The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1898-06-17
THAT VICIOUS REPORT.

We repeat again, the statement we
made yesterday morning, that com
mittee Of the House. has made nine
principal charges, and four subor-
dfnate, but equally serious charges
against the Superintendent of Public
Works; charges which if true, cover
him with public infamy, and upon in
dictment and conviction under the
criminal laws, would consign him to
prison;
That during the elaborate eX'
animation into the Superintend-
ent's conduct, the Committee has,
at no time, furnished the Superin-
tendent either with a copy of the
testimony taken against him, or a
copy OF the charges which appear
i'm its report, nor did it intimate
to him that it would make any
charges against him.
This is in effect lynch law" 1t is
execution without trial.
The Legislature has full power to
Investigate the conduct of the pubic
business. 1t has, moreover the legal
right, to condemn within constitutional
limits without hearing. 1t is supreme
in this respect, and can not be reached
or overruled by any other power ex-
cepting that of Public Opinion. This
mower of Public Opinion acts with more
or less force through the Press. When
the Legislative body attempts to con-
troll or crush, or hamper Public Opin-
ion. however harshly it may express
itself. it strikes at free speech. Just
at this point, the Supreme Court, ap-
pears. and under clear provisions OF
the Constitution, takes the matter
ont of the hands of the Legislature,
and protects free speech, COM
pletely and without finching. The
LEGISLATURE may recklessly ruin the
reputation of an official, by accusing
him of a criminal waste of public
money in ''junketing trips" but when
it strikes at Free Speech, it strikes
against the steel pricks of the Consti-
tution, and the Supreme Court calls a
halt.
Against reckless, unfounded charges
made by the Legislature, or by its COM
mittees, the accused has no means OF
self defense whatever save only as the
Press, acting for the people, stands
before him or by him.
When the Legislature, or one OF It's
committees has seriously, deliberately,
and with an obvious sense of justice
condemned an official, the public will
stand by the Legislature. Even II the
official declares and offers proof of his
Innocence. it may condemn him with
the assent of public opinion.
But an attempt to railroad" man
into infamy without giving him fair
play" cannot and will not be tolerated.
The great source of municipal cor
ruption in the American States. is In
the Public Works Department. 1t Is
the fostering sore on the body polite.
Tt has burdened cities and towns with
heavy debts for which there has been
no equivalent. Poor people are taxed
tn nav these fraudulent debts.
This Department of all needs the
yigilent protection of the Press and
the public. 1t is under the strongest
temptation. as most capable of cover
ing frauds, and is most liable to attack
from the men who want doodle.
An honest Department of this kind Is
a lion in the roadway of scamps.
The Whangdoodle journal refers to
our remarks. in these words: lit is by
no means a wise method to begin at
lacking the evidence of one'side before
decision is come to.
We again repeat that we positively
refuse to discuss or attack any evil
dence. We simply and strictly con
fine our remarks to the intolerable
abuse of the sense of fair play, and OF
common justice in the report made by
a committee, consisting of nearly one
third of the members of the House
which report is a judgment by 1t
that the superintendent is guilty OF
crimes. without giving him due notice
and a hearing. That is our point
Can the WhangdOodle brain take 1t