The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1900-03-23
Argues Its Right to
Alter Bills.
COOPER CREATES A CLASH
Isenberg Moves to Adjourn Sine Die.
Motion to Amend Carried
Despite Opposition.

iOurn yesterday sine die after a heat
ed discussion between Attorney General
Cooper and several members OF the
Council Of State. IS due perhaps 70 the
fact that the latter body has the inter-
ests of the Republic Of Hawaii 20 con-
slider as its main obligation to the tax
payers and citizens alike, and further
more that the appropriation Of avail
able funds for the Board OF Health and
for every department Of the govern
ment is absolutely necessary TO fnsure
their proper conduct
Considerable temper was manifested
by the Attorney General in his endeav-
ors to impress upon the Councillors
the fact that the Council OF State had
no powers other than those which priv
LEGGED that body to pass bills introduc-
ed by the Executive Council. exactly as
they were when they left the Exec
utive's hands before presentation to the
Council Of State. His contention, also.
was that the Council had no power
either TO increase or decrease the
amounts as totalled, nor could It strike
out or insert items. The telegram from
Secretary Hay embodying the express
sions OF President Mckinley as to the
Council OF State making the necessary
appropriations for requisite eXpendi-
lures. Minister Cooper cOntended. con-
ferred no additional powers upon the
Council beyond those already covered
by the Constitution.
The logic of the Attorney General
was attacked by several members of the
Council, and also by Minister Damon
The latter calmly stated his views upon
the subject. agreeing in the main with
the Councillors. At the conclusion OF
his remarks. the Attorney General
Jumped to his feet, exclaiming:
Il don't understand why the Minister
OF Finance takes a different course here
than he does in the Executive Council
Minister Damon's quiet rejoindeK
was. my words are on record in the
minutes"
An appropriation OF $4,000 for avail.
able funds for the immediate use of th'
Board of Health for the payment Of Ia.
borers, guards and other employees who
are in absolute need OF their bach
wages. was unanimously passed by thu
Council.
President Dole called the Council o.
STATE TO order at o'clock, Councillor
Robinson. Jones, Kennedy, Robertson
Gonsalves, Kane, Bolte. Gear, Achi
lKaulukou and Iserberg answering e
the roll call. Ministers Young, Damon
Mott-Smith and Attorney Genera
Cooper were also present.
Secretary Manson read the minutes
Of the previous meeting which wee ap
proved.
A petition TO the Council OF Stat'
was read. which was signed by many o
the leading business and mercantile
houses of the city. to which was ap
pended large bills for merchandise ant
foods sent to the quarantine station
ordered by superintendent McVeigh
and incurred at the instance OF J. X
Brown. United States Chinese Inspec
tor for the maintenance OF Japanes
who were held in quarantine and sub
seuuently returned to Japan. The tota
/ footing amounted TO over $1,000. an
the petitioners desired reueI from tn
Council of State.
Jones raised the question as {
whether the Council had any authorit
for acting upon such bills.
President Dole: "Of course the ques
ton comes up whether this being
meeting OF the Council for pressin
emergency matters. We should act i
any cases such as this.
Achi moved the bills be referred I
the Committee on Judiciary. Kan
thought the bills went to the FinanC
Committee.
Cooper gave a detailed history Of th
bills. stating they should be paid by th
United States.
Jones moved an amendment to Achi
motion to refer them To the Executive
Robertson. ITO bring the matter I
a final analysis-the real point involve
lis the amendment of the total amour
named in any particular bill. The SAN
result would come from striking OF
ian item or inserting a new one in th
bin. II we have the right 20 alter n
lamount in any OF these bills. we Gel
tainly have the right 10 make an
changes we desire in the items.
don't think II Is right 10 send the
bills TO the Executive"
Gear contended that the powers
> the Council OF State have been enlarl
ed by the very authority under whiC
THE Council is at present holding fOrti
President MciAinley's telegram Civ
the Council full authority 20 make r
uuisite appropriations. According
the authority granted by the Hawaiil
Constitution. said Mr.. Gear. Eve &c
. tainly cannot make any appropriation
except those which are necessary. o
Icasioned by any great public calamit
SO. in accordance with the joint resol
, ton OF annexation which has plac'
with President Mckinley the power 4
administering the laws Of Hawai-
such manner as he sees fit, he gives q
, Council the authority 70 make q
necessary appropriations, and q
privilege Of inserting any items N
seem necessary for the coming biennl
period. II seems to me the motion
Z a very proper one.
: Cooper: The telegram says I
HRm #HHHH