Saturday press. [volume] (Honolulu, H.I.) 1880-1885, 1884-05-31
THE AUDITOR gEyrBaL

In reference to the Auditing Act,
this journal, at the time of its enact
ment, expressed grave doubts as to its
utility, and pointed out the weak points
of the law and the inability of any
auditor to check the actions of the
cabinet in the matter of government
expenditure. 1t was then said that so
loosely framed an act gave color to the
suspicion that it was merely one of
those blinds Gn the use of which
the "'premire had shown himself an
adept designed to mislead the assem-
bly, in regard to the very honest inten-
tons of the new administration. No
hint, however, was made as to the un-
fitness Of the man appointed under its
provisions, as no one then had any
reason to suspect that the office would
be conducted in anything but proper
manner The developments, however,
of the last few days show that the
auditor has been distinctly acting in
contrariety with the law, and that he
has, to a considerable extent, been en-
gagged in outside business. He has
been acting as executor Of the will of
deceased person, and, as auditor, has
audited his own bills. 1t is claimed
by Mr.. Walker that his acceptance Of
the trust of James Hayselden was
purely an act Of friendship for the
deceased, and regard for the widow
and children, and that no commissions
had been charged. While we might
admire the generosity and self.sacrifice
of Mr.. Walker in conducting without
charge the affairs of a considerable
estate, we cannot but feel that in so
doing he has distinctly violated the
most essential provision Of the act.
But the conduct Of this estate appears
not to have been the only instance
wherein Mr.. Walker has acted in vio-
lation of the law. He was agent for
Mr.. Hayselden before he died, and
agent for, at least, one other govern
ment contractor. He has also acted for
some time past as an agent for an in
surance company, for which agency we
are also asked to believe he has re-
ceived no pay. This propensity to do
business gratuitously for others is, to
say the least, somewhat remarkable ;
but we feel that if such a humane and
generous propensity must be INDUCED,
it would be far more appropriate that it
should be exercised more in accord
ance with law than can be the case
with man holding the auditors Office.
Mr. Gibson, as champion in general Of
all illegal acts done by or under the
administration land they are numerous),
has informed the assembly that Mr.
Walker is president Of the humane
society, and wishes people to follow his
absurd inference that the holding Of
such an Office by the auditor is no less
a violation Of the law than his holding
Of an insurance agency or an executor.
ship. If this be so, then the auditor
has no business to hold such Office.
But people not quite fatuous can very
readily see the difference between the
holding of an Office not designed for
commercial purposes, and carrying with
it, no emoluments, and others, strictly
speaking, connected with commercial
transactions and designed for that pur-
pose only. The vote of Wednesday,
in the face of what had been shown by
Mr. Godfrey Brown, was rather q sur
prise; that vote may be different when
the report Of the finance committee
shall have been presented.