The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1907-05-28
CONGRESSIONAL VISITORS

10 he able 10 get more Intimate idc
Of what our conditions are; could Y
( about the city uf Honolulu and tho il
lHnd ~ Oahu and see more Of ~ ii
our homes, as we are among ourselves
. - The Territory - a very youn,
baby at present but it has grea
v Inheritance behind IL. More than three
quarters Of century ago a few mel
arrived 10 inculcatc Christianity. Thes,
men were Americans, and soon foun,
themselves confronted with the tasA
Of furnishing to a ieudal, barbaric PEG
, pie new ideas, not only in regard &c
religion but also in relation to govern
ment and education rs well. With
some opposition, mainly from settlers
of their own race, with some reactions
from the iIawaiians. the new departure
initiated 10y these men gathered force,
drawing into its sphere of influence
chiefs and people and men of high
character from the small American
colony located here, and representatives,
of all other religious denominations, un-
til it became the public sentiment Of
the Hawaiian Islands,-a moral force
in favor of justice, order, the institu-
tion of marriage, honest administration,
equality before tho law, and the SUI
premacy OF law.
| Annexation found us an establish
ed and civilized community. These
men were Americans. the business colo
| ny was made up mainly of Americans
and this public sentiment was imbued
with American sentiment for many
years. Under the monarchy the Fourth
| of July was second to no other as =
national holiday though never an off
cial one. This public sentiment ! speak
of became the paramount influence
here,-the strongest force, and though
assailed sometimes proved always
stronger than any opposition. This pub
lie sentiment the Territory has inner
tied from the Republic of Hawaii and
the monarchy. For this reason, among
others, it starts with good prospects
and like almost all babies somewhat
hungry for certain things necessary
for its growth.
"Among these are the refunding of
the customs revenues. There is a
strong sentiment in favor of it, and
there are some who, like Speaker Cam
non, doubt its policy as the assistance
we may expect from the United States
| might We llHiitcu 10 sucl TtNeHuts anu
after the period expires it might be
difficult to get further aid,
and also as making a trouble
some precedent. So the question ap-
pears to have two sides. We certainly
could use the money to advantage for
schoolhouses, courthouses and other
public buildings.
" Another want is harbor improve.
ments. The proposed Hilo breakwater
will, if constructed, change the indus
trial and productive situation on
the island of Hawaii. 1t will stimu-
late the building of new railroad
which will revolutionize conditions over
large part of the island, and give a
stimulus to the demand for farms.
| Protection to coffee is need which
if gratified will give certainty of profit
| to the cultivation of coffee and make
it an enterprise that will be most at
tractive to farming men. need not
pursue this subject as one of our
visitors will discuss the tariff in it's
relation to us.
"Many here feel the extension of
the coasting laws to Hawaii to be a
grievance, especially in regard to the
carriage of passengers. OF course the
| voyage between here and the mainland
is really not coasting at all, but that
| makes no difference, as the law in
cludes such voyages. Facility of travel
is an element of prosperity to com
munity, and it would seem to be a
mistake to hamper this community in
that regard for some supposed benefit
to the national shipping interests which
lamentably fail in furnishing such
transportation.
81 have not heard any reference
to the labor situation in the Territory
since our visitors arrived. 1t is a
pretty vital subject for us. Although
good many of us are not sugar plan
| tiers nor sugar agents nor sugar barons,
and entertain lively hope for the
near development of diversified indus
tries, yet we all recognize the fact that
sugar is so great part of our produc-
tion that the financial situation at the
present time is dependent on it. We
have to recognize the fact that much
of our extensive outlay for the intro
duction of labor has gone to enrich
California, and that more of it will
so result unless we give the laboring
man who may become n citizen chance
to acquire an interest in the soil,-i
other words, to share with him a part
of our inheritance.
1--WE want fortifications because we
want to be protected and because their
construction will bring money into the
country and because their defense will
bring men who will have to be fed and
clothed. We may trust the Federal
Government to look after this matter
as its interests are even greater than
ours.
"a bill was passed in the local legis-
lature the other day asking for a re-
vision OF the Organic Act. 1t is a
pretty good act and may not need re-
vision, but II few amendments would
not come amiss; for instance, among
others. measure adjusting the powers
and duties OF certain territorial ohi-
cials to meet the conditions created
by the Inauguration of county govern
ment. and legislation allowing amend
ment To our land laws, by our legis-
lature subject to the approval OF Com
gress, The reason for this is obvious;
such matters are local and locally un-
derstond. Congress would be at sea
In attempting 10 enact the details OF
our land mama ement ana the legisla-
ton would be safeguarded by the re-
lquirrment OF the approval of Congress.