Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1899-12-22
HAWAII BEFORE CONGRESS-.

TO the people of Hawaii who are
honest in the hope of these Islands
circle of American territorial govern
ment, Special Agent Hartwelrs letter
to his employer. MIR. Dole, is decidedly
reassuring. Hartwell brings up the old
sugar trust bugbear to show. we sup
pose. that the terrible odds against
which he is struggling are created
solely by certain American financial
interests. IIartwell has been known
to do this before in the days of the
reciprocity struggle. We have yet to
be convinced, however, that the sugar
trust controls any considerable por7
tion of the United States Congress or
that 1t can force a delay in the con-
sideration of Hawaii when the meas
ures of broad national Importance have
been enacted.
Hartwell is a natural pessimist any
way, but in going over his review we
find that opposition is promised those
portions Of the Hawaiian bill for which
the majority of Hawaii's people have
sought Congressional opposition. We
believe also that the American men,
bers Of the Commission will be found
ready to grant the demands of what
Hartwell terms opposition of politi-
clans.
One of the first matters referred to is
our public land laws. Hawaii will not
weep over the loss Of the present land
laws of the Republic" Next, he
says the proposition of giving Supreme
Court Judges life tenure Of Office is put
down by the politicians" as 'un-
American 1t is un-American and =.
Hawaii's best interests are considered,
it is to be sincerely hoped that the
men Hartwell dubs politicians constI-
tute an overwhelming majority.
Again, great opposition will be
made" to property qualifications OF
voters for Senators. This Is good news
for Hawaii since the hope Of the people
is that this great opposition will de-
yelop greater opposition to the extent
of wiping out all property qualifica-
tions for voters.
Taking the report by and large Hart
well has discovered that the cherished
theories Of local officials for "holding
hn nj Oh \, AL
official power are likely to go up the
spout and disappear into thin air
early In the Hawaiian discussion. Fur
thermore It shows that very little op-
position will be offered the territorial
bill after the un-American features
proposed by local officials have been
eliminated II the local Executive
can, for once. forego selfish interests
in behalf of the general welfare of the
people of Hawaii. Mr.. Dole will very
promptly instruct his personal repre-
sentative to withhold from the advo-
cacy of those portions Of the bill which
American Senators and Representa-
sA'SS "AiA ioiSioiy oppooc. WutH SOu-
gressmen of the United States, irres-
pective of party, place the "un-Ameri-
can" stamp upon detail or details OF
territorial law 1t will be useless for
Mr.. Dole to inaugurate campaign of
education. particularly when repre-
sented by man with Hartwell's re-
markable record for "Americanism."
1t Is apparent that the course of a
thoroughly American territorial bill
is comparatively clear, and the only
real danger is the opposition that may
be offered by the local Executives de-
mand for the fulfilment of its desire
for special exceptions. II the Congress
of the United States considers Hawaii
worthy Of an American government
these exceptions urged into the bill by
Mr.. Dole President of the Republic
and Mr.. Frear. Of the Supreme bench,
will never be granted. Continued con-
tention for these specialties will be
favorable only to the continuation OF
the present chaos and assistance TO