The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1903-01-13
A STRONG APPEAL MADE
AGAINST LEPER SCHEME
Territorial Republican Committee Urges the
Chairman of the National Committee to
Oppose a Measure Which the Party De.
eated Here.

presence OF strangers. the lepers would
shrink from sudden contact with hum
dreds OF other unfortunates whom they
had never seen or known, and who
could not even speak their own lam
guage.
Heretofore IL has been a source OF
pride to the government of these ISL
ands to furnish proper care, comforts
and medical attention for their unfor-
tunate fellow citizens. They have al
ways been regarded as a subject for
local control, and the pride and re-
sponsibility Of the people in perform
ing this duty oompels desire to
improve their health and eradicate the
disease.
While Hawaiians will always be glad
to secure assistance in the study and
care OF this disease (and it is our hope
to eventually clear these beautiful ISL
ands of all traces of the disease) we
are strongly opposed to the permanent
establishment of a lazaretto on Molo-
kai, which would make this Territory
forever known as THE Leper Colony of
America" Such a course would be
detrimental to every social and business
interest. 1t would injure the sale of our
products and prevent visits from
strangers, who would hesitate to in
clude a Leper Colony in their holiday
itinerary.
This entire question was fought out
in the recent political campaign in this
Territory. 1t was the main issue. The
| present Delegate to Congress, Robert
W. Wilcox, was defeated because he
had introduced a bill in the House of
Representatives embodying the same
! ideas as the United States Senate Com
mission. Prince Kuhio, the Republic
can candidate for Delegate, was elected
because he opposed the Wilcox idea and
because he promised to use his efforts
to maintain local control of our local
trouble. In this he was supported by
the Hawaiian voters and secured the
remarkable majority, over Wilcox. of
nearly 1000 votes out of a total Of II 1926
votes cast at the polls.
! 1t was unfortunate that the Senate
Commission was unable to personally
visit Molokai, to see what is done there
by our local Board Of Health, and to
learn the wishes Of the patients direct
ly from themselves at their own SAM
tarium.
Trusting that you will give the fore
going facts your earnest consideration
and aid us in preventing any injustice
or unkindness being done to our un'
fortunate fellow citizens In Hawaii,
! We have the honor to be, Sir,
Your obedient servants,
!, c. l.. CRABBE,
Chairman.
A. l.. G. ATKINSON,
n Secretary
At the meeting OF the executive COM
mittee yesterday afternoon the question
of a coffee bounty was brought up and
the committee decided to assist in every
way possible to secure legislation to
> this end.
There We're a number of recommended
tions made for appointments to road
, boards and Territorial offices.
The committee at work on the county
bill met last evening and completed
, the final reading of more than half of
|, the bill. The final reading will be held
this evening and the bill will then be
, rewritten and the report submitted to
, the Territorial Central committee by
next Saturday evening. A special
, meeting will probably be called for the