Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-01-20
HAWAII APPEALS
TO CONGRESS
Taxed a Million Dollars Annual
ly by the Government.
HAS RECEIVED NO RETURN
Asks Not for Charity, but for
Justice.
THE MONEY PAID IN CUSTOMS
It is Claimed That the Revenues De-
rived From Imports Should Be
Expended for the Islands.
THE MONEY PAID IN CUSTOMS

Special Correspondence of The Star
HONOLULU, January 9, 1906
/ desire in this letter to second with all
possible force the financial appeal now be-
ing made to Congress in behalf of Hawaii.
President Roosevelt has awakened to its
merits, and in his message has urged it
upon Congress. In their deep sense of it's
necessity, and in awakened hope of its sue
cess, the American citizens of Hawaii are
now sending to Washington a special COM
mfttee to aid in pushing the measure. AS
you have doubtless observed, the substance
of this proposition is TO expend for the ur-
gent necessities of Hawaii the large reve-
nue. hitherto exacted from these islands
through the custom house without making
to us any important return.
For over seven years the federal govern
ment has been taxing little Hawaii through
the custom house at the rate of over a mil
lion dollars a year, without making any
visible return. Here is a tax of $3.50 upon
every man, woman and child in Hawaii,
per annum, which has been quietly swal-
lowed by the national treasury, without
and corresponding expenditure for the ben
eft of Hawaii 1t is true that at the time
OF annexation the United States assumed
S1,0Q0,O0O of the public debt of Hawaii
But being at the same time deprived of the
customs revenue, cur main fiscal resource,
this new territory became at once necessi-
tateG to involve itself deeply in debt, de-
spite large increase in its direct taxation
The result is that we already owe a new
debt of over four millions and are compelled
to add to 1T at the rate of Sfo0,0OO year
In order to carry on the most Indispensable
improvements in roads, public buildings,
water works, etc. And all this is because
Uncle Sam unthinkingly puts into his own
pocket the revenue which is raised here and
which naturally belongs to us. We are
now asking not for national aid; we are
asking for what belongs to U.S.
Hawaii. in Grover Cleveland's terms lis
confronted not by a theory, but by a condi-
ton" We are square up against 1t. The
great American nation is cotnplacently
draining us of over a million year, and
we are growing lean and hungry in conse-
quence. Now we begin to clamor for this
drain to be stopped. Give Hawaii some
chance to live. Return this money you
drain from us in such a constant and CO.
picus stream, and let us eXpend it upon our
urgent necessities, instead of running our
selves SO fatally in debt. That money is
ours and not the nations. 1t is cruel
fraud to rob us of it.
Before annexation in 1898, Hawaii, al
though nominally Independent, was prac-
tically colony or dependency of the United
Sta ties, to which it was bound by the most
Intimate ties both commercial, political and
social These bonds were certain to be
superseded by political union upon the first
threat of war, as they were, Hawaii being
the great mid Pacific strategic point for
the defense of the Pacific coast. We most
heartily welcomed our reception into the
bosom of the glorious American republic
Nor has shadow of regret arisen. We
cannot doubt that whenever difficulties
arise and conditions need to be readjusted,
the right thing will be done, after needful
representations are made. Neither Pres
ident nor Congress intends to treat us with
any unfarness And we are bold to lift
up our voice and challenge this painfully
unfair condition which drains US of our
life blood.
or such figures as 1 have at hand which
appear to be thoroughly reliable for illus
trating this question, l tender the follow
ing 1 doubt not that very full and ex-
plicit financial statements will be presented
by the advocates of this measure. Since
annexation in 1898, our 155, 900 consumers
in Hawaii have paid into the federal treas
ury in customs revenue alone $6O59, III 81
half as much again as the total debt as
sumed by the United States at the time of
annexation. Over one million dollars is
drained out of this little country every year
to swell Uncle Sans treasury and starve
Hawaii.
Heavy Annual Burden.
Is there any area of 6,G4o square miles
on the mainland (aeout the size of Connect
cut and Rhode Island combined) which
with only $4,000 people could stand UP for
five years under such a. drain upon its re-
sources Hawaii has borne 1t only by heavy
borrowing. For local purposes alone every
person in Hawaii pays the tremendous tax
of $500. But in addition the federal gov
eminent taxes us for customs $50 head,
making total taxation of $23.10 per an
num- besides other forms of federal ex-
action. Compare this with the total taxes
paid in Porto Rico. amounting to only 50 %
per capita. and wholly expended for local
development. 1t is true that Hawaii Is an
American land of high civilization, while
Porto Rico fingers on the verge of barba-
risrn. But taxation passes the limit here,
| unless the taxes can be expended where
| they are raised. Besides, we do not like to
help support the wealthy mainland at the
| rate of over a million a year. Nor do we
believe that the American people desire lit
| tie Hawaii to do 1t.
We cannot pay too much credit to Gov.
Carter for having presented our claims in
| this matter so clearly and forcibly to Presi-
dent Roosevelt that he has Endorsed them
before Congress with his urgent recon-
mendation. 1t seems like q quite modest
and reasonable request on our part that
at least three-fourths of the federal reve-
nue. from Hawaii. say s750O00, may be ex-
| pended here for public purposes. Inclusive
OF public buildings and school houses such
a ha n v-1f Hc> ftxnx, xx.< l.~x.-
benefit. Hitherto for seven years not a
single federal building has been erected
here. and scarcely even a lighthouse, the
cost of such lights having been borne by
I he