The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1906-01-03
GORHAM D. GILMAN
ON CHINESE LABOR
THAT sTAUNCH FRIEND HAWAII REPLIES
HERALD THAT HAS BEEN
EXPRESSED THE PART THE PLANTERS FOR A LIMITED
CHINESE PLANTATION LABOR

The Boston Herald of December 16
staunch friend of Hawaii, Gorham D..
Gilman:
To the Editor of The Herald:
In one of your issues in the latter
part of October you had an editorial
article on Chinese in Hawaii" in
which you made the following refer
ence: Mr.. Gorham D, Gilman of this
city, in describing the labor situation
in the Hawaiian Islands, urged the i'm
portance of permitting the Hawaiian
planters to engage the help which they
needed to carry on their business in
China" You referred also to the Jap
anese who had ben brought in, in large
numbers without restriction, and Mr..
Gilman's plea was for the planters to
be permitted by Congress to introduce
Chinese laborers instead of Japanese.
You refer to the fact that it is rath-
er a matter of pay in the choice be-
tween the Chinese and Japanese. The
trouble is not the matter of wages
(there is not much difference between
them), but it is in the character and
disposition of the laborers.
much the better man for plantation la
Dor. He is more docile, subservient to
healthful rules, quiet and mindful Of
business than the Japanese. 1t is very
largely on these accounts that efforts
are being made by the planters to Sc
cure Chinese laborers.
You also referred to the fact that the
sugar planters of Hawaii have espe-
cially favorable opportunities for the
acquisition of wealth. If I am not
greatly mistaken, quite a number of
the planters last year were obliged to
pass their dividends. There are but
comparatively few out of the entire
number who can be said to be making
large profits.
This has been brought about by very
extensive outlay Onto the millions) for
the very best appliances, skilled labor
and all that goes to the success of the
plantation.
Many of the planters had started with
limited means and on credit, and the
result has been that hard times" have
compelled them to economic to such a
degree that there have been compare
lively small profits.
Hawaii, as a territory of the United
! States, should receive as favorable con-
sideration from the national govern
ment as any other section of our coun-
try. No more loyal Americans can be
found throughout the country than the
American population living in hawaii.
They have proved their loyalty by their
acts. During the civil war Hawaii stood
second per capita in the amount con-
tributed to the United States sanitary
commission.
Some of her principal residents and
officials of the government resigned
their positions at the time and came
and offered their services, taking the
places of common soldiers in the ranks,
and remained until the war was over
when they went back again to the ISL
ands and resumed such positions as
were open to them. In the Spanish
war Governor Dole offered the ports
of the Hawaiian republic to the ships
| of the United States rather than pro-
claim neutrality. In their schools,
churches and other public works the
predominating spirit shown is that OF
America.
In regard to the introduction of Chi
nese labor, they are peculiarly situated.
| Other sections of our country in need
of foreign labor can procure it by the
short distance across the Atlantic. Ha-
wall, 1000 miles from San Francisco