The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1900-02-27

Bill is now ready and will probably be
presented, with the amended bill, to
the House tomorrow.
The debate in the committee room
has been interesting and suggestive.
The sections of the bill were taken up
one by one and discussed. The COM
mittee permitted any person to be
present who had an interest in Hawaii
an affairs. General Hartwell and Mr..
w. y. Smith were constantly called
upon for information regarding Ha-
waiian laws, and were encouraged to
make suggestions at any time Repre-
senting generally the Opposition
were CELSIUS Moreno, r. W. Wilcox, Mr..
Caypless and Mr.. Little.
|, There had developed in the commit
tee debate some partisanship. The
number of the committee is seventeen.
The chairman, Mr.. Knox, desired espe-
cially that the report of the
committee should be unanimous, for
II 1t was it would greatly facilitate ac-
ton in the House. Several of the
Democratic members, acting upon in
formation given by the Opposition, de-
sired to make changes in the bill, and
especially they desired to strike out
the Hawaiian land laws and substitute
the Federal land laws. The ground for
making this change was alleged corrup-
ton of the Hawaiian Executive and Ju-
dietary as forcibly urged by Mr.. Lit
tie. The Republican members, always
anxious to secure a unanimous report,
offered a compromise, which was an
amendment requiring all land transac-
tions to be submitted to the Secretary
of the Interior in Washington. This
amendment was accepted by the Oppo-
sition, but not willingly. 1t had charg-
ed fraud and corruption and it was
forced to accept provision by which
a review in Washington could be had.
Mr.. Smith and General Hartwell urged
that 1t would be greater hardship on
the poor man. If his application for a
piece of land should be opposed, and
the matter carried to Washington. The
rich man would have every advantage,
and 1t would make business for the
lawyers. One of the committee said
it would be great misfortune to Ha-
wall If the land agents of the Federal
Government took hold OF the land in
terests. A further amendment was
made that the Secretary of the Interior
might make rules and regulations re-
curing a review of the action of the
local agents.
The furious attacks of Mr.. Little,
1.-THE representative of the Americans
residing in Hawaii" as he calls him
self, has resulted in an unreserved
adoption of the Hawaiian land system,
but has put upon It the heavy burden
of expensive litigation and delays, ana
uncertainties, which any one can i'm
pose upon poor American who wishes
TO get piece OF Government land. As
one of the committee remarked, Mr..
Little has not changed the Hawaiian
land system, but has with much stupid
ity made II difficult for poor man to
get public land. because any dispute
must be settled In Washington, ana
that is an expensive affair"
1t is quite probable that the final
conference committee may strike out
this provision for review In Wash
ington.
The striking out of all property
qualification in election matters, In
duced the committee to place the ap-
pointment of the Supreme Court Judge
in the hands of the President instead
OF leaving II in the hands of the Gov
ernor and Senate chosen without any
property qualifications.
The provision requiring that the
Governor should be a citizen of the
Territory was unanimously agreed
upon. II was said in the debate that
Hawaii must not be cursed by Carpet
baggers." All OF the Western men