Hawaii Holomua, Volume II, Number 41, 5 Nowemapa 1894 — POOR PLANTERS. [ARTICLE]

POOR PLANTERS.

And now we are told by the organ of the promoters of the socalled Hawaiian Sugar Planters' association that the said association does not resemble a “trust” or a close corporation more than Dole does Cleveland politically or mentally. The association is in fact a benevolent institution for the sole benefit of the much abused and badly treated planters of Hawaii. The nine trustees who propose to handle an immense sum of money raised through a tax on the tonnage of the associated plantations, for the “protection of the planting interests of the members of this association” will virtually rule this country if a halt is not called in time. It may appear that the plan of tho proposed trust is simply to fight Claus Spreckels and when the planters’ contract with him expires, force them into a close corporation with unlimited power and with large amounts of coin at its disposition, a corporation in fact which bind themselves together under cast-iron terms un til the year of 1907. How the fight with Spreckels will come out is of small moment to us. He is generally able to take care of himself, and so far he has always got the best of our psalm-singing planters. But the government of this country, its legislature and judiciary will be nothing besides a tool in the hands of the nine trustees who will have full swing over hundred of thousands and who heretofore never shrank back from bribery, corruption and “subsidizing” in its worst form. If the people of Hawaii does not stop this pernicious scheme and if the political organization composed of workingmen and tradesmen allow this scheme to mature they surely deserve their fate which will be politically and financially annihilation. If the small stockholders tamely allow the controllers of the plantations to rob them annually of a sum of money which they need, and which is to be used according to the sweet will of the nine trustees, all we can say is that they deserve to be robbed. The promoters may place an innocent stamp on the association and label it a benevolent institution if they please. We ask those interested in this country and also the representatives of Claus Spreckels to read Article 14 of the agreement and see what they think about the “benevolent and charitable" features of that paragraph. It reads; All the members of this association hereby severally and specifically agree to bind themselves one unto the other, their several heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns that they will not and that their several heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns shall not contract, sell or dispose of the sugar to be produced by them or each of them or any part thereof save for consumption within the Hawaiian islands between January 1st 1898 and December 31st 1907 to any party or parties or in any way or manner other than as agreed upon by a two-thirds vote of this association, and they further bind themselves to make and conclude such contracts or obligations and deliver their sugars upon such terms and in such manner as shall be decided on by a two-thirds vote of this associaation.