The Daily bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Hawaii]) 1882-1895, 1886-06-05
FIRE ELECTIONS.

week or two tickets have been
arranged and re-arranged, nomina-
tions made, Cancelled and revised,
until they now stand thus: Wilson,
Asch and Hustace; Wilson, Mon
sarrat and Hustace; Mott, Mon
sarrat and Hustace. The first
named in each ticket is for Chief,
the second for First Assistant, and
third for Second Assistant. AS the
time of election approaches, enthu-
siasm wakes warm, the adherents of
each ticket seem to work with aug
Mented vigor for the triumph Of their
respective nominations, and speak
with equal confidence of assured
success.
This is a matter in which every
householder is really more deeply
concerned than householders gener-
ally realize. 1t is of no small con-
sequence to them what description
of men are placed at the head of
the fire department, to command,
direct, and control the. noble army
of volunteers who hold themselves i'm
readiness, night and day, to battle
with the fierce flames whenever they
may commence their work of des-
truction. To every householder, to
every resident, even to transient
visitors, it is of supreme import
ance that men of clear heads and
sound judgment, backed with cour-
age and vigilance, should be elected
to the positions of Chief and Assist
ants Of the fire force; for the life
and property of all are largely in
their keeping The case of the poor
sailor who lost his life in the conna-
grafton which destroyed Wallace's
lodging house on Fort street, fresh
in the memory of many readers,
might be cited to show the interest
of even the mere casual visitor in
this matter.
Householders and residents are
not only interested in the sense just
now briefly indicated, but in another
and more direct way, as taxpayers.
The fire service, although voluntary,
is properly maintained by public
funds, to which every taxpayer con-
tributes a share. An appropriation
is regularly made by the Legislature
for this purpose, and an unusually
large amount is needed and asked
for to meet the special demands of
the ensuing biennial period. The
officers of the fire department direct
and control the expenditure of the
appropriation, and the contributors,
that is, the taxpayers, are interested
in selecting men in whom they have
confidence that the money will be
expended honestly, economically,
judlciously, and to the best advan-
tage.
With regard to the names on the
various tickets, little other than
words of commentator can be
uttered respecting them. The fact
that each has so large following
and such warm support seems to in
dicate that there is not much to
choose between them. They are all
to some extent tried men, and their
record is before the community. Of
the two gentlemen nominated for
Chief, Mr.. John Mott has held the
position for series of years, and
has given satisfactory proof of his
fitness for the trust. In addition 10
his past experience and good re-
cord, it should he remembered in
his favor that he is practical me-
chanic, whose calling gives him a
thorough knowledge of the construc-
tion of buildings, which is very es-
sential knowledge for the Chief of
fire department TO have. Besides,
he is thoroughly representative
citizen, and gentleman whom the
people respect, esteem, and trust.
His election would undoubtedly give
the greatest satisfaction to the largest
interests involved.
The opposing candidate, Mr.. G.
b. Wilson, is gentleman of energy
and decision, with the capacity to
command, and is withal an excellent
fireman. But from the people
standpoint there is one insurmount-
able objection to his election-he is
Superintendent of the Water Works.
1t is the duty of the Superintendent
to attend to the water supply at the
time of fire, and he cannot do that
and direct the fire bripades at the