The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1899-11-02
TERRITORY.


The main aim of our leading men here
should be the securing of the ordinary
territorial form of government. That
the executive branch of the United
States Government is in favor of this
there can be little doubt, and the weight
of executive opinion has a distinct in
fluence, especially in a matter of this
kind which may senators and represen-
tatives still regend as, in measure,
relating to foreign rather than to do
mestic legislation.
The weight of general opinion among
those who give the matter any thought,
and Hawaii does interest quite a num-
Der though far less a number than we
are apt to think, favors the territorial
form of government, and, indeed, it is
considered our just due. Indeed the
suggestion of statehood is made by
some, but it comes from such as are not
we'll posted upon our condition. Those
who are informed favor the territorial
idea, and most of them with an unre-
stricted franchise to all races except
the Asiatic.
opinion are one thing, legislative action
is quite another. 1t is on the floor of
the Senate and of the House of Repre-
sentatives that the political fate of the
Islands will be sealed. In these bodies
there are men well informed upon the
condition here, upon our historical,
commercial, and political status, but
oil y,rl, inc
of these things and who care less.
Some months ago The Star made
statement somewhat similar to this and
was promptly attacked for making it.
The statement was made upon a gen.
eral knowledge of human nature and
upon careful study of the course of
various legislatures. Since then a more
careful study has been made, and the
statement stands.
1t has therefore been wise for the
government here to send forward well
Informed man to Washington to be on
the ground to give information. 1t is
wise for our Chamber of Commerce and
the Planters Association to send for
ward a well informed man to Washing
ton for the same purpose. 1t would be
wise for several of our wealthy men to
proceed to Washington and where op-
portunity serves to help in the cause of
giving information. Such information
is spread al the clubs, at social func-
tions, in private interviews and of
course in the press, but for this specific
object that which is obtained from
word of mouth conversation is far more
likely to have weight than any epheme-
raj article which appears in a daily pa
per
Such men are in no sense lobbyists,
but they are helping the cause of these
Islands, Their presence in Washington
is in no case an insult to the Hawaiian
Commission, because, however well in
formed each member of the commission
may be, there are many things which
they do not know about the Islands,
and which at any moment might be
useful in throwing light upon our prob
lem, The more light there is readily al
hand, the better it will be for us. When
information is wanted it is wanted at
once. 1t is no use having it 5000 miles
away The Dutchman's anchor was
very little use to him when he left it
a home,
Our hope lies in the ordinary terri
torial government. This the men who
know little of Hawaii and care less I'M
derstand and in nine cases out of ten
would vote for Any serious departure
from this line will be bound to arouse