The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1917-03-09
May Ask Legislature
To Admit More
Chinese To Islands

The proposal recently made to con
gress that $4,000 Chinese laborers be
admitted TO Hawaii to work on the
plantations appears to have met with a
much more favorable reception on the
part of influential members of congress
than had been expected here. In fact,
some of them have Indicated that they
believe that request to be reasonable
one and that they might be induced TO
support it. "'gE
Congressman Burnette, author of the
immigration Bill which passed the re-
cent congress, was vetoed by the Presi-
dent and was passed over. the veto,
wrote to Representatives Of the Chinese
societies in. Honolulu, urging that no
attempt be made 70 attach the question
of admitting Chinese to Hawaii TO the
immigration Bill and suggesting that it
be made the subject of separate bill,
which, he indicated, might meet with a
favorable reception by congress.
Congressman James l.. Siayden is the
author of another letter, written TO the
Chinese societies here, which is of sim
liar tenor. In the letter he said:
~ have been much interested in your
suggestion that our immigration laws
should be 30 amended that Chinese i'm
migrants may come 10 Hawaii.
"In this connection may say that
since / saw them in Honolulu, and
where, by the way, also came to un.
derstand the necessity for more labor to
develop the food possibilities of the
archipelago, have been inclined to the
opinion that definite, fixed, reasonable
number of Chinese labOrers might be
admitted to the Islands with great ad-
vantage to the Territory and without
detriment to the mainland.
"0f course, without more study of
! the question | cannot now commit my
self absolutely 20 your plan. There
may be conditions that Go not under
| stand. Z. -.
81 don't know how congress may
view your suggestion, but l do know
that members and senators will all want
to know how the people of the Terri
tory regard the suggestion of having
| twenty-five or thirty thousand more
| Cinnamon come in.
ST at occurs to me that petitions signed
by a majority of the citizens of HAWAII
would be conclusive evidence on that
point. Or, and perhaps as easily done
the question might be referred to the
male inhabitants of Hawaii who are
voters. An election on a given day on
that question only would not be a, diff
cult thing to do. -.
@"If u considerable majority Of these
J voters should decide for the admission
| Of Chinese to Hawaii ONLY, it would
have great influence with the American
congress. ~ u. 49,. .-.
"TOf course it would be wise to guard
'hH election jealously and carefully, SO
that enemies of your project could not
successfully challenge the verdict as al
honest expression of the will of the PEG
Pile of Hawaii. .t-r. .....-
"PersOnally was most favorably
impressed by the Chinese whom | met
| in Honolulu, and very much wish thai
some day ! may have the privilege OF
seeing them in their own country
Members of the legislature have beer
made acquainted with the contents OF
Congressman Slayden's letter. and ther'
10 under consideration the introduction
of a resolution petitioning congress Il
hermit the admission OF a limited mum
her of Chinese laborers TO Hawaii
whether or not such resolution vii
be introduced has not yet been decided