The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1898-08-31
on GOOD CITIZENSHIP.

ON GOOD CITIZENSHIP.
George a. Davis asked permission
to address the Commission, represent
ing he said, in response to a question
by Senator Cullom. good citizenship.
In the first place he thought Honolu-
In ought to have local self govern
ment. He thought that there
ought to be a municipal government
with for instance a mayor and board
of say seven aldermen, five to be
elected from wards and two at large.
The mayor should have large veto
powers. \ municipal government was
just as appropriate for Honolulu as
for Boston.
AS to the municipal suffrage he
thought it ought to be extended to
the natives. They had formerly had
the franchise. but under the republic
they had not had it to any great eX-
tent. Nor had it been possible for
white persons like himself. American
citizens, to get it. These statements
led to the question by Senator Nor
gan as to why the speaker could not
gain the franchise and why the ma
tives did not have it. Mr.. Davis re.
piled that under the constitution OF
the Republic only those foreigners
who had rendered special service &c
the government could become natur.
allied. This provision he said served
the purpose of time; but ought to be
abolished now. AS to the natives, they
had not exercised the franchise &c
any extent because they had conscien
tious objections to taking the oath OF
allegiance to the Republic. But con
ditions had changed. The monarchy
was gone forever. No sane man who
had watched the course of event,
could for an instant believe there wa,
now any hope of the restoration OF
| the monarchy.
"Then there must be a good many
insane men where we have BEEN" In
| terrupted Senator Morgan.
ut is not now question of monar
chy or republicanism, continued Mr.
Davis. "The natives had the franchis,
under the monarchy; they were eligi
BILE to have it under the republic. Con
scientious scruples kept many o
them from qualifying under the Re
public. But now conditions have re
moved all chance for those scruples.
"Iou would give them vou,
whether they are Royalists still o.
not?" asked Senator Morgan.
Mr.. Davis in response to questions
by the Commission said he was in fla
vor of an income qualification, say o
$500 a year, and the ability to reaC
and right as a requirement for vot
ing.
On the subject of the courts h,
wanted the judges appointed, and al
appeal to the United States supreme
court in cases of the severe felonies
In all cases of felony, he thought tria
should be had only on indictment by
| grand jury and conviction upon tn,
unanimous verdict of twelve men. Ii
civil cases and in misdemeanors h,
thought majority verdict sufficient
The present bankruptcy law he alst
! thought unjust and one that ought u
be abolished.
George u. Gear, in opposition to tn,
preceding speaker, favored the cleo
ton of judges by popular vote. HI
i believed selection in this way would
| give judges freer from unwholesom,
influence than in any other way. HI
also favored the present system o
courts, with the supreme court having
strictly appellate jurisdiction, and TIL
circuit courts with practically thei
present jurisdiction. He was partic
ularly opposed to a system of court
in which some of the same men sa
both in the trial and the appellate
court, as was the case in the fedora
! courts of the territories.
This ended the open session of tn,
Commission, and the members imme
diately went into executive session.