The Independent. [volume] (Honolulu, H.I.) 1895-1905, 1900-06-22
TOPICS OR THE DAY.

We call the attention of DR.. Pratt
OF the Board OF Health, to waste
water running from the Vineyard
Camp to Nuuanu river. 1t may be
out Of his consideration, because,
the party who is drawing rent from
the Camp is an Influential man.
MIR. W. o. Smith in conversation
with a representative of The INDIE
PENDENT this morning stated that
there was no doubt in his mind that
the words in Sec. A Of the Territor-
isl bill to wit:All legislative proceed
ings shall be conducted in the Eng
lish language" mean that no use of
any language except the English
can be permitted in the Legislature.
He thought that au attempt OF Ha
waiians who do not speak or under.
stand English to run for the Legis-
lature would be absurd. Mr.. Smith
regretted to certain extent that
the provision in regard to the use of
English language had been extend.
ed to embracing members Of juries.
He claimed-and we fully agree
with Mr.. Smith-that especially in
the country districts there is excel
lent material among the elder gen.
GRAFTON Of the Hawaiians for an
honest and true jury. Many of the
good, old, sensible and honorable
Hawaiiaus can not understand Eng.
lish and will consequently be barred
as jurymen. Mr.. w. o. Smith was
in Washington during the debate on
and passage Of the Hawaiian bill
and he certainly understands the
intent of the law when hs says that
the English language is now. para.
mount here, and as far as Legisla-
lures are concerned the interpreter
is thing of the past. The views OF
Mr.. Smith in this matter are sup.
ported by all members OF Bar and
Bench and we hope that the ambi.
tions Hawsiinns who want to be
elected Sin spite" Of the provision,
OF the territorial bill will take q
tumble and bel satisfied with being
the men with the pull.
The Advertiser depiores the la1itJ
of the law which will permit lepers
4 to vote. We agreemwith our con
temporary when it advocates thu
DISTINGUISHING of criminals, idiots
lunatics, etc., but We do draw tn
line at the lepers. The inmates o
Kalaupapa may be called wards o
the nation, but as a matter OF fac
there are many who exist on thei
own resources and who are simpl.
there because the government ha
compelled them to live in seclusion
There may be millionaires who vii
be shut up at Kalaupapa, we know
OF near relations OF millionaires VIII
were sent there, and we see n
reason why the terrible misfortune
OF these men should be a cause t.
disfranchise them. There are anon
, them a son OF one the most honore
cabinet ministers of the Hawaiia
government, man full of intelll
gence and energy, who takes dee
j., interest in his country and who is in
r terested in financial enterprises
/ WHY should he not vote. He ia
8 done nothing which disgraces hin
: He has been inflicted with disea'
. which under existing laws made
b necessary for him to leave hom
friends and all that was dear to hin
But why, in the name OF Jnstlo
% should he not have voice in publ
> affairs which concern him more pc
b baps than it does the Advertise
). cliauej Let sleeping dogs alon
! and stop these idiotio threats
4 what Congress may do. We ha'
{. no objection to an amendme'
NJ which will prevent criminals an
y. idiots from voting, but If the lepe
:J oftho franohiga lat tl