The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1891-12-11
THE UNION HOLDS
STORMY SESSION.
Shall the People Elect Government
Officers?
An Animated Discussion-Many Men,
Many Minds-The Meeting Breaks
Up Without Reaching any
Results.


Mechanics Union was held last even
ing at Robinson's Hall.
The meeting was called to order at
7:45, with Vice-President Mckenzie
in the chair, and about fifty persons
present. The minutes of the preced-
ing meeting were read and approved.
An inquiry was made as to how the
association stood financially?
Mr.. Marquis CTreasurer) stated that
it looked as though they were going
to be about $40 short.
Harry K. Mills and A. r. Peters
were elected members of the Union.
The Secretary read a resolution for
debate, setting forth that the Mechan-
ics' Union was in favor of the cleo
ton of officers by the people, and
moving that the candidates of the
party be instructed to favor all mea-
sures tending in that direction.
The President stated the matter
was before the meeting for discussion.
Mr.. Quinn moved the resolution
pass as read. He thought the matter
very simple. The legislature had
created road boards. That he thought
was very good step. Now it was
questionable whether it would not be
better to elect road boards. This reso-
luton left it to the legislature to con-
slider. He thought it good thing to
try. We can begin little at time;
not too fast. This resolution leaving
the matter to the legislature can do
no harm and may do good.
Mr.. Kanui asked if he had right
% Dnrvoo iccinTo haiFnr
he said the resolution was good.
He wished to know, however, who
the mobiles and representatives were
to whom the resolution was to be re-
ferred. He thought the matter should
be referred to a special committee.
Mr.. Mills thought the resolution
very vague. Who were to be elected
by the people? What was the use of
the resolution when the mobiles and
representatives could ignore it COM
pletely. He agreed with the last
speaker. 1t ought to be referred to
committee to determine which Off
Gals should be elected by the people.
Mr.. Kanui favored reference to a
committee. Heads of bureaus should
be elected.
Mr.. Mills moved the appointment
of committee, to report at the next
meeting. The committee would for
mulate the views of this organization
and they would be presented to the
legislature.
Mr.. Gibbs objected to a gentleman
bringing in resolution and leaving
others to explain it. He ought to be
here to give his views. Nobody could
make anything out of this resolution.
It must, of course, be presented to the
representatives and mobiles, whether
they were noble or ignoble.
Secretary Stone favored President
Phillips remarks made at a previous
meeting. He believed in electing
cabinet officers.
Mr.. Nathaniel saw no use in dis
cussing the matter. 1t would be re-
ferred to committee and their re-
port would be discussed.
Mr.. Gibbs explained that his re-
marks referred to the original resOlu-
ton.
Mr.. Quinn said we had been argu-
ing this question about four weeks.
He agreed that the officers to be
elected should be named. He wished
one of the last speakers (Mr.
Mills) to state at once what
officers were to be elected. He seems
to be we'll up in it. The matter
ought to be argued right now. A
committee might not report for two
or three weeks. He would like to hear
from this gentleman and that. Let's
settle it right here. Otherwise we
will never get through.
Mr.. Mills was of Mr.. Quinn's opin-
ion. He saw no need of a committee
and thought the matter could be set
tied right here.
Mr.. Mckenzie called for Mr.. Lucas
views.
Mr.. T. R. Lucas said he had not
been here of late. The hue and cry
of the town was to elect the govern
ment officers. 1t would be pretty
hard to elect all. The resolution
probably meant principal officers,
heads of bureaus, collector of GUS
toms, postmaster general, superin-
would take three or four years to
bring that about as it would require a
good deal of change. He thought it
would be good thing. Cabinet Off
GERS though, he thought would have
to be appointed.
Mr.. Kanui said that was the very
thing he wanted. Perhaps not the
cabinet but those subordinate officers.
He moved the old resolution be
thrown out the window.
Secretary Stone said the old plat
form called for election of cabinet
officers and subordinate officers by
the people.
Mr.. Bowler said the matter had
got to be left to the legislature any
WaV, AS it was in the DlatfOrm he
thought the Union should vote Whe-
ther it should remain there or not.
He moved that it remain in the plat
form.
Mr.. Mills thought we were at sea.
A gentleman over there (Mr. Bowler)
thought we had a platform. A gen
tleman here (Mr. Quinn) wished to
make new one. He would like
little light.
A confused discussion ensued as to
what was before the house.
Captain Ross said on July %, 1890,
an Incident occurred which the
organization ought not to forget. A
committee had been found to wait
upon the Cabinet and ask for re-
moval of obnoxious officers from SER
vice of Government. A great deal of
discomfort had been expressed as to
abuse of Office by Government en-
ployees. Those who had been elected
to uphold the laws had disregarded
them by being very active in the pre-
vious election. They moved about as
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