The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1886-07-19

COLONEL sPRECKELs INTERVIEWED.

to an interview with Colonel Spreckels |
Honolulu; also in reference to the Gov
eminent land at the city front, about
both OF which gossip and Imagination
have been very busy for several weeks
past We adopted this plan OF disposing
of these questions for two reasons: The
first is that we thought the people at
large would be better satisfied with a
statement from the lips OF Colonel
Spreckels than one coming from third
party; the second reason is that in our
judgment the time had come when he
should speak out on his own behalf and
confound his detractors. 1t is hardly
necessary for US to summarize the SLAM
ders that have been put in circulation in
this connection to the detriment OF
Colonel Spreckels. Suffice it that the
idea was kept alive and active that the
gentleman named intended to convert
the Water Works and harbor of Homo
lulu to his own use, for his own personal
sggrand cement. -
mongers that apart from the extravagant
absurdity of these charges, the history
of Colonel Spreckels' relations to the
Hawaiian Government rendered it ex-
tremely improbable that he should use
his position as a public creditor TO Sc
cure an undue advantage for himself.
He did not refuse special loan OF
paltry seven thousand dollars to the
Government, and take advantage of its
pressing necessity to obtain possession
of fifty thousand acres OF valuable land
by purchase for that amount, as was
done by another financial power. He
has advanced over $3.50, 900 TO the Gov
eminent without special security of any
kind, and in variety OF other ways has
endeavored to sustain its credit against
the assaults of those who, having lived
much longer in the country than he has
done, should have been equally solicit
Gus of maintaining Hawaiian credit I'M
impaired. Colonel Spreckels is not a
wrecker; that designation belongs to
those who would ruin the country if they
may not rule it.
The interview speaks for itself. 1t
shows precisely what Colonel Spreckels
thought and suggested, and what he
now thinks and suggests: After reading
it we defy any man of ordinary intelli-
gence to entertain a suspicion of any
kind regarding the honesty of that gen
tleman's intentions. 1t brings out in
strong relief his public spirit and shrewd
business sense. And it presents the
matters spoken of in a new and iutelli-
gent way There is no ambiguity or
concealment. What he thinks he says /;
and in thought and speech he holds the
public veal first in place.
We shall not discuss the question of
organizing local company to take over
the Water Works and increase the water
supply of the city and shipping, because
it is not live issue. There is abundance
of pure water available. The Govern
ment have had the surveys made, and
the pipes for the supply from source to
finish are on hand. Adequate labor is
ut its command. No question of adverse
title is likely to arise and all that is
needed is to go ahead and do the work.
Colonel Spreckels' exploration of the
source of supply, at great personal in
convenience and fatigue, having demon
strated the feasibility OF increasing the
supply in a way not to be gainsaid, it
now only remains to carry out in detail
the modified plan outlined in our inter
view. But it should be added that
Colonel Spreckels never contemplated
acquiring possession of the Water Works,
or even controlling interest in any
company that might have been formed
for that purpose.
Touching the Esplanade, the position
is very simple. The Government own a
valuable tract OF reclaimed land which
has cost good deal of money, and is
unproductive There is therefore loss of
interest on the sum expended in recla-
nation, and also loss of taxes to the Gov
eminent. Colonel Spreckels thinks, the
grade having been established, that il
should be divided into lots of convenient
size and sold upon extended terms OF
payment, and so ensure the largest
possible return to the Government
upon the easiest possible condi-
tons to purchasers. But he does
not want to acquire the Esplanade
property either by lease or purchase
He desires that every one should have q
chance to invest in improving property
Now, this is n business proposition
which everybody will understand. Is il
better that the Government should con
tinue to borrow money at interest, when
by disposing of small part of its land
it may get out of debt and secure large
annual increase of taxes? Colonel
Spreckels thinks it is better to sell than
to hold on to the reclaimed land, losing
interest on expenditure as well as taxes,
and we agree with him in SO thinking.
There is another side to this question
also. If the Esplanade property were
sold, buyers could not afford to let it lie
idle. They would be in the losing posi-
ton the Government now occupy.
They would pay taxes and interest with