The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1900-01-12

Odt mems VI support Wnen they come
out of quarantine. and the opinion of
the Board OF Health is that it was be-
yond their province TO expend further
money without consent of the Council
Of State. The condition OF these un-
fortunate people is an incident of the
plague and the matter is properly
brought before the Council of State.
He thought some support should be
provided to keep them from suffering.
Councillor p. c. Jones asked if the
$4,000 called for would be sufficient 20
cover all probable wants.
Minister Cooper said a small sum
had been asked. as il is uncertain. in
fact unknown, how much would be
wanted; the amount asked would do
for the present.
Councillor Brown said he would vote
for $4,000 for the erection Of houses,
but he had grave doubts about estab-
fishing precedent by supplying food
for those coming out of quarantine;
as to this he was not prepared TO say
|"Yes'-he was on the fence He
thought that in setting such a prece-
dent the Council of State would be as
Stunning a large responsibility. and,
hence. they should be very careful in
their action providing for the support
and maintenance of these people
Councillor Jones moved the adoption
Of the recommendations of the Exec
utive Council. He said he had broken
his usual habit and had eaten lunch at
the club instead of going home. While
there he had talked with representa-
tive men and they had all expressed
their opinion freely regarding the mat
ter After lunch he had met other
s.sw
eral merchants and the editor OF a
leading newspaper. and everyone he
had spoken to held that some mainte-
nance should be given these people. II
was not so much a matter of employ
ment, for these people were cut off
from that both on the plantations and
in town. at least for the present. and
their needs were pressing. If the Gov
eminent did not assist them il would
have TO be done by subscription. I'VE
will not stand by" said Mr.. Jones.
"and see these people starving TO
death: we will go down in our pock-
cts first" Continuing. Mr.. Jones said
!, he thought the Government should
!, take action so that the burden would
fall upon the whole of the people of
Hawaii. IL suitable employment could
be found for those who were not able
TO do hard work or others who were
well and good. but their immediate
wants should be met first and that
promptly. Mr.. President. I move to
adopt the bill as read concluded Mr..
= Jones.
Minister Young said the matter of
emp oyment is a difficult one. but he
thou ght more or less work could be
+ found. II was certain. however. that
L.
he kept for a time. and he believed IL
was no new thing for governments TO
aid in such matters He cited the Chi
: cago fire as an instance. and said he
was in favor of voting the amount rec
commended by the Executive Council.
T It was impossible to now tell how
, much would be needed, but he thought
these people should be fed while it
was necessary. He thought some of
them might be put to work for the
Government.
Councillor Isenberg seconded Mr..
Jones motion and said that when he
first heard of the matter and what
was wanted he had been opposed to it.
but that since hearing Mr.. Jones re-
marks he was in favor of passing. the
bill for relief.
Councillor Achi asked the Attorney
General if the Council of State had
the right to appropriate the money
asked. What right have We" said
, Mr.. Achi, "to support these people aft
/, er they are let out OF quarantine" He
doubted if the Council had any right
to appropriate the money and thought
, the question had better be laid before
, the Supreme Court.
Minister Cooper said the question for
. 1,Z - l.
whether this was one of emergency.
He thought it was. When the Council
decided this point. then there was no
question as to their right to appropri-
ate the necessary money.
Councillor Jones explained the dan
gers of allowing those out of quaran-
tine to spread themselves over town
Unfortunately, and thought it was
the duty of the authorities to prevent
the establishment of new centers from
, which the plague might spring anew.
Minister Mott-Smith said there were
other great necessities besides plague
which would warrant the Government
in giving aid. If il had been fire what
would have been the situation? If aid
was then given would it not be
precedent? Was it not an open act OF
the Government which had produced
, the present conditions. and was it not
the duty of the Government to make
, provision for these people as a public
necessity? He saw no difference be-
, tween the precedent of housing and
feeding these people. He thought that
the plan adopted during the cholera
, epidemic of distributing tickets was a
good one. He firmly believed this was
Z separate public necessity.
Minister Cooper here read the law
applying to appropriating money in
cases of public necessity. His opinion
was that the law applied to the pres
ent case.
President Dole at this point called
n attention to a letter received from Mr..
J. p. Cooke, the committee of one APP
pointed to attend 70 the plans Of con-
struction under the Minister of the
q Interior.
Minister Young stated that the mat
ter was urgent and rested largely upon