The Hawaiian gazette., 1900-03-02
ACTION URGED
Letter Of W. O. Smith to
u. S. Representative
Damage Done by PIague--ThOusands
Driven From Their Homes
Destruction Of Property.

The following letter from Mr. w. o.
Smith TO a member of the House of
Representatives. concerning the situa-
ton of the Islands, was published In
the Washington Star of the l6th inst.
Mr.. William o. Smith, representative
of the chamber OF commerce OF Ha-
wall. has addressed the following let
ter concerning the situation In the ISL
ands to a member of the House of Rep
resentatives:
THE following is brief statement in
regard to the bubonic plague in Ha-
wall, and reasons why early action
should be taken by Congress. The
plague appeared in Honolulu in Deem
Der last A strict quarantine was soon
established, but the pestilenoe got be-
yond CONT oil of the board Of health and
broke out in different parts of the city.
A considerable area in the central part
of the city was thickly populated with
native Hawaiians, Chinese and Jap
anese. This part was without any sys-
tenn of sewerage and could not be kept
under the circumstances, IN a desirable
sanitary condition. But II was be-
lieved that In this part the disease
could not be eradlcated unless radical
measures were taken.
Accordingly, buildings close together
and covering about forty acres, of
ground have been burned by the board
or health. The value of these buildings
and their contents has not been care
fully estimated, but the total loss can
not be much less than 100000.
Driven From Their Homes.
1.-THE number of people driven from
their homes and who are now living
in temporary barracks and in make
shift places is about 5000. The popula-
ton OF the entire group of islands, by
the census OF 1896, Is 10000. There
fore about per cent of the people are
homeless and without household goods.
If a similar calamity visited the United
States today, with similar results, there
would be suddenly thrown out of their
homes, and largely out of employment,
nearly five millions of persons. These
would have to be sheltered, fed, cloth
ed and provided with work by the gov
eminent, which in the interests of the
public had, by its supreme power, caus-
ed this destruction of property.
article 81, section 6, of the constitu-
tiOIl VI ali DIONlucS tudl Tue
time intervening between the sessions
of the Legislature the council of state
may appropriate public money In great
emergencies. This has been done. But
aside from the question of great emer-
gencies, there are many serious ana
most embarrassing questions which
should at once be met by legislative
measures. Shall the old and narrow
streets of the burned district be retain
ed? Ought not laws to be passed OMEN
ing wider streets, defining the methods
of building and establishing a sanitary
system? If land for new streets should
be taken 1t must be condemned by law,
and there is no existing law for that
purpose.
Compensation for Property.
THE thousands of persons living in
the burned district are largely of the
poorer classes, and must have compen-
sation at once for their destroyed D. OPP
erty, or they will continue to suffer.
Whenever the plague is stamped out
questions will arise at once regarding
the extent of the right to use public
moneys Nothing will be done toward
rebuilding this comparatively large
tract of forty acres until a law is passed
directing the wayain which it must be
done.
Estimates made of the entire loss of
property, owing to the necessary burn
ings of buildings, and of the legal
claims upon the government by reason
of this action. place the amount at
about 81 100000, or about $40 per capita
of the entire population. The same
claim, for losses in like proportion,
made upon the government OF the
United States involving a charge of $40
per capita would reach s700.000.O00.
"a loss of even $50, 100000 for which
the United States was responsible
would undoubtedly Justify the calling
of an immediate session OF Congress,
and the immediate enactment of legls-
latlon to meet ,-e emergency.
ITO delay the passage Of the bill
creating the territory of Hawaii simply
intensifies the sufferings of the 5000
homeless people. and casts upon the
local government and community an
intolerable burden and emharr- ssment.
"No loans can be lawfully made to
liuuidate the many claims arising after
the pestilence is stamped. because there
Is no legislative mower to authorize II.
The council of state has no power tn do
II. Private charity cannot undertake
II In Hawaii anv more than II con In the
limited States. n the loss was s7n0 000.
000 mr. even one-tenth ~ that amount
"Thn territory OF Hawaii small as IL
Is. must stqeger under THE heavv load
of obligations even WITH legislative aid
put to leave n without legislative
mower is m inflct rnon II injustice and
incalculable sufferlngs."