. The appointment of a sur
Yeyor general for and the creation of
two land departments in the territory
are recommended, and 1t is suggested
that the secretary Of the interior
should be empowered to make a thor
ough investigation of conditions per-
tanning to the administration of the
lands.
Government Away Off.
The centralized character of the
present government is commented on at
length and very sharply criticised 1t is
declared there is very slight difference
IN this respect from the monarchical
form of government preceding annexa-
ton. The situation, the committee
thinks, is due to oversight on the part
of congressman and to conditions exist
ing in the islands at the time Of their
acquisition, but it thinks 1t should rot
be permitted to continue. 1t expresses
the opinion that if the people are not
granted the privilege Of participating
IN the government they in time may re-
volt
Among other institutions of the gov
ATnTnonf nf tho iclon6c nF x1-hio Jon
committee disapproves is the govern
or'S advisory council, which, it SAYS, is
without authority of law. All ques-
tons, even those pertaining to slight
improvements in distant islands, are
passed on by this council The COM
mittee considers this an evil to be rem
ed1ed by the creation of local municipal
government throughout the territory.
The Declarations.
Referring to recent defalcations on
the part of officials in the islands, the
committee sayS:
There has recently been a perfect
saturnalia of defalcations involving the
administration of Gov. Dole in a cloud
and enshrouding his name in maze of
embarrassment"
The committee criticises sharply the
present system which requires no
bonds from persons engaged in
f1duciary positions.
The committee finds that Queen Lii
iuokalani had no personal interest in
the crown lands which have been
claimed for her, but only an official in
terest during her reign. Such interest
would have entitled her to the rental OF
the lands, and the committee recon-
mends that the senate consider the
just claims of this now loyal subject of
the federal government. The committee
recommends the disallowance of the
claims made by other members Of the
royal family.
The committee finds much reason for