Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-06-26
HAWAIIAN ELECTION
President Mckinley Directs That the Old
Legislature Continue
Interesting News From Honolulu
Public at This End of the Line.

1t appears from the Honolulu newspapers
which arrived in this city today that Presi-
dent Mckinley over a month ago directed
that the legislative election in Hawaii be
not held next September, according to
schedule The order to this effect was sign
ed May Ii, and Immediately forwarded to
HAWAII, where 1t was promulgated on the
I'd of the present month.
The Presidents order reads as follows:
I'm the exercise of the power conferred
upon him by the joint resolution OF Con-
gress approved by the President on July Z,
1898, entitled Joint Resolution to Provide
for AnneXing the Hawaiian Islands to the
United States the President of the United
States hereby directs that the general cleo
ton provided for by the constitution OF the
republic of Hawaii to be held on the last
wednesday in September next shall not pc
held. All elective officers whose terms or
office shall expire before appropriate legls-
lation shall have been enacted by the Con-
gress of the United States. shall be con-
tinued in their offices at the pleasure OF the
President of the United states. .,
According to the Honolulu commercial
Advertiser a confidential note accompanied
the official document the substance of
which was in effect that probably the Ha-
waiian enabling act would become a law
before the time for the next session OF the
island legislature The Commercial AdVef-
tiser continues in Its explanation:
President Dole believes that this IS botn
the understanding and intent or purpose OF
President Mckinley, who has from the hfSt
shown q keen personal interest IN aIIalFS
Hawaiian. In the note with the proclama-
ton there is a reference to the money saw
ing that will be made by the avoidance OF
an election. Congress convenes in Decem-
Der next. February, 1900. Is the time Tor
the gathering of the legislature here again.
and 1t is the 1890 legislature that would
elect a successor to Mr.. Dole. 1t is taken
by Mr.. Dole that in case of a vacancy IN
the present membership of the Legislature
it would be necessary to have an appoint
ment made from Washington. Mr.. Dole
says he expects the legislature that sat IN
1898 will meet again at the proper time IN
February next, unless the enabling act Is
passed by Congress at Washington in the
meantime. 1t Is assumed that the func-
tons of the legislature would in no way
be impaired. Its most important work,
aside from the election of a president,
would be to make the required appropria-
tons for the ensuing biennial period.
I'm case of great emergency the council
of state might be used to secure money
for current expenses, but it could not au-
thorize a loan. The members of the Ha-
waiian commission believe that the en-
abling act will be passed early in the con-
gressional session that is to open in Decem-
Der. However,. there are other men who
have visited Washington recently who
think that it may be one of the last things
to receive attention during the long ses-
sion At thu next session Congress Will
have about as much business at hand as
the body has ever faced at any time. Mr..
Dole says that the idea of doing away with
the election here originated in Washington.
The government here had followed the
policy of proceeding with administration
under the laws and the Newlands resoiu-
ton, and had called the election as a mat
ter of course While the proclamation
comes somewhat in the nature of sur
prise, it's provisions are entirely acceptable
to the local government, and there will be
no inconvenience or complication unless
the passage of the enabling act is delayed
beyond February.n
1T did not take very long for news of
the receipt of the proclamation and the
verdict of the cabinet upon it to get down
town. The comment was quite general,
but the interest was not at all deep This
community lis now so busy with business
that it cares for little else, and a number
of men who have done much for the po-
1itical advancement of the country remark
would be no election. as there was no cry
ing need for the joys of a campaign with
out issues and only for the choosing OF
legislature that might never sit
In consequence of this change of plan or
ders were Immediately issued in Honolulu
for the boards of registration to cease the
registration of voters, which had been be-
gun in anticipation of the election.
The annexation resolution provides as
follows:
Until Congress shall provide for the
government of the islands, all the civil,
judicial and military powers exercised by
the officers of the existing government IN
or persons as the President of the United
States shall direct; and the President shall
have power to remove said ofncerS and TO
fill vacancies so occaSioned.