The Hawaiian gazette., 1909-04-06
LEGISLATIVE TRIP To
THE LEPER settlement
MADE BY 100 PEOPLE

NNNNs WITCH CfHNNNf ANNANN ifEAN W
make the first Of n score of speeches,
some fifty or sixty Of the men of ka.
lawao had gathered before the meeting
room lanai on the Baldwin Home square
to present the list of their wants and
listen 10 what message the legislators
may have brought them.
A. j. Kauhaihao. n teacher in the
Baldwin Home school, was spokesman
for the people of Kalawao. presenting
to the legislators some of the wants
of the people as presented earlier in
petitions sent TO Honolulu. He explain
ed how some of the people found IL
hard TO get along on the one paiai
allowed and how in the settlement, as
is unfortunately elsewhere the case,
much of the meat that goes on the
butchers scales turns out to be bone
when it reaches the pot.
Several of the legislators answered.
Coelho introduced each speaker in turn,
taking advantage of the limelight each
time to say one word for the speaker
and n dozen for himself. Coelho 8
words and actions on these occasions
disgnsted the other members of the
Legislature, who were not in the least
backward about expressing their opin-
ion of the man who could attempt to
do politics on such an occasion.
The tenor of the speeches made to
the lepers was that each member of
the Legislature realized the need of
the people of the settlement and stood
ready to do whatever was possible to
alleviate the suffering they could see
on every hand. Those who spoke were
Representative Douthitt, Senator Smith,
| Senator Fairchild, Representative Ka-
mahu, Representative Like. Represen.
tatie Kaniho, Representative Kamano-
uu, Representative Kawewehi and Rep
resentative Carley. the latter stating
that he brought with him the aloha of
H. p. Baldwin to the people.
There was much interest taken in
the remarks of Senator Fairchild, the
impression having got abroad that he
was the man, if any, who would try
to cut down the settlement expense.
When he promised the people to do
what he could to save money in every
direction in order that their plain needs
might be looked after, there was a
thankful chorus of "pololeis. F."
Meeting at Kalaupapa.
The party returned to Kalaupapa IN
time for lunch at the home of Super
intendent Jack McVeigh, a splendid
luau being spread under canvas in his
yard. a feast that was marked by more
of Coelho IS drivel and long harangue
from Representative Kealawaa who in.
trodueed himself as the Father of the
House.
After lunch, largely attended meet
ing was held in front of the bandstand
and here about the same requests were
made as at Kalawao. After the public
presentation of wants, a score of little
explaining groups were formed, MEM
Der of the Legislature the nucleus of
each, and private grievances were
aired. There were much fewer of these
than usual.
Visit to Bishop Home.
The majority of the members visited
the Bishop Home for girls after this
meeting, and here the climax of the
piteous scenes was witnessed, score
of little girls, their attempts at finery
in honor of the visitors being in sad
contrast to their diseaseravaged faces,
singing and playing for their legisla-
tors. "We sing this merry lay and bid
you hearty welcome here this day.
We're the words of the chorus of one
of the English songs, words and music
that wrung the hearts of all who lis
tened. Some of the members of the
party broke down here and left, over
come with emotion.
] Many called to pay their respects to
Sister Marianne, as they had done at
the Baldwin Home to pay their respects
TO Brother Dutton. The Sister is very
feeble and was seen only by those
among the number who were old
friends.
Praise for offcials.
1 Throughout the day there were heard
many words of praise from the lepers
for the treatment given them by SUI
perintendent McVeigh and DR.. Good
hue, and one of the petitions most
earnestly pressed was for liberal pay
for these men. It is beyond question
that both Mr.. McVeigh and the resi-
dent physician have established them.
selves in the hearts of the people to
whom they minister.
Among the legislators there was a
great deal of talk of the ACCESSIBILITY
of introducing a resolution in the House
and Senate. asking Governor Frear to
Illuminate hCN eIBH ipt pfcoiucHt VI tuc
Board of Health, the idea being to have
him also remain as superintendent OF
the settlement.
Many improvements Noticed.
There have been many things done
for the improvement of the settlement
during the past two years. The newer
cottages are of design less shacklike
than the old ones, being ON the bunga-
low order, with a roomy lanai running
around three sides of the building, the
whole being daintily painted II is
noticeable, too. that these better houses
are surrounded by much better gardens
and are better kept up and looked
after than the old houses. The one is
the result of the other, according to
the superintendent, who states that the
inmates of the newer and prettier
houses take a much greater interest in
fixing up their homes than do those who
are forced to live in the less pretsn-
tious houses.
The new hospital at Kalaupapa is
in running order and is proving great
boon to the people, while the steam
poi house and the new laundry are also