The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1904-09-30
a SUGGESTION TO CONGRESS.

ing The homicide itself will be dealt
: with under the American system and
n according to law. The event, however
supplies forcible lesson, which Con-
gress cannot afford to disregard.
When this territory was annexed, it
, was foreseen that plantation labor
would be the one serious issue, for
which special legislation. applica bic to
local conditions ard differentiating Ha-
wall from the mainland. would be es-
sential. The chief difficulty with which
the planters have had to contend IS
the procurement, in sufficient quanti-
Ities and under just regulations, of an
adequate supply of field labor. White
men will not do the drudgery Of the
| plantations Native Hawaiians are
equally unavailable. These facts are
/ universally conceded. They must be
wei known. to the labor unions in
large cities, specially interested in the
| increase of the demand for skilled
wage earners, which, in that DEPART
ment of industry, depends upon the
steady development of the production
of raw sugar It has been and it is,
therefore, greatly to the advantage of
labor combinations that the chief
nourishment of the Hawaiian Islands
should be encouraged and stimulated
by. Congressional action. The only
serious objection that mas ever been
suggested to the introduction of Chi
nese laborers, in adequate numbers,
has been the possible invasion of the
exclusion policy. which has become
virtually settled on the mainland. But
this objection has been demonstrative-
ly met by the unanswerable PROPOSE |
ton that, under the constitution, it is
within the power of Congress to legis- |
late specifically for this territory. I'M
der such limitations and regulations, |
as would supply the pressing needs of /
the planters, without any sacrifice |
of liberty, without any detriment to
citizenship and without the slightest
possible infraction of the Exclusion |
laws If it is right, as it undoubtedly |
is, for the United States to possess &
Hawaii, the Declaration of Independ-
ence does not require that it should be
treated as an Ishmaelite.
Congress, particularly in the lower
House, is very sensitive to popular in
duences. But, in the case of Porto
Rico and the Philippines, it has legis-
ated wisely and with reference to the
lctual situation in those localities.
Why should it do less in reference to
Hawaii, which is full territory and.
rom locality and from commercial ex-
,ansion, as important as either, and
of greater business conse-
Iuence? The answer is that a want
f detailed investigation of facts and
unreasonable and imaginary fears
ave induced an apparent Indifference
nd a profracted delay. both of which
re inconsistent with practical states
nanship-
The planters have been for years
ompelled to struggle against unin-
eligible obstacles, and one of the re-
ults has been the tragedy of Tues
ay night. It would be manifestly
MUST to charge the Porto Ricans. as
whole, with that sharp reminder of |
ur condition, for hundreds of that
ace who were imported are temper
tie, law-abiding and Industrious men,
low employed ON the plantations,
endering fair service and receiving
ust compensation. But, when Porto
sico was resorted to, it seemed as
hough the opportunity was used to
ransfer to Hawaii the worst criminals
N that island, and, ever since, this
erritory has been cursed by their
presence. This addition to our normal
criminal population, which is incon-
iderable, has taxed the ability and the
patience of our local police and of the
ourts
The Chinese are docile. industrious.
lmenable to law, and peculiarly
ldapted to that branch of agriculture,
n which the planters are engaged.
4
They also abide by their contracts,
nave little or no ambition for citizen
'hip, and are in every way well quail
led to supply a demand that is
steadily enlarging. The national in
erests, and the just aspirations of
skilled labor, would be promoted by
heir reception in sufficient numbers
md under legitimate and protective
The Japanese prefer their
OWN country to the United States, and ]
rapidly transfer themselves from the
zane fields to competition with Amer
can citizens in every branch of skill
ID labor. They are constituent parts
If progressive nation, unique among
Mongolians, whose destiny should be