Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1909-09-06
SEPTEMBER 6, 1903

the American mechanic. the Ameri-
can engineer, the American skilled
workman on the sugar plantations
of these islands.
When the japanese first came to
Hawaii 1t was in the capacity of
field laborer. We were told and
many honestly 'believcd that he
would always remain a field laborer,
and that the American, or citizen-la-
borer, as We think of him here,
would continue to hold the skilled
positions.
How well this prophecy was full
filled was demonstrated on Ka-
huku plantation. for instance,
when the Japanese employees of
that property went otu on strike
last May. The Japanese In the mill.
as well as the field. were called out.
The result was that the mill was
left running fun blast, and only a
kindly Providence, that has appar-
emily guarded the sugar industry of
these islands at critical periods,
prevented very destructive acct
dent. There was not enough citi-
zen labor on the whole plantation
to man Me mill--the center of skill
ed positions. This condition does
rot prevail on all the sugar planta-
tions, and 1t will not be allowed
again at Kahuku. but It shows to
what extent the alien laborer has
been kept In the field and away
from competition with the American
mechanic.
II that will happen in Hawaii's
protected sugar industry, is there
any reason to believe that the same
thing and more will not be repeated
in the American merchant marine OF
Hawaii when what little priP Election
the American mechanic now enjoys
Is withdrawn?
Suspension OF the present form OF
engineer and the skilled workman
OF the steamers will be put out OF
business, but the very steamers
themselves.
The ulletin has no particu-
lar quarrel with the Japanese whose
ships have taken the place of the
American on the Pacific, and will
take the place of more American
ships In these waters IL the present
form of protection Is removed and
no substitute given.
The Bulletins position Is
merely like that of Uncle Joe Can
non when he was criticised for fav-
oring too many of his intimate
friends in the matter Of appoint
ments. The Speaker of the House
quieted his cutics by saying, wall,
don't know how you do 1t in your
place, but out In our country when
We have Christmas tree We put
presents on for the family first"
The Blu lett n doesn't see why
such "A great and powerful country
as the United States, and such a
prosperous Territory as Hawaii
should voluntarily open the doors to
, allow the foreigner to run out the
American workmen Especially
should this not be when the princi-
pies espoused by the dominant par
. ~ of the Nation - and the particu-
, lar principle that makes Hawaii
, prosperous today - Is the princi-
pie for protection 49, primarily pro-
lection for the American working
man.
, The Bulletin knows that II
has the backing of the American
workingmen when II holds that this
Territory already has enough for
, eign competition In all the lines OF
, labor on land without extending II
to the deep blue sea.
The foreigner has had everything
his own way for a good many years
In this Territory, and the recent
strike on the sugar plantations wal
a demonstration of the inevitable re
, suit of putting at least one class o.
foreigners in control.
a Now, let's give the American an
inning just for a change, or at leas
, not hand over any more OF our bus
mess to the foreigners.
Build, work, legislate for al
American Hawaii for Territor,
where the American workman Il
more generally employed on sea ant
. land, and where constantly in
; creasing share of the profits of pros
=, perity go to Americans.