Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1900-07-16
REPUBLICANS AND MR.. DOLE.

The Bulletin regrets the inability,
real or assumed, Of its Republican con-
temporary to interpret with proper I'M
derstanding the position taken by this
paper towards the appointments made
by Governor Dole to the Boards of
Registration. II parties are to be main
tanned in the Hawaiian Territory on
American lines, II political effort OF
the people is to be exerted towards
bringing future political order out OF
present and past political chaos. there
are two pathways open to the loyal
Republicans prompted by the Ameri-
can spirit that places party discipline
and principle above the acts of indi-
viduals-the administration of Cover
nor Dole must either be supported or
repudiated. Mr.. Dole is the appointee
of a Republican President, placed In
Office to fulfill the duties and demands
Of a Republican administration. As
such he is entitled to the unhesitating
support of such citizens as consider
themselves members of the Republi-
can party and supporters of the ma
tional administration.
II, in the estimation OF the local
party, leaders or rank and file, Mr..
Dole's administration is such as to
bring discredit upon the party, Of
which he must OF necessity stand as a
representative, the only thing that re-
mains is to manfully and forcefully re-
pud.ate his acts and give the question
proper representation at the source
that can call for his withdrawal.
Middle Of the road Republicanism is
as impossible in the party as 1t is with
the President or the Governor. Pop
ulists and Democrats are the great
straddlers of the nation and are al
ways watchful for leaders that think
they can accomplish the feat of being
on both sides Of the fence at the same
time and thereby inspire popular con-
fidence' in their integrity OF purpose.
1t is impossible for Republicans of Ha-
wall to inspire any degree of confidence
In local or national circles, by first
making the announcement that Gov
ernor Dole is a Republican Governor
and forthwith attacking the first move
he makes and assuming a critical at
titude that creates nothing II not
campaign material for opponents OF
the Republican party. The Republl-
cans Of Hawaii must accept Mr.. Doles
acts as whole or refuse absolutely,
any and all responsibility for his poll
teal standing or official acts. Half
hearted critical support is worse than
none and has heretofore been exemplI-
Ned only by the ponderous organ Of the
morning, which knows no steadfast
loyalty to party or principle.
In making the appointments to the
Board Of Registration, Governor Dole,
II properly quoted, makes the most re-
Variable plea that he was ignorant of
'x1;eriean party custom. This being
true wha13 Is the Republican party 10
do about it? what can the Republican
Party do about It? Accept Il and make
the best of II Is the usual party GUS
tom. Air the Governors Ignorance
,iata lao fA. hA hanAAt nf tu
opponents and at the same time de-
clare him to be the head of the party
is another method taken up locally.
This is tantamount to reputation,
though the repuditaor still maintains
its loyalty to the party OF which Mr..
Dole is stated to be the official head
The Bulletin has yet to discover the
appointments incident to the organiza-
ton of the Registration Boards are of
sufficient import towarrant the act be-
ing depicted as heinous crime. Nor Is
It an incident that should necessarily as
sure the defeat Of the Republican par
ty, unless Republicans themselves put
arguments In the mouths Of their OPP
ponents.
II is, of course, possible for the Gov
ernor to so conduct himself in his at
titude toward the party as to create an
open bolt. But the initiative should
come from the Governors Office not the
rank and file. Governor Dole is not de-
pendent upon popular franchise for
continuance in Office. Criticism OF him
can't change the situation but 1t may,
II carried to the extremes the Demo-
Gratis would wish, serve to destroy Re-
publican strength in the Legislature.