The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1899-08-22
EXPECTING TOO MUCH.

That the executive of the United
states desires to give the Islands as
suitable a form of government as pos
sible is certain. Moreover as this is a
first step outside the continent, there
is a strong desire not to make mistakes
as what is done here is very likely to
be used as a guide in other appenages
of the republic. But there is one thing
that must be we'll kept in mind. In
settling what shall and what shall not
be the government of these Islands, it
is the representative body that has the
say and which will give the final deci-
sion. People who have lived long here
and have become accustomed to Hawai-
ian methods are apt to lose sight of this
fact.
When dealing with our own questions
here the custom has been to deal
through the Cabinet, because the Cabi-
net generally carried the Legislature.
Upon nearly every question the Cabi-
net had a working majority. There
might be an opposition, but when the
voting came upon any important meas
ure, it went the government way.
In the United States there is a true
democratic government. If thing is
not made a party measure every man
thinks for himself and out of the 900
members there are some hundreds who
do not care to think about Hawaii.
They have other things to think about.
Not only do they know nothing about
Hawaii, but they do not even care to
be bothered with information about Ha-
wall. Their interests are centered on
their own state affairs, and anything
outside this they consider a bore. No
amount of explanation is going to reach
| these men, and they are most decidedly
not going to be led by the administra-
ton
But such men thoroughly understand
what a territory is. And if the future
government of the Hawaiian Islands
comes before Congress as a territorial
form of government, pure and simple,
this section of Congress will understand
and probably vote for it. But the dan
ger to our future lies in asking for
peculiar provisions. Say for instance
the restricted franchise. The moment
that is proposed, considerable section
will start like frightened horse. 1t is
an innovation, and innovations are not
wanted.
That there are many men in Congress
who take a personal interest in the ISL
ands is true. That many men are we'll
informed as to the conditions existing
in the Islands is also true. But it is as
great truth that the majority of Con-
gress knows very little about the ISL
ands and cares still less. We have no
business therefore to ask for or expect
special privileges, the privilege of be-
coming a territory of the United States
ought to be quite enough for us.
There are people who look to special
privileges Men who profess to know
! Congress say that special privileges If
asked for will only run up against the
inertia of those who do not care to be
informed, and who would vote against
| innovation on principle.
We must bear in mind that the inter-
ests of 10000 people do not cut much
ice when put alongside the interests of
/ 10000 900, that in the minds of repre-
sentatives of the various states, they
cut very small figure against the state
population. All that we can do is TO
have some one on hand to correct wrong
information should 1t be given out, to
render the remarks of our personal
friends the more accurate or pointed.
If any one goes forward from here with
the idea that he is going to influence
the legislation of the United States
Congress, he is going on a wild goose
chase. The value of a man in Washing
ton is to give accurate information,
when called upon. But no amount of
skill or diplomacy will make Congress
bulge an inch except when it desires.