Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1900-12-22
THE MUNICIPAL ELAv.

says Prof Scott. do not be precipi-
tate" is the urgent plea of Mrs. EamaS
These comments on our proposed mu-
nicipal government for Honolulu come
from sources not TO be sighted and eX-
press thoroughly Independent ideas
Mr.. Scott is probably one Of the best
informed men Of the city on political
economy and the municipal theories.
Mrs. Eames has made thorough study
OF the question as exemplifed In the
western American city.
These opinions as contrasted with
the verdict OF the people expressed a:
the last election calls to mind one of
the old New England stories. One )f
the largest houses Of the village was
to be moved. The road led over high
hill. Following the usual custom all
good citizens turned out to assist in
the work. True to New England char
acteristics every man had his opinion
on how Il should be done. This
finally simmered down to two factions
one considered the house could be
successfully taken to its destination
by the oxen and tackle at hand; the
other that there should be a delay to
obtain more assistance. The optimis.s
went ahead with what force they had
notwithstanding the numerous
predictions OF failure from the other
side. The ascent of the hill was the
crucial period and as the task was APP
preached the excitement increased, the
warnings and urgings more pronounc-
ed.
Yer can't do 1t, yer can't do It,"
cried the opposition leader.
Drive on. drive on" yelled the men
doing the work.
They did drive on. the hill was pass
ed successfully, the work was accom-
plished with the material at hand.
Framing municipal charters is not
work that should be placed in the
hands of on drivers, yet the moral OF
this incident holds good in the leading
question now before Honolulu. There
Is little or no promise that delay will
accomplish the good results predicted
or hoped for by the advocates Of what is
practically lnaction present and III.
ture. The argument for delay finds lite
source In the dread of tackling hard
proposition. Independent local govern
ment is indeed an untried field for tue
-
sion would find as much divergence Of
opinion on what is best" in the de-
tails OF a charter as exists today, The
proof OF the pudding Is the eating an
admitting as all do that independent
municipalities are a foregone conclu-
sion. the people are as well, prepared
for action today as they will be two
years hence.
The appointment of a commission ia
make tour Of investigation Is fraught
with all the dangers of money I'M
properly expended and supreme indlf-
ference as the municipality itself. II is
recognized fact that such commls-
sions In this country are merely ways
and means OF shelving a public ques-
tion at the peoples expense. The Ha'
waiian city is the city with which W
have to deal. None of the municipal
artists OF the Mainland or Europe are
capable OF framing a charter for Ho
nolulu. Their theories are contained
by force but. on tn contrary, attempt
IN books and are readily obtained. II
is the application of theory with when
we have to contend and 1t is possible
to accomplish this task within the time
at legislative disposal provided the peo'
pie will act with honest. forceful ener'
gy.
The Bulletin has no sympathy witt
Mrs. Eames' wholesale condemnation
of the American municipality Her pun
ishment does not fit the crime as found
in the majority OF American cities. The
favorite pastime of many Americans
to hold up the signally corrupt cities M
an exemplification of the incompetence
of our Democracy. This incompetence
a avamnlified I'm n comDaratiyely few