The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-09-09
HAWAII.
Rochester Democrat and Chronicle.


The Chicago Tribune publishes a letter
from Honolulu, written by Charles NJ.
Pepper, giving an interesting description
of how Hawa is now governed. Inc
general scheme of the provisional repupnc
includes a president, a senate ana mouse
of representatives, executive heads Oh 'he
several departments, and council OF
state. The last-named body is composed
of fifteen members, five of whom are ap-
pointed by the senate, five by the house
of representatives, and five by the presi-
dent. The members of the council are
leading mon who are not actlNely en-
gagged in public affairs, and inclure natiVe
Hawaiians. The prerogatives OF TINS body
are thus described: The council has
power to appropriate public moneys DUR
ing periods intervening between the ses-
sions Of the legislature. 1t acts as par
don board i'm conjunction with the presl-
dent and cabinet, and is also liable to be
convened by the president whenever Ns
advice may be wanted. In quiet times
like the present small need is shown for
council of state, yet its existence Is
source of reserve power that tends TO
strengthen the whole fabric of the state
The constitution was modelled after that
| of the United States, with annexation eN-
pressly In view, and with the ldea OIL
habituating the people to the American
state, as an additional feature, was de-
signed to popularize and strengthen the
provisional government, and 1t has sue
ceeded in accomplishing this purpose. Inc
prevailing feeling Is one of content, OIL
confidence in President Dole, and OF ex-
pectaton of union with the United states,
Mr.. Pepper writes: Tested by the ex-
perience of nearly five years this Gia-
walian government that is commands re-
spect. Studied carefully 1t evokes ad-
mira ton. Analysed It seems to lack no
| real element of assimilation with Ameri-
can political institutions. After brlef
period of observation l have been struck
with IT'S iexibil!ty."
Some features of life in Honolulu are
| thus noted: 1.-The characteristics of CLINE,
| soil and skies are blended in the system
| of government. The gentleness and OPEN
| ness of the native people are respected.
| The rigor of Puritan principles is softened
| in non-essentials. Honolulu, for instance,
| has a Sunday-closing law, and it is en-
forced. But on Sunday afternoons pub
lie concert is given by the government
band at Kapiolani park, and everybody
is usually to be found there. The band is
as much an institution as the marine
band in Washington, with difference
| that in Hawaii it contributes more to the
popular enjoyment. In other respects
also lberality is shown by the authori-
ties in making provision for the enter
tanment of the people. For small
country there is no lack of outward form
with which to dignity the government
The tropical fondness for display is cul-
tivated in moderation. Guards in uniform
and with arms pace the grounds of the
palace They are relieved at intervals
with military precision and under mill
tary orders. Not ar hour out of the
|
tries on duty. Hardly a night have
failed to hear the sentres cry: Twelve
o'clock, and alrs WELL All this Is not
empty form. When in 1895 the partisans
of the overturned monarchy sought &c
overthrow the provisional republic theil
plan was to seize the palace. The base
ment of the building is used as an arsena
and the barracks of the Hawaiian Ma
tional Guard are only few hundred fee
laway."
President Dole is described as a man o.
rare ability and tact, capable of meeting
any situation, ard enjoying the implicl
confidence of all the people, including
friends of the deposed queen. Under MI
administration agriculture and other in
dustries have prospered as never before
| various public improvements have beei
made, and an admirable educational sys
TEN has been established. Honolulu is de
scribed as an excellently governed mum
icipality in which sanitary regulation
are stringently enforced to the great ad
vantage of all residents. The regular po
lice is made up of native Hawaiians, will
the exception of the mounted force, an
educated natives are also numerously EN-
ployed in the offices of the government
There is no attempt to suppress freedom
of speech. Mr.. Pepper says: The priv
lege of finding fault is not worth possess
inn hn
told 'confdentially' that the governmen
is only a clique. Private citizens hav
explained to me how much better the
could have mar aged the controversy wit
Japan than Foreign Minister Cooper ha
done. Attorney-General William o. Smitf
! who is one of the active and forceful lead
ers in the republic, has been described a
Bill Smith, the politician Members c
the American league and the AnneXatio
club have told me that President Dole wa
an old fogy,' too slow for a wideawak
community, and that he was not pushin
annexation fast enough. But these crit
, cisms are only surface ebullitions.
one complains that the president OF IN
! republic has ever proven too slow in
crisis or that the administration is lacl
ing in essential points"
The conclusion of the correspondent
that the conditions in Hawaii, while the
| approach the ideal" cannot endure. III
: reason is, first, that the little republic
threatened by clashing national amb
tions in the Pacific, and second, that Il
: career was begun and has been continue
2 with annexation to the United States e.
T pressly in view. 1t may be added tn;
this is the manifest destiny of the island
that we want them and they want u
: that such has been the American vie
2 for many years, and that wise statesman
: ship will consummate the union withol
: unnecessary delay.
THE BUSIEST MONTH,
t From the Times-Herald.