The Hawaiian gazette., 1900-09-04
CUS1Ll lNNOVATION.

The HIIo III. bune discusses the muni-
cipai idea from the usual Hilo stand
point which lie that Hoi olulu wants the
resent system of centralized govern-
ment to continue so that she may use
IN the greater / art Of tne Island reven-
ues In providing public utilities for her
self. .. ~. -,,
The statement is Gar from just. In
the first place, II Honolulu were set
apart from the rest of the group in the
political subdivision OF a city. she
would be able without let or hindrance.
to consume nearly one-haif tie taxes
which. under the present government,
are paid by all the Islands. OF total
amount of 81. O6s. 117.27 raised In 1893 ex-
elusive of custom house and postal re-
ce.pts. Honolulu paid nearly half mil
lion dollars, TO wit: siS6.S6l.32. This
sum would answer very well Tor the
pressing public needs of 1900, but where
would Hilo get off when last years
total contribution in taxes OF tie Dig
island of Hawaii was only S4S2,S55.ls!
How far would that amount g.. II fair
~ distributed over the Island, towards
meeting the expensive wants winch the
Rainy city has conjured up? And sup
pose there were County and CITY oii-
Gals to pay out of it--what then?
we must remind the Tribune that
considerable class Of voters here, FAR
from thinking that Honolulu prJhts by
the present system, vans TO cut Hlo
off so that no Legislature can intervene
and tax this city for fiilo improve
ments. The coming Legislature, having
the whole thing in its hands, may give
Hilo the lions share of the atproprla-
tions. In that case Honolulu might
have to stand by and see part of Its
half million go to the other end or the
Island group, as has been the case IN
the past. This feeling prevails In many
quarters and 1t Is acoentuated among
those who desire to handle city and
County patronage. Even people who'
like the Advertiser, oppose the munich
pal idea, might well favor separation
on the ground that Honolulu could
make more by it. were they not morally
sure that the cost Of two more sets oi
governing officials in each subdivided
locality would be so great as to finally
plunge tie Islands into as deep debt
as the organic law will permit 1t to
incur.
A million dollars does not so far
when politicians get after Il and OF
all devices to undermine public treas
uries the municipal jimmy Is the surest.
1t Is in cities that the steals are made;
1t Is there that the demand for reform
is most incessant and the thievery or
job chasers the most open and defiant.
We could not sustain Territorial. Coun-
ty and City governmental systems on
the revenue we now have. The thing
would be impossible. 1t Is even doubt
full that we can keep UP the Territorial
end with such a sum. Hence swollen
taxes must follow any change from the
present system-and for what?
Hilo explains that 1t is that she may
get the use of her own money. Is there
not an easier and a better way 10 reach
such a result? No one in Honolulu
would object to an agreement upon
Legislative appropriation for Hilo prof.
ecls embracing a sum equal TO the tax
contribution OF that place for the cur
rent year. 1t would be vastly cheaper
to do that than to erect two superiiu-
Gus forms Of government In the Islands.
though we believe that Hiio, after
years experience with the plan. would
prefer to take chances with the general
pot.