Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1904-08-31
HAWAII AND ANNEXATION.

- ~ JoUtN IdN Uidut DNHilt SUM-"
ment In which he takes issue with
statements credited to Governor Car.
ter and DR.. Cooper that annexation
has not been a financial success for Ha.
wall. IL memory serves, IL was Carter
who was credited with the assertion
in Sacramento interview. Cooper's
representation was brief financial
showing of what the Federal Govern.
ment gives and what II has taken away.
Mr.. Jones draws attention to the
probability that the reciprocity treaty
between Hawaii and the United States
would have been abrogated had not
the annexation resolution stepped IN
to settle the status of Hawaii's polit
Teal and industrial relations for all
time. or at least as long as the United
States exists.
Speaking from remember-your.meT
vies-child text, Mr.. Jones then goes on
to point the inevitable bankruptcy He.
vail would have suffered II cut on
from the benefits OF reciprocity; he fix.
ures the money, millions OF dollars,
Hawaii has made through the advant.
ages Of free trade under annexation,
the bonds taken up by the Federal Gov.
eminent. the bonds we have hoated.
the million in cash We received for the
Ore claims.
Both Governor Carter and Mr.. Jones
are part right and part wrong in their
statement OF the situation. The fiat
assertion that annexation has not been
4 financial success for Hawaii covers
II multitude OF sins and naturally
enough former enemies OF annexation
rake up all the sins they can Ioad onto
the elastic phrase. II requires detailed
explanation TO show what is really
meant. From the purely governmental
standpoint Hawaii has lost money by
annexation. notwithstanding the In.
creased valuation OF property and high.
or returns from taxes. because IL has
lost avenues Of easy revenue through
the custom house These funds, which
previously went into the local treasury
we're easy money. People will pay a
hundred dollars In consequence OF
tariff without thinking OF II, but the
same amount In increased property ta2
raises howl to high heaven. The Fed
eral Government now gets the easy
money and Hawaii has to hustle In the
scrimmage before Congress TO get its
share back again in public works.
There Is the further consideration that
the transmission OF these tariff reve.
nues. owing to our isolated position
makes drain on the coin in the islands
and presents difficulties which the
banking men have thus far failed to
overcome.
On the other hand Mr.. Jones does
some very broad acquiring In making up
his totals on what Hawaii has gained
ON the sugar crops through annexation.
His figures apparently represent the
increased money Hawaii has handled
and do not take into account the rel.
alive status Of net income before and
after the fact. The cost of sugar pro.
ductiOn for instance has not remained
the same. according to the statements
Of many OF our sugar factors. Changed
conditions In labor supply have raised
withstanding the enormous amount Of
money received from the markets the
net revenue from this source has been |
reduced
These are all the result of changed |
conditions brought about by annexa. |
ton. The reimbursement Is what is
causing all the row. Some say we
would have been better of without an.
uexation. Carter. however, hasn't said |
II. though some have tried to inter !
pref his statements rs II he had. We
don't believe he has any such idea In |
Such a sentiment, II II exists locally,
comes more from former opponents Of
who like to remind the an
nexationists OF what u time they are
having in getting things Strengthened.
Jones has evidently taken Carriers
as furnishing food for the
enemy. when II Is more likely they
were made to arouse a more personal
Interest In Federal circles In what the
Territory needs from the home govern.
ment and which the home government
Is well aole to supply without playing
Iayorites or robbing any other section
81 the country OF Its just share in Fed.
.ral revenues.
What Hawaii wants is a better ad.
|ustment Of collections and disburse.
nents by the Federal Government IN
he Territory.
God knows what would have become
II Hawaii had not annexation estab-
ished stability In government. indus.
~ and finance. This. however. does
Iot prevent the Territory from making
vigorous presentation when there ~
anger af the Eaderal laRialaiara with