The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-12-07

cannot be regarded as a precedent for
Porto Rico and the Philippines, saying
on this point:
Much has been said to the effect that
the policy OF the scheme for the gov
ernment OF the Hawaiian islands would
be taken and accepted as an index or
precedent to be followed in the plan of
government for Porto Rico and the
Philippines. In view of this apparent
expectation or belief on the part Of
many good people in the United
states, the commission deems II proper
to state that the people of Hawai- are
capable of self government. and have
proven this by the establishment of the
republic of Hawaii and the. adoption
OF constitution and code of laws,
which will compare favorably with
those of any other government and un-
der such constitution and laws have
maintained a stable government for
several years worthy of a free people.
The people of these islands are more or
less familiar with the institutions ard
laws of the United States. while the
laws of the little republic are largely
taken from the laws of this country.
II cannot be said that either the.Porto
Ricans or the Finpinos are at an ia
miliar with our system of government
or with any other based on the princi-
Piles of liberty. The underlying theory
government. and a people must be fit-
ted for seif-government before they can
be trusted with the responsibilities and
duties attaching to free government
These remarks are made to negative
the idea that. because the people OF the
Hawaiian islands can, in the Judgment
of the commission. be consistently Civ
en- self-government to an extent almost
equal to that given the people in the
states. 1t can be safely inferred that
other insular possessions which the
United States has or may acquire by
treaty with Spain. can be granted equal
freedom in government"
The report Is unai iimous except on
one point, on which President Dole
makes minority recommendation.
This recommendation is for a hoard OF
tory, and he recommends that the
treasurer, attorney general. superin-
tendent of public works and commits
sioner of public lands shall be consti-
tuted special counsellors of the COVER
nor to be consulted by him concerning
all matters of public policy. Mr.. Dole
gives as his reason for this recommen-
dation the fear that without some such
provision the governor may arrogate to
himself greater power than is contem-
plated. Outlining his reasons for this
position, he says:
while, with some misgivings, 7 have
assented to the provisions of the ma
jority report. which places the exscu-
tive power in the hands of one individ-
ual and does away with the executive
council. / am unable to accept those
which confer upon the governor the ap-
pointment of all subordinate officers
and which, while giving him the ap-
pointment of heads of departments with
the approval OF the senate. permit him
to remove them without such approval
a power not enjoyed by the president Of
the United States. Nor can / agree to
the absence of any provision whatever
checking the governors executive pow
er under the laws, excepting as TO the
approval of the senate required in GER
tain appointments.
THE weight of the objections will be
better understood in view of the rec
ommendation Of the commissioners that
the legislature shall hold regular ses-
sions but once in two years, as here
tofore. which circumstance would fur
n'sh the governor with the opportunity.
If he should choose to seize IL. OF re-
moving any or all heads of depart
ments Immediately after the termina-
tion of the regular session of the legis-
lature and filling their places with per-
sons whose positions would be valid un-
til the next session of the senate.
which might not occur for nearly two
years. BY this means a governor act
ing within his authority. could sub
stantially evade the provision requiring
these appointments to be approved by
the senate. The performances of like
character under the monarchy are too
fresh in the minds of the Hawaiian
community to permit them to contem-
plate without dsmay the possibility of
a repetition thereof.
The governor. under the provisions
of the acts recommended by the COM
mission, will have less check TO his ad-
ministrat'on of affairs than was the
case with the soverelgns under the
monarchy excepting only in the mat
ter of tenure of office"
The majority lin their report, express
the opinion that the precaution is not
necessary. saying that the history OF
the territories of the United States.
covering many years of experience, has
not. in the opinion of the commission.
shown a necessity for the creation of
any number of advisers"
OF the other two bills, one relates TO
Hawaiian silver and the treasury
notes and the other postal savings
banks in Hawaii. The first provides
that unmutilated Hawaiian silver coins
shall be received at par value i'm pay
ment of all duties to the government OF
tnt ttItltOfy oI hawaii Oh tnt
United States and shall not again he
issued. but shall. on presentation in
sums of $500 to either government, be
purchased and recoined as bullion at
the United States mint at San Fran
cisco. All Hawaiian silver certificates
are to be redeemed by the territory OF
Hawaii on or before Jan. I, 1902.
The other is a bill which repeals the
Hawaiian laws establishing savings
banks. and directs the secretary of the
treasury to pay the amounts on deposit
in the postal savings banks in Hawaii
to the persons entitled thereto, termIn-
ating the interest on all deposits on
the LIST Of July, 1899. and forbidding
further deposits after that date.
The report contains an inventory OF
the public property OF the republic
which now inures to the United States,
which is Of an estimated value OF Sl0.-
AIS. $40. distributed as follows: Govern
ment public lands. N.14I. 200: govern
ment lots. sites, etc. sl.isl 500: depart
menf prODarty 81 80 240