The Hawaiian gazette., 1899-11-28
A PLAisr yxox hawaii

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Among the plans for the proper u
Of the Treasury surplus we notice be
proposed by "Homesteader." q Gorge
spondent Of the Hiio Tribune Partoi
the communication is - fellowss =
! see by the papers that the 0Vvern-
ment has a big balance Of cash b the
public Treasury that they do not>know
what to do with. II such ID the case,
may ! ask why they do not fulit their
promises and make roads to thetlands
Of the homesteaders? Does this Gov
eminent care more for hOardipg up
money than 1t does for Justice? Is
this Government above the law, and
does II care nothing about its prom
ises? Does 1t care nothing that these
homesteaders are likely to be ruined
for lack OF roads, which the Govern
ment has faithfully promised to make?
Does II care nothing that the prpduce
that has been raised on these Shaae-
steads 10 rOtting In the field because 1t
costs more to get 1t down through the
impossible woods than II is worth, or
the money that can be got for II? :. Ii
there one law for the Government and
another for the poor? We wouloralso
like to know II the Government, while
1t fulfils none Of Its promises, Intends
to hold down the homesteader to the
strict letter Of the contract?
1t is true as "Homesteader" says
that there is a big balance in the pub
lie Treasury which the Government
does not know what to do with, but
this fact In no way implies that the
money can be taken out and spent at
the pleasure Of those who have It in
charge. The funds Of the people are
better guarded than that What is
needed to make them available for
public works is legislative appropria-
ton and 1t is a question that has been
referred to the Government at WASH
ington whether these Islands have a
Legislature which may appropriate or
can have one during this period OF po-
litical transition. Because our adm
term Government Is not "above the
law" or below 1t, public improvements,
such as roads, streets and reservoirs
must wait. We may regret the circum-
stance but 1t cannot be evaded, no
matter how dire the need OF the home
steader In Hawaii or the water-cunsu-
mer in Honolulu.
But II President Mckinley and his
decide that the Hawaiian Leg
islature is still in existence and may
sit and enact laws at the regular time,
we do not doubt that the road making
needs Of all the Islands will have their
pro rata Of the public funds. No one
knows better than Mr.. Dole. for exam
pie. that roads and civilization 60 hand
In hand. He has taken a great inter-
est in road development. particularly
on the Island Of Hawaii. Those Of this
population who. like him. are anxious
to see Hawaii become a white mans
country. speaking Of 1t both as an ISL
and and as group. agree that the
sooner the productive parts are grid
ironed with roads the sooner these ISL
ands will become populous with thrift
ty whites Roads for carts and roads
for locomotives are what we all want
but unfortunately we cannot clear
the way for them by saying Open,
sesame!" either at the Executive
building or In the press. The Govern
ment at Washington must speak first;
the local law-making authority will
then. perhaps. have its turn to be
heard. .H''
Still. "Homesteader's' case Is 4 hard
one. 1t invokes sympathy. the more
so because the Hawaiian Government
undoubtedly promised to open up COM
munication for him and for others who
are situated as he Is on public lands
But events have taken from this Gov
eminent the power to do as 1t pleases.
That Is the stubborn fact which Is real
ly in "Homesteader's" way; but 1t is
one, luckily. which may be soon re-
moved