The Daily bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Hawaii]) 1882-1895, 1890-03-03
- -
ECHOES OF THE CONTEST.

EDITOR BrLLErIN: "A corrcspon-
dent in the Hawaiian Gazette of
25th ult. advocates to "bury the
hatchet," after throwing ont some
insinuations, that certain person
who is under arrest for perjury was
induced to commit such perjury
through the influence of National
Reform money. rum, or intlmda-
tion. The National Reform party
on Maui had during the last election
neither money nor gin, and the
members of the party are not in po-
sitions which would enable them to
intimidatc. Why does the CORES
pondent not mention the trial pend
ing against the Wailuku plantation's
head luna for corrupt practices:
Perhaps that will show the use of
intimidation, etc, on the part of
the Reform party. The men who
voted for the National Reform ticket
represent the independent voters
of the island, and comparison with
the votes cast at the election in 1887
shows, that then the Opposition only
got So votes on their Noble ticket,
while this time the opposition to the
Reform party polled about 200.
Whcrefrom and why this change:
In 1897 the opposition did not
elect one representative, while in
1890 they carried four solid men
and one independent. There is no
doubt here that if the voters, par
ticularly on Baldwin's and Spreck-
els plantations, had been left alone
to vote as they pleased, the result
here would have been the same as
on Oahu. And there it is, where
legislation is wanted. The revision
of the election law is the most ne
cessary act to he performed by the
coming Legislature. The secret bal
lot will help great deal, but steps
should be taken TO efficiently pre-
vent the plantation managers from
bulldozing their men into voting
their way.
The law in regard to challenging
of votes is also very unsatisfactory
at least as carried out by the Minis
tcrial Inspectors of Election here
In case of challenge, the bnrdcI
of proof, that the would-bc voter il
not entitled to vote, ought to fall Oh
the man challenging, and all tha
should he asked of the voter is hi
oath to the effect that he is entitled
to vote or considers himself so, sucl
statement to be investigated If neces
sary after the election. In SOutl
Wailuku an instance happened
which called for q great deal o.
comment. On the election day
votcr---a well known peddler Of Ion.
residence here-was challenged b.,
q gentleman, who is now elected a
Noble, no other cause being givel
than that the challenger was morall,
(sic } convinced, that the voter ha'
not an income sufficient TO enttl
him to vote for Mobiles, and if b
had such income, he did not dcriv
it from legitimate sources. A num
Der of persons were present, ant
everybody knew, including the chal
lcngcr, that the objection was highl.
frivolous and simply caused through
spite on account of the peddlcr'
activity as a runner for the Nationa
Reform party. Instead of admins
tering an oath to the voter and stat
ing a cause for the challenge, th
chairman of the Board of Inspector
of course the obeaient seryant 0
the challenger-bcgan an examina
ton and ross-cXamnat,on Of tn,
voter, wanted to see his books, etc
The man iiYes about three mile
from the polling place. Finally tn
! voter was allowed 10 deposit hi