The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-10-16
A Singular Delegate.

The Honolulu newspapers have reported,
with various emotions, the appointment by
president DoLE.of Mr.. ALFRED s. HART
WELL to represent the Hawaiian anomaly
at Washington.
The exact status OF Mr.. DoLE's represent
tative at Washington is somewhat difficult
to define. His title, as announced at Homo
lulu, Ia that OF Unofficial Territorial Dele
gate" Yet he is officially appointed; and
his salary and expenses are to be paid out
OF the Hawaiian treasury, from moneys in
part collected as customs duties on goods
shipped from ports Of tho United States to
another port Of the United States.
He cannot be regarded as q diplomatic
functonary in any sense for the late Re-
public Of Hawaii has ceasedto exist.
II we consider him as commissioner per-
sonaly representing president" DOLE
and the Dole Administration. the singular
ity OF the performance is not less apparent;
for Mr.. DOLE himself merely represents in
Hawaii the authority OF President Mo-
KINLEY pending the establishment by Con-
gress OF permanent form OF Government
for the islands, and it is absurd for the rep
resentative OF delegated authority to send
q delegate on his part back to represent him
at tho source OF power.
Furthermore it Is understood at Homo
lulu that Mr.. HARTwELL's mission is rather
to the Legislative than to the Executive
branch OF the Federal Government. His
title OF Unofficial Territorial Delegate
confirms this view OF the matter.
Tho organized Territories. although not
entitled to Representatives in Con-
L., .l,
Delegates who have seats in the House,
with the right to debate, but not to vote.
But such Delegates are chosen by tbs
ballots OF the people OF the Territories
sending them, while Mr.. DoLE's Delegate Is
not elected by the people Of Hawaii but
appointed by Mr.. DOLE with the concur
renee Of a majority OF his Cabinet"
In order to avoid headache in figuring
out the status of Delegate" HARTwELL
at Washington, twill be safest, perhaps to
assume that he Ia a Paramount, sent out OF
the political chaos in Hawaii, by those who
are interested in maintaining chaos, to
lobby against any legislation threatening
the continuance Of that chaos.
We regret to add that whatever doubt
there may be about the nature OF Mr..
HARTwELLs proposed functions at WASH
ington, there is not the slightest doubt
about the unfortunate character OF the
selection Of this particular person. Mr..
HARTwELL was one Of the most prominent
individuals in the cowardly and self
ish clique who plotted just before
DKwEy's victory at Manila, to COM
nit the Hawaiian Government to a
declaration Of neutrality as between the
United States and Spain. II he could have
had his way at Honolulu. early in May Of
1898, he would either have deprived us OF
the inestimable advantage OF using Homo
lulu as station in our military and naval
operations against the enemy. or have
brought us into conflict with France, or
Germany, or Japan, or some other power.
and thus changed. perhaps, all subsequent
history.
That is the indisputable record Of Mr..
DoLEs Unofficial Delegate" to the Gov
eminent at Washington. No wonder the
Evening Bulletin Of Honolulu asks, in
amazement and disgust. what has Hawaii
done that it should be represented before
Congress- by a counsellor Of this type?"