Arizona republican., 1899-11-23
Minister DamOn'S Resignation is
Not Accepted.
WHY IT WAS FIRST OFFERED
Refused by the president-Hffairs
in fhe Island Nat In a Ssiisfsc-
tory Sfafe-OfficiaIs Threafe n
Ing TO Desert Their posfs-Cen-
difions In Hawaii Demand Re-
medal Legislation.

Washington, Nov. 22.-The president
has refused to accept the resignation
of Mr.. Damon, the Hawaiian minister
of finance, and that official will re-
main in office. at least until such time
as congress provides for a different
waiian islands
Mr.. Damon's resignation was ten
dered while he was in Italy seeking to
secure the emigration to Hawaii OF
Italian laborers. who were wanted on
the plantations on the islands. This
pursuit was in the interest of an or
ganization of planters and capitalists,
and it was thought to be scarcely fit
ting that the minister of finance
should engage in such outside matters.
those conditions. but as Mr.. Damon
has since terminated the connection
between himself and the organization
referred to, the reason for its accep-
tance at once disappeared and he will
continue in office.
That is only one of many recent hap
penings that has served to strengthen
the president in the belief that the
not be continued much longer without
results disastrous to the material in
terests of the islands. There have also
been complications in connection with
the disposition of the crown lands, and
altogether it is deemed necessary that
congress proceed at once upon reas-
sembling to deal with the problem of
supplying a permanent form of gov
ernment for the islands to replace the
present nondescript institution.
One consideration alone that is re-
garded as sufficient in weight to de-
mand the most earnest consideration
and at the earliest possible moment,
too, is the indefinite status of the Ha-
waiian judiciary. In ordinary cases
involving only property or even i'm
prisonment this would be a matter of
gravity, but when, as has happened re-
Gently, human life is involved. it is
warrant reckless persistency in the
present course. The difficulty in these
cases lies in a radical difference be-
tween the Hawiian and the United
States laws, and although Hawaii has
been by act of congress declared a part
of the United States, yet the jurisdic
tion of the United States supreme court
over the islands has been denied.
The status of the officials on the is
lands is also uncomfortably indefinite,
even where those officers are connected
directly with the local government
The latter officials owe a divided al
legiance to President Mckinley and to
President Dole which is not regarded
as sound practice. In the case of the
United States officials Mr.. Sewall, for
merly United States minister to Ha-
wall, is now rated as special agent
of the state department, in order to
carry him along until congress other
wise provides. But it is doubtful if Mr..
Sewall himself has a clear conception
of his functions. Certain it is that
there has been more or less conflict OF
Jurisdiction between himself and Mr.
Haywood, who is still ranked as con-
sui general of the United States, an
anomalous office in view of the fact
of annexation.
In his case there is said to be the
necessity of continuing his office, be-
cause under Dresent conditions there is
no other way to regulate the extensive
trade between the islands and the Pa
cific coast. Some one must issue pa
pers to ships and certify to CONNER
ciaI papers until the United States
tariff system goes into effect in Hawai-
and treasury officials replace the ex-
listing force of local officials.
The immigration question has also
been a source of trouble, and until our
own laws are applied in their entirety,
there is at all times danger of compi-
cations with foreign powers resulting
from the application of the local laws.
All of these considerations have had
their effect not only upon our own ad-
ministration, but also upon the Official
class in Hawaii, and the latter, weary
ing of the frequent points of contact
with the superior forces in America,
have, like Mr. Damon, been at frequent
intervals since annexation on the verge
of resignation.
ARIZONA POSTMASTERS.