The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1900-01-08
AN OUNCE OF I1rsr1CE-


When there comes a breathing spell
some decided policy must be formulated
with regard to the Chinese and Japan
csc whose means of living have been
taken from them. Our measures have
had to be drastic, but because they
have been so it is no use doing acts of
injustice, and so complicating the situa-
ton still further. The richer Chinese
can and probably will seek their remedy
through the courts. But it is the poorer
class that something should be done for
We know that the slums of the in
fected district We're indescribably filthy,
but should we put all the blame upon
the inhabitants. Is there not some be-
longing to others of the community.
The landlords have been willing to
lease these shacks at high rents, know
ing full we'll the condition of their prop
erty. They cannot deny it, because the
fact is there, they have been repeat
edly called down for maintaining such
property.
Has the Board of Health done it's
duty in the past? We we'll know that
it has not. 1t has calmly allowed the
filth to accumulate, and now some
members shelter themselves under a
plea that had they acted with any de-
cision in the past, the public would have
deemed them crazy. AS a fact they were
constantly being reminded of their duty,
urged to do it. Considerable pains were
taken to show statistically the condi-
ton of the city.
Has the Bureau of Public Works done
its duty? It is more than doubtful. Per-
mits have certainly been allowed for
buildings to be put up on unsanitary
ground, and not proper supervision has
been used during their erection. The
present infected district has been left
to itself, neither landlords, Board of
Health or Bureau of Public Works hav-
ing lifted finger to better it's condi-
ton. There is heavy blame to be laid
upon all these, and somewhat must |
rest upon the community at large, for
though attention was called it perhaps |
was not done pointedly enough, there |
were, some very thick tides to be pune
tured.
fair that all the loss should fall upca |
the inhabitants of the district. The fact
that there is some dissatisfaction and |
among those who have been
deprived of their homes and of their /
means of livelihood can account for
this The fact that many of them have
lost in an instant the results of years
of little accumulations is certainly not |
calculated to produce equanimity Of
temper or a very cheerful disposition.
But If this class of people could be
told that it was not intended to make
them bear the whole loss and that
though the few have to suffer for the
many, which is one of the unwritten
laws of the world and probably ex-
tends to the universe, still their lot
need not be made unnecessarily hard,
they would feel much relieved. 1t
should also be shown that as much
as possible would be
given.
Moreover to people of this class such
Information ought to be given as soon
as practicable, for such people do not
our position, and there are
plenty ready to fan their discomfort. 1t
Is much better to remove that discon-
tent by discreet action, than it is to al
ow it to shoulder, even though it may
not be dangerous.
This is not matter for the Board of
Health, whose functions should be con-
ined to fighting the disease. It is a
natter, however, for the Cabinet and
he citizens to consider. In our eager
less to stop a threatened calamity, we
must not be unjust, An ounce of jus
ice is, after ALL all that is asked for J