The Hawaiian gazette., 1905-07-04

This matter of labor and the allied
subject OF immigration is OF all the
most interesting TO our guest. And
while I have my own Views on irnmi- |
grafton and the policies which should
tend to solve our vexed labor questions
and develope to the utmost our agri-
cultural resources and produce a con-
dition of general prosperity for these
islands, / will not disturb your peace,
or impair your digestion by asking you
to discuss them with me. Suffice It to
say that the factors here, representing
our commercial and best interests are
for that which stands for the steady
progress of this country on American
lines. and for the maintenance of the
integrity. credit and prosperity OF these
islands.
1t has sometimes happened that off,
cial visits and Investigations into our
affairs have been too brief, reminding
me Of the story told by one of our
great men who said, that when In COL
lege his professor of rhetoric in reci-
tation said: "Sir, your time is three
minutes; your subject. the immortality
Of the soul"
category; today most of us visited what
/ believe to be one Of the most COM
plete immigrant stations of the United
States. 1t is an ornament to this city
and monument to the zeal and indus
try with which Mr. Sargent pursued his
investigations during his visit of two
years ago.
Gentlemen I propose the health of
Frank P. Sargent.
SARGENT'S DEFENSE.
| Mr.. Tenney next called upon Mr..
Sargent TO speak. Mr.. Sargent said he
was glad of the opportunity to meet
SO many of the men Of Hawaii who had
| made 1t what 1t was. 'I had the pleas
ure of visiting Hawaii two years ago."
he said, land met number of you who
are now present. 1 learned much about
Hawaii at that time and 1 think told
you some things at that time which
you did not know before.
Il think some of you at that time
were. unconsciously, violating the law.
l pointed out to you wherein you were
doing so, and on my return here l find
that you are no longer doing so and
are following the advice which 1 at
at that time gave you. which goes to
prove to my mind that you are good,
law-abiding citizens intending to do
what is right. recognize that you have
difficult problems here to solve. and
that you need assistance in solving
them.
You have been told of the dangers
| II 90 4
system arising through labor. 1 was,
for sixteen years what is known as a
labor agitator. For sixteen years 1t
was my business to voice the opinions,
the necessities of the laboring men OF
the United States, and to endeavor to
protect their interests and elevate them.
1t was my business to meet the presi-
dents and directors of the railroads of
the United States and endeavor to con-
vince them that they We're paying too
big dividends to the stockholders and
too little salaries to the men who en-
abled them to pay dividends. During
all this time it was my good fortune to
i convince those representing the control
of the railroads that all that labor
wanted was fair treatment and a fair
share In the profits of their labor.
When, at the instance of the Presi-
dent of the United States 1 changed
my employment, 1 did not change my
Friendship for, or advocacy of the rights
OF labor
Il tell, you that there are no more
earnest supporters of the constitution
of the United States and the Amer.
lean system Of government than Amer.
lean labor. You need not lie awake al
nights wondering what labor is goine
to do. You can be assured that when.
ever the call comes for a defense OF
the American constitution and the
American system that there will be nc
speedier or more enthusiastic reply to
such call than that which would come
from American labor. The American
laborer represents loyalty to the con.
stitution, conservatism and responsible
government.
There are members of Congress who
are more dangerous and irresponsible,
than are the American laborers.
Il say to you, recognizing your diff
culties and necessities, you need neve,
fear that the United States will no
recognize and help its own. But I sa,
| sAio ~ you, uO nOI lnlnK tnat Vol
are limited to one source to secure la
Dor. The whole world is open to YOU
While this is so, do not confine your
selves only to securing Asiatics. Tn,
United States government wants to Sc,
you prosperous; wants to see your hill,
ana valleys filled with laboring popu
lation, but 1t wants to see that popula
ton one which will develop into GOO
American citizens; one which will sta,
here, build homes, live in them an,
raise large families here. I say to yo,
that II you will make the effort, tina
you will make known to the worlc
what you have to offer, If you will Civ,
to the laborer abroad the knowledge O
what you have and the opportunity I,
locate here, he will come. You canno
DO better than to make your represen
tations in northern Italy, people VIII,
make good American citizens.
When was here two years ago
found the immigrants quarters o,
quarantine island which you all knoy
or. people sleeping on the ground a
nj erhN