Saturday press. [volume] (Honolulu, H.I.) 1880-1885, 1882-12-16
) PRESS
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 10. ,ss,
All matter for the Saturday Press should be
addressed to the " SATURDAY PRESS"
THE BOARD or HEAL7H AND
LEPROSY.


Ii is an unpleasant duty which compels the
conspicuous continuance of this disagIeeable
subject. Unpleasant in many ways and FOR
many reasons, but it is nevertheless dniy
which, owing to present unfortunate conditions
and proper regard for the wel-being of Ha-
wai, conscientious journalism cannot well
avoid
There can be nothing inviting about depict
ing the rayages Of this incurable disease, OF in
critcising the ineifcency Of officials 10 whose
negligence and incompetence is largely due the
alarming growth Of his national calamity.
And the writer who engages in such an occu-
honest desUe to promote the public welfare
and to aid in working official reformation, can
lay no claim to public confidence OF favor. He
would be justly ehargeable with 'sensational"
and pernicious journalism who would wantonly
expose the sad Affections of families or individ.
uals OF rccklessly give undue publicity to ma
tional evils, merely to gain questionable noto-
riety. And he who attacks public men in
their official capacity as servants of the people
without Just cause and sufficient evidence OF
ineapacity, or in the interests of political
| schemers," deserves the sevcrcst condemna-
ton, but not more than the journalist who
labors 10 conceal and erfhSe official venaliiy,
and who has not the courage to attack and eS-
pose notorious public abuses. Both are enc
mics 10 the public good
| In treating this subject which is now exciting
such deep interest and alarm throughout Ha.
waii, we are not prompted 10y sensational.
ism" "sore.headism or any ;Sm other than
nc welfare OF the people. We are not ''spite
ful" nor "disappointed," neither are We seek
Ing official favor nor place. We certainly do
not envy those incompetent officials who have
apparently gained such influence with the mis-.
taken ruler OF a plague.cursed people, and who
are 50 thoroughly obnoxious to all intelligent
and rght.minded citizens But We engage IL
this work with honesty OF purpose to aid The
right and expose the wrong, and an earnest
determination to continue our efforts until the
people are thoroughly aroused to realizing
sense OF the dangers which surround them-o
the deadly poison to physical and poliiica
well'being which is running the reputation and
menaeing the life OF the nation, with the hop,
that the indignation OF an outraged public will
work the reformation SO sadly needed. No
language is powerful enough to pain, true
picture OF the Tavages Of this dreadful disease
IN Hawai-. A too vivid presentation is mol
possible Who will attempt to measure tn,
misery this plague has brought upon the Ha
saiian people What Imagination Is powerful
enough TO depic, the horror and suiierin,
caused BY its blighling touch wha, more
fearful fate can be conceived than that o
healthy manhood destroyed BY this iaeurahl,
curscS
And daily when NC see the unfortunate vic
Tins around Us and kissu that ON every sid,
this horrible poison turks, do We realize how
soon such a fate may be our OWE, unless som.
speedy and radical change Is eiiec,edl DO tn
fond mothers of healthy, bright-eyed, laaghinl
children realize when their daIlines leave 70
school in the morning that they may return il
the evening innoeulated with the germs Of
disease that can only resul, in years Of miserl
and miserable dealhl DO the parents OF boy
just verging into manhood, realize, to ~hat
young men Who are no, exeep,ionall, careful
OF themselves. arc exposed in this community
Does the King in his palaee realize how soo'