New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-12-07
PROPOSITIONS FOR HAWAII.
BILLS AND REPORTS OF THE COMMITS
SION SENT TO CONGRESS.
CITIZENSHIP IN THE TERRITORY. IT'S OFFICIALS
AND LAWS - THE PLAN NOT TO BE Rh-
GARpED AS 4 PRECEDENT FOR PORTO


RICO AND THE PHILIPPINES
Washington. Dec. G-The President to-day
transmitted TO Congress the report oil the Ma
waiian OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES of Senators Gull
lom and Morgan. Representative HIT President
Dole and Justice Frear. Of Hawaii-together win
the text of bills drawn Ivy the Commission lot
The government Of the islands as part OF the
United States The Commissioners take pains I"
express their united opinion that the plan out
lined for the government of Hawaii cannot he re-
garded as a precedent for Porto Rico and the
Philippines. They say on this point:
Much has been said TO the effect that the pol
icv or scheme OF government for the Hawaiian
Islands will be taken and accepted an index
or precedent TO be followed In the plan or gov
eminent for Porto Rico and the Philippines. In
view Of this apparent expectation or peiiel OF,
the part OF many good people in the uniten
States the Commission deems it proper to say
that the people Of Hawaii are capable OF sell
government and have proven tins by the estap-
lishment OF the Republic OF HaWah ana the
adoption of a constitution and code or laws
which Will compare favorably with those OF any
other government, and under such legislation
and laws have maintained stable Government
for several years worthy OF free people. IN"
people of these islands more or less familiar
with the institutions and laws OF the United
States while the laws OF the little republic are
largely taken from the laws OF this country. 1t
cannot he said that either the Porto Rcans or the
Fpnos are at all familiar with our system or
government. or with any other based on the
principles OF liberty. The underlying theory or
our Government is the right of sef-goVernment,
and a people must be fitted for sef-government
before they can be trusted with the RESPONSE
bilities and duties attaching to free government
These remarks are made TO negative the idet
that because the people of the Hawaiian ISL
ands can in the judgment Of the Commission,
he consistently given self-government to an ex-
tent almost equal to that given the people in
Ia fol- inf
insular possessions which the United States has
or may acquire by the treaty with Spain can be
granted equal freedom in government
MR. DOLE DIssENTS on ONE POINT.
The report is unanimous except on one point
en- which Mr.. Dole makes a minority recon-
mendation This recommendation Is for board
Of advisers to the Governor Of the Territory. and
he recommends that the Treasurer. Attorney
General. Superintendent Of Public Works and
Commissioner Of Public Lands shall he made
special counsellors OF the Governor, to be con-
suited by him concerning all matters Of public
policy. Mr. Dole gives as his reason for his
recommendation the fear that without some such
provision the Governor may arrogate TO himself
greater power than is contemplated. He says:
While with some slight misgivings | have
scented to The provisions of 'the majority report
which place the executive power OF the Territory
in the hands or one ln0lVldual ana 90 away WIN
the Executive Council am unable to accept
those which confer upon the Governor the ap-
pontment Of all subordinate officers. and which.
while giving him the appointment Of heads of
departments with the approval Of the Senate,
permit him TO remove them without such ap-
proval. a power not enjoyed by the President Of
the United states. Nor can | agree to the alb
sence Of any provisions whatever limiting or
checking the Governors executive power under
the laws excepting as 10 the approval of the
Senate required in certain appointments.
The weight of these objections will he better
understood in view Of the recommendations or
the Commissioners that the Legislature shall
hold regular sessions but once in two years as
heretofore. which circumstance would furnish
the Governor with the opportunity. If he should
choose to seize it, Of removing any or all heads
Of departments Immediately after the termi
nation of the regular session OF the Legislature
and filling their places with persons whose com
missions would be valid until the end of the
next session If the Senate. which might not
occur for nearly two Years BY this means Il
Governor, acting within his authority. could
substantially evade the provisions requiring
these appointments to be approved by the Sen
ate The performances Of like character under
the monarchy are too fresh in the minds Of the
Hawaiian community TO permit them 70 con-
template without d!smay the possibility OF
repetition thereof
The Governor under the provisions of the act
recommended by the Commission, will have less
check to his administration of affairs than was
the with the sovereigns under the mon
archy. excepting only in the matter Of tenure OF
Office.
The majority in their report express the opin-
ion 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"
Three bills are presented for the consider
alton Of Congress The first and principal one
outlines a general plan of government and the
other two deal with subordinate questions. OF
the principal bill the Commissioners express the
opinion that II will prove such a measure FOR
the government of the Hawaiian Islands as will
best promote the interests of their people at
the same time that 1t promotes the interests and
maintains the sovereignty Of the people Of the
United States
THE TERRITORIAL OFFICIALS
1t provides for the erection Of the islands into
"A Territory of the United States to be styled
the Territory Of Hawaii. The bill contains pro-
visions for the government of the Territory, CIV
ing it executive legislative and judicial officers
A Governor. Secretary Of the Territory. United
States District Judge, United States District
Attorney and a United States Marshal are to be
appointed by the President, and internal
revenue district and customs district
ated The Offices Of President Minister Of For
cgn Affairs. Finance. Public instruction. Audi
tor General. Deputy Auditor-General. Surveyor,
General and Marshal abolished The officers
of the Territory under the new regime are
Attorney General. with similar powers and
duties to those now possessed by the Attorney
General Of the Republic Of Hawaii with few
exceptions Treasurer. with similar powers and
duties TO the present Minister Of Finance. and
such powers and duties regarding licenses
corporations and companies and partnerships
and registration Of prints. labels and trade
marks as are now possessed by tho Minister Of