Saturday press. [volume] (Honolulu, H.I.) 1880-1885, 1882-04-15
Reorganize the Police.

from localities on Otner ISLANDS the
neiiconcy of the police in fact, the nefficencyi is
so notorious and is so conspicuously subject of
unfavorable comment, perhaps should say
scandalous remark, throughout all the islands of
the group, Oahu not excepted, that there is moth
ing doubtful about the expedency of thorough
reorganization This is no new subject for crti-
cism; much has been written and said about it;
communications and complaints from citizens
whose interests are jeopardized appear i'll almost
every issue of the weekly papers, but apparently
without effect. 1t would seem that those officials
who at the head of this branch of the public
service, and therefore responsible for the ncapAci
ty of their subordinates, secure in their posi-
tons, the public veal to the contrary notwith-
standing. Why this should be is difficult to
understand. There should be nothing meay
mouthed tender-footsd about attacking this
abuse of official patronage; it Is question that
directly effects the welfare of the people and
society. and in which all Interested
If the Marshal of this Kingdom qualified
tor his Office twenty years ago when crime Of any
description of exceedingly occurrence
here and he has not kept pace with the changed
conditions of society and is not now qualified for
the present requirements of his office, he should
step down and out and give place to some one who
better protect the interests of the people,
their lives and property If he retains inefficient
subordnates III office he Is responsible for their
incapacity and should be held strictly account
able; political, religious, or social aiiinities
should protect him. discriminating public,
though appreciating his long service, Will be un
KIND enough to expect reSlIt5-aDillty instead OF
pretence. If he Is man to whom nothing new
can be told, who always knows just what Is going
to happen ETC., his great wisdom should he di-
rected with effect toward the suppression of the
Illegal liquor traffic among the Chinese; or
perhaps he might capture few of the burglars
who have been experimenting around Honolulu so
much of late; Ill fact, there are many duties
pertaining to his Office that man of such wisdom
should surely be able to perform successfully.
If the corpulent and incompetent Sheriff of
Maui must necessarily be fed on government pap
and cannot possibly be relegated to the quetude
of private life; If 1t is against State policy to re-
move him and give some more deserving servant a
show; if the influence of relationship other
wise Is powerful enough to retain him as a public
servant against the public interests, perhaps 1t
would be we'll to make diligent search down the
list of government positions for some piacs that
he is qualified to fill, and transfer him and give
the people of Maui what they much need, an able
Sheriff. If the people of the district of Makawao
wish to retain an able olhcer in whom they have con-
fidence and with whom they are satisfied, why are
they not allowed to do SO II the Sheriff of Hawaii
does not suit the people whose interests he issnppos
ed To serve and does not fulfill the demands OF his
position, the influence of relatives should not
have power to retain him in office; and Why if
he must needs be maintained In his position,
should his Incapable deputies at Hamakua and
Kau retain their places against the loudly pro-
claimed protests OF the people most Interested
who live in those districts! In critcisng the
conduct of public servants it is proper in most
cases to embody specific allegations i'll order to
give weight to argument, but i'll this case the
proofs of incapaclty are SO abundant and the
subject is so we'll understood by the people that
ceped and the necessity for reorganization be
admitted without dispute.
However in this connection, few of the de-
moraliZlng effects of the incapacty in this branch
of the public service may well be considered. The
illicit traffic i'll liquor and opium is most perni-
cious its effects upon society and the welfare of
the people. Statistics prove that that this traffic
is largely on the increase. AT the late Planters
Convention 1t was stated that upwards OF 10000
gallons of Intoxicating liquor were either imported
by, or sold to, Cinnamon during the last year. They
do not drink it themselves the law, chea nfo,ced
prohibits them selling it; what is the inference |!
The question of labor is now admitted to be most
important as affecting the country's prosperity
ana how does tins illegal traffic affect that II is
asserted by interested planters, and have no
doubt their assertions are true that II the laws
were properly enforced i'll various localities where
the scarcity of labor is severely felt, aborers
would clamor for employment, but when they can
make easier living peddling gin "nd opium
unmolested and nnrestrained by the officers of
the law. the inducement to go into the cane fields
and work is wanting. Now any local influence
operating against supplying the demand for labor
is direct paraytic stroke upon the countrys in
dustries and should receive the severcst condem-
nation. Yet this failure to do their duty on the
part of the police of the Kingdom has this effect,
as well encouraging the increase of vice and
crime This is strong languase bu! the evidence
immoral effects of this unsurpassed criminal
traffic ncalcualable, especially upon people
whose civilization is SO incomplete, making douby
hard the Christians work.
And where the responsibility be placed but
upon those to whom is intrusted the execution OF
the laws, The interest of every wholesale mer-
chant in Honolulu mot liquor dealer) is
injured by this violation IF law it is ruinous to
their customers on the other Islands and therefore
injurious to them There is no excuse possible
for the conduct of the police in this matter. In
country of such limited extent where all branches
of trade and means of transportation can easily
be reached and inspected, it should be impossible
for crime of this nature to escape the eye of I
vigilant and able police. They original pack
ages of liquors by the dozens put on board thu
inter-isand steamers every week consigned tc
Cinnamon in different parts OF the Kingdom, be
sides the large quantities known to be shipped il
u disguised form they see il landed on the othe