Saturday press. [volume] (Honolulu, H.I.) 1880-1885, 1882-12-02


inquiry with view to ascertaining as near as
possible the exact number OF lepers at large in
Honolulu, preparatory, as is presumed, to
their proper segregation. What astonishing
devotion to dutyi Making inquiry upon
subject so notorious that they could scarcely es-
cape the knowledge il they would No doubt
the Gaseffe properly estimates the organs oh.
ject in making the statement. For, if the
Board Of Health really intended to listen to
the protests Of the people, and proceed to
tardy attempt at performing their duty in this
matter, they would scarcely warn the lepers Of
their intention, thus inducing them to secrete
themselves to avoid arrest. MOI The plain
truth of the matter is, they do not dare do
their duty
Their principal physician has been trying
for weeks to have at least fifty confirmed cases
removed to Kalawao, but without success: the
'powers that be" will not consent and why2
The organ further eSpatiates upon the noble
efforts of the board in adding to the comforts
of the branch hospital, place which common
signation for lepers and their friends, in that
the discipline and isolation is not complete.
There is no question but that the place is
cleanly and comfortable, and well conducted
but, with all that, its principal object is de.
ieated, for not only are extreme cases kept
there against the advice Of the attendant phy
sician, but the rules in reference to communi.
eating with outside friends are repeatedly trans
gressed, and in defiance of the wishes of the
physician in charge. He is powerless to refuse
admission to an applicant armed with permit
signed by the premier president; besides the
place is not properly guarded, and there is
ample evidence that forbidden communications
are frequent, all Of which has tendency TO
increase rather than diminish leprosy in Homo
lulu. But Honolulu is not the only place af.
ficted. All over the kingdom this official in.
competence is proportionatey hurtful, and
leprosy is on the increase. A reliable gentle
man from the vicinity of Waipio, Hawaii, es-
Inmates the number of lepers in his district to be
one in every ten persons, and similar reports
come from other districts throughout the coun.
try. The mor,fyng confession has gone abroad,
and foreign journals are busy criticising the
Hawaiian plague" 1t is high time that some
decisive steps were taken.
1t is not at all strange that the responsible
ones deny with vehement mendacity the
charges that are rung from all directions
against them, but it is decidedly strange that
they should so far lose their temper as to
make surring remarks about our prominent
and well-tried physicians, especially when such
denunciations could give no possible force to
their denials.
To some Of Mr.. Gibsons greatest friends
this wilful inaction is unaccountable. Even
his enemies gave him credit for sincerity on
the health question. In his election CAMPAIGN
he paraded this subject as special issue He
was constantly attacking the short -comings of
previous Observation-Disclosures and constantly
giving. glowing descriptions Of what he would
do II he had the power. He has been in Of
hce for months, with three times more money
appropriated for health purposes than was at
the disposal of the health officers whom he so
violently assailed, and he has performed sov,se
than nothing.
His inconsistency is mysterious to many, but
the reason is plain to Others. He is afraid 10
do ms d"ty. His eyes were opened to the
political significance of the leprosy question
during the legislative session, when he sought
to play fast and loose with physician whose
method OF treatment had in measure gained
the confidence OF the natives. An opposition
so powerful Immediately developed against him
that he found it very convenient to propitiate
the man he had tried to deceive, and to con.
ciliate the natives with dangerous promises
which have now come home to roost. Fore
seeing the opposition that his vcnality could
not fail to develop against him among the in.
telligcnt and wealthy, he determined to sacri
nee the public well-being in serving his indi.
vldual ends and maintaining his political place. |
lie sought to secure the support Of the com
paratively uniformed masses and an isRnfu |
nal tf'o. by pandering to THEN wishes in his |
capacity as President of the Board Of Health, |
' f~''ss"''y 'h'a'ihs law recognized /
public needs. How well he has succeeded the |
people can Judge t- tiH ta
For this treason to public good, however.
the premier has earned the pity as well as con.
Tempt OF all intelligent Hawaians and alien
residents, for he now finds himself between
Two hres, Public opinion and the jus, de.
nands OF the people will surely either force
him from office OF into an attempted per.
o'mance Of his duty. II he attempts to do
his duty thoroughly. he will find il next to i'm
possible on account Of his delay and duplici,y.
lie must either lose his place OF the s'friends
oi day whom his deceit has gained him.
The indications are strong that he will lose
both. A humiliaiing spectacle for the peoples
consideration, but the responsibility is prop.
'riy placed, and the remedy will surely come.