Saturday press. [volume] (Honolulu, H.I.) 1880-1885, 1884-04-12

survey department A constructing
engineer of experience is already on
the ground An appropriation is all
that is needed to bcgW the work On
the principle that the smirch of Mr.
Gibson's evil reputation is a continuous
reproach to his colleagues, many honest
Independents take the extreme view
that no honest men live in the
/ Gibsonian Sodom and that the govern
mentS present activity, in public
improvement of the most vital impor-
tance to Honolulu, is mere molasses to
catch legislative votes or to clog the
wheels OF investigation by an appeal to
the sympathy and confidence Of a
simple and ignorant constituency.
But we think there is no need to view
the present semblance of public spirit
with uncompromising suspicion. If
carried out it will be of so much i'm
portance to Honolulu land to the king
DOM that II ought to have the cordial
support Of all classes and all parties.
No one need fear that it will block the
wheels of investigation Mr.. Gibson
cannot possibly claim any credit for it.
Mr. Gulick must make a satisfactory
showing of his stewardship in other
directions Mr. Neumann must an
swer for the administration of his
department since he assumed control.
Mr. Kapena must be investigated
through his registrar There is Ger
tainly enough material for Investigators
to work upon. But, in any legislation
that may be brought to bear upon the
water question, let there be no pre-
judice.
The opinion of physicians who have
made careful statistical study of the
sanitary condition of cities, and have also
practically investigated this most vital
OF hygenc topics, is overwhelmingly
in favor of enforced governmental
cleanliness. Attention to civic clean
liness has made New Orleans and
Memphis far less at the mercy of
"Yellow Jack than they once were
and those cities are preparing to spend
large sums yearly in perpetual self
protective warfare against the most
dreadful scourge of tropical and semi
tropical life. In this city sewerage
system has become a public necessity.
II will require large first outlay to
create 1t, and its maintenance will be
expensive. But, if the money be wisely
and honestly expended it will be worth
all it costs We must not close any
more streets. Many new cross streets
are needed, not only for the convent
ence Of the public but for the better
circulation of air. The Chinese quarter
is a quarter of filth II one half as
dirty as it seems, it ought to breed
disease in itself At the best it is bad,
and more streets through it would help
to make IT possible to enforce adequate
sanitary laws. In the past epidemic
diseases arising from filth have not $50
far as the writer has learned) been dan
gerous in Honolulu. But we must
look facts in the face; we must look
ahead. A gentleman naval officer
who visited Honolulu last year wrote
by the last mail as follows "If Homo
lulu be not model of cleanliness
and | fear it is not-have YOU ever
considered what may happen after the
Panama Canal is completed and your
beautiful island becomes the stopping
place of steamers from the isthmus
Yellow fever might easily be transported
over the stretch of intervening sea, and
the prevalent trade winds your pan
acea for all sanitary lls-might not be
sufficient to protect you. Am | an
alarmist ? think not believe, more
over, that it is only question Of time
when that horrible pestilence will be
taken to China and the East. Condi-
tons are ripe there for the monster.
And when the visit is made, such
havoc will be played, that the plague at
Marscilles will be but an adumbration. .
" In time of peace prepare for war"
Let us clock the stable" bs/0re, not
atler the horse is gone"