The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1900-02-17

his conclusions, gentle and consider
ate IN his methods. long popular with
natives as well as with whites. a use-
ful conservative factor in Hawaii's
revolutionary history. In response to
the suggestion that the torn-up state |
az his city house was perhaps dupli-
Gated in Hawaiian political conditions. l.
Mr.. Doe said: Yes, the Islands are /
in transition period OF seni-annexa- |
don Hawaii has been formally an
1exed, but there is Consul General
of the United States here. as if this
were still a foreign country, and the
Islands still have their Consu's over i
.al the world. Hawaii charges GUS
toms duties on American goods i'm
ported, and pays duties on exports to |
the United States.
9 Infusion and Uncertainty of Laws. |
Our laws are in an uncertain and
unsatisfactory condition. Congress
declared that the local laws should be
enforced until displaced by Congress
sional enactment. 1 asked for con-
struction by the national Government
OF this declaration, and presented spe-
cifically certain points upon which
doubts might arise, one question hav-
| ing relation to land patents. The re-
sponse was in effect to go ahead with
he enforcement of these laws, and this
has been done. But later the national
| Government suspended the operation
of the local land laws, giving its pro-
hibition retroactive effect back to
| the assumed date of annexation, and
not excepting even transfers of pub
lie lands made since annexation in
pursuance of agreements contracted
under the local law prior to annexa-
tion.
The question has been raised
whether the Constitution of the United
States apples here, and foFbids con-
4 yiction in a criminal case except by a
unanimous jury, Notwithstanding the
local law which permits conviction by
the verdict of smaller number than
twelve jurors. We have reprieved a
prisoner, convicted of capital Of
fense by less than unanimous jury,
on account of this uncertainty.
There was reason to suppose that
; Mr. Damon's mission to Italy to IA
cilitate immigration to Hawaii of la
+ horers from the north Italian provinces
met with the approval of the State
Department, but 1t seems that this is
! npLs the ease, and the undertaking has
been given up.
"No, there is no friction between the
> national and local government over
: sny of these matters. We have beer
D unfortunate, think, in not having
9 some representative in Washington
: who would be permitted to explain tC
the general Government the reasons
: for our acts or proposals and the con-
e ditions which suggested them. Judge
5 Hartwell is there now for this pur-
4 pcse. end everything will, I believe, &c
( smoothly.
[ 1.-The Hawaiian hope is that Congress:
q will quickly pass the Territorial BIZ
!. for the Islands, thus putting an enc
1 to all uncertainties and perfecting an
0 nexation."
Ex-MinisteY Thurston.
Later / had an interesting talk will
: another Hawaiian in whom Washing
q tonians are interested, Lorrin A
- Thurston, who will be remembered a
for long time the representative o
the Islands at the national capital an,
as a most effective worker for annexa
ton. AS Mr.. Dole personifies the de
;, liberate, thoughtful conservatism, 81
Mr.. Thurston typifies the bold, force
. full, aggressive element in the groul
% Of notable men who have fitted tn
z, Islands to become, and have mad
n them a part of the United States.
l. Mr.. Thurston ig out OF politics nov
g. officially and in his own person q
J. least. But as the principal owner O
y the Honolulu Commercial Advertise
le he Is still by proxy an influential fac
n tor in Hawaiian affairs. Honolulu
te morning newspaper has doubled i
,e circulation and advertising since hi
ID connection with 1t. His personal at
II tention of late has been large.y give
ID to business affairs, including the de
h velopment of sugar plantation G
re 5000 acres in Maui, and another OF 20
IL 0e0 acres on Hawaii. In connectio
n tContinued on Page 81