The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1907-06-03


changed, and that with proper restric-
| lions limited numbers of Chinese labor
ers NAV he allowed to enter Hawaii and
some other parts of the United States
to the great advantage of the country.
Even in many places on the Paclnc
Coast the feeling against the Oriental
is changing. 1t is becoming more clear
Nv understood that many Of the evil
conditions found among the Chinese IN
California have resulted rather because
they have not been allowed fair OPP
portunity to develop along American
lines than because they are unable to
accept American ideals of living. Ii
America had in the first place given a
true welcome to these industrious toll
ers, who did so much to develop the
West and build her railroads.; if their
wives had been encouraged to come,
and their children by kindly treatment
and education had been trained. in
American ideals, the condition of the
Chinese in the West would be very
different from what it is today.
THE EXAMPLE OF HAWAII.
For fifty years the Chinese laborer
has come to these islands Of Hawaii.
Until the annexation they came at will.
and have been one of the largest factors
in producing and developing the wealth
of the islands. There has always been
a friendly feeling between the Hawai-
ians and the Chinese.
The Hawaiian Government at all
times treated them kindly and fairly,
extending to them the right of citizen
ship and all the privileges of polite So
ciety AS a rule, today, they are a
credit to the community. Although ex-
actly the same class of laborers that
are found in California, these in Ha-
wall have been permitted to develop
more along true American lines. And
they have proved that they can be-
come good American citizens. They
have here many bright and beautiful
American homes, with family lie
established in accord with true Amer
lean ideals Their children attend the
schools, making as fine a showing as
those of any other nationality. Their
boys enjoy baseball, football and field
sports. Their girls play tennis, and
They have their athletic CLUBS, debat-
ing and literary societies. They make
good voters, and take part in political
clubs and on campaign committees
They are found in all the banks and
make good clerks and assistants. They
are good taxpayers, are interested in
public improvements, and support hos
pital and religious work. Hawaii is
glad of the Chinese she has and would
like to have others come.
The following address, recently given
by a young Chinese of Hawaii, Mr..
Chin Choy. is a good illustration of the
ability and ideas of the Chinese Amer
lean citizen:
g The strength of land is in right
eousness.'
These words of Hawaiian king hold
true for Hawaii no less as a territory
than as a kingdom. Righteousness in
the home life and the public life in
this land we all want greatly. Since
this is so, the righteousness of Hawaii
is to be striven for by Hawaiian Chi
neSe.
"Glance with me this evening at the
condition of the Chinese in Hawaii, the
evils that threaten them, the good in
f1uences at work on them, and the duty
which confronts them to advance the
cause of righteousness.
I'm the year 1852 coolies landed in
Honolulu from the bark Thetis. They
had come to work on the plantations as
contract laborers.
I'm the census of 1900 there We're 21,-
746 foreign-born Chinese. More than
that, there were Hawaiian-born Chi
nese, citizens of the United States, to
the number of 1000. Since 1900, how
ever, perhaps 5000 Chinese have gone
to China. Now there are about 10000
Chinese.
There are about Is 900 taxpayers who
pay annually into the treasury of the
Territory about s115,000 One-fourth of
the total school tax is paid by the
Chinese
so far as taxes are concerned, Ha-
waiian Chinese have a right to be in
politics.
These Chinese. influential in numbers
and wealth, have learned both good and
bad habits from the Americans.
They send their children to school
and encourage them to acquire an
American education.
1.-The Chinese voters who wish to be
OF public service should take an inter-
est in the record of each legislator.
They should examine his record and
not regard his nationality. They should
work for the strength and integrity of
the police force. A strong feeling
among Chinese merchants against brib-
cry would do more to stop it than
strict laws could ever do.
Fortunately, many good influences
are at work on our people. First are
the splendid morals taught by our wise
men. Temperance and purity rank
high among Chinese virtues. Next are
the schools which have been started
for the benefit Of the lower classes.
The people who go to the mission
schools generally pay but small fees
and are supplied with good teachers.
For the Hawaiian Chinese have also
been started mission homes, where
people can learn the gospel OF our Sa-
Vior. These people are trying with
their best efforts to convert men to
what is good. There are some public
spirited Chinese men here, although
they take but little interas+ IN, r,,I,fso