Saturday press. [volume] (Honolulu, H.I.) 1880-1885, 1882-11-18
ADMINISTRATIONS or HEAL7X
lkiIIERS.

HiIIERS.
a wise commander Immediately before an
action spares no pains to strengthen OF securely
guard the weakest portions OF his defcnscs
But If, instead, an amount of nimsy material
be used rs a mask, flaws will still exist in the
works, which is equivalent to a lessening OF the
general strength, for, really, the whole cannot
be stronger than its weakest part when all are
in a greater or less degree dependent upon each
other. This is. the bluff game that Walter
Murray Gibson, Minister of Foreign Affairs,
has been trying for some time past to play upon
the public. a day Of reckoning is approach
ing when he will reap the reward Of his mis-
deeds. This he well knows, and has, by us
sing the columns of the Pacifc Commercial
.IaseytiSfy, whose editorial utteranceS are his
own, directly or indirectly, endeavored to add
to the strength of the tottering political struc
ture he has buided, and which momentarily
threatens to tumble about his ears. OF this
fragile ediice, his administration of affairs
connected with the Board of Health, is the
most unstable. Although his organ has day
after day and week after week expatiated upon
the important sanitary measures and reforms
instituted and encouraged by the Good Pre-
mier," the fact still remains that the affairs Of
this department were never more slovenly and
negligenty conducted than now, notwithstand
ing that the son-in.law is paid ST. 500 year to
act as secretary OF the board. The organ
made great noise when the Board Of Health,
at the instance OF its president, who is none
other than Mr.. Gibson, bought the wreck of the
Niagara to destroy its offensive cargo, work
which would have been as well done by the
party who first purchased the wreck. We do
not know that any steps are being taken to get
back the money spent on this little effort TO
make miniature wave of popularity in favor Of
the premier. The people, no doubt, are more
than happy to have their money devoted to
such base purposes as long as it can add any
thing to the happiness of the acting Board of
Health, which is its president.
Affairs on the other islands, in connection
with this department, are conducted in the
most disgraceful manner. One physician, who
came here from San Francisco highly recon-
mended, and who has given general satisiac-
ton in the district to which he was appointed,
has announced his intention Of resigning on ac-
count Of the criminal negligence of the board
in failing 10 supply the necessaries for the
work, and for neglecting to pay for services
rendered. Another physician on the same is.
land, who has been in the employ Of the board
for several years, has resigned. a third phys-
clan, on another island, resigned and left the
country in disgust. The same complaint comes
from government doctors in every part of the
group. Every work done by the present Board
OF Health, or more properly president OF the
board, is some act that will lend a temporary
lustre to his dying popularity; he stops at
nothing to accomplish some selfish motives.
The maladminis,ration Of matters in connec.
ton with leprosy is long story Of crime. The
law has been repeatedly violated at the request
Of those high in authority, and the guilty
parties are liable to impeachment, which they
richly deserve. This matter Of leprosy we will
touch upon more fully at some future time, al
though now in possession OF sufficient iniorma.
ton TO cause the summary removal OF more
than one member Of the board, under an indie.
pendent and impartial administration.