The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1900-02-26
HAWAIIAN GOVERN mENT.
The Plague Stimulates Action il
Our Favor.

Our taVOr.
WASHINGTON. Feb. Q Owing 70
the deplorable conditions in Hawaii,
brought about by the ravages of the
bubOnic plague. President Mckinley
has decided TO send q special message
20 Congress recommending that It pass
n resolution empowering the Legisla-
ture OF Hawaii TO meet again Tor the
purpose OF bringing about relief OF the
people. At the Cabinet meeting TO-
day, which was OF short duration, this
was the principal topic discussed, ana
the Cabinet was unanimous IN sup
port OF the President.
Under the treaty by which Hawaii
was annexed to the United States the
Legislature OF the Islands became ex-
tinct N was supposed there would be
no further need for the existence OF
this body. as II waa believed Congress
would have taken action long before
this providing for a permanent form
OF government.
In the absence OF such legislation
there has been no power In the ISL
ands to authorize the expenditure Of
money for the purpose Of crushing out
the plague.
As Ia we'll known, hundreds Of huts
and houses in the neighborhOOd where
the disease Is raging have been burned
TO prevent It's further spread. In con-
seduence thousands OF people are
homeless and without the necessaries
of ufp The Marine Hospital Service
OF this country. as well as the other
medical departments of the Govern
ment. Is powerless TO extend aid in the
absence OF legislation. It's efforts are
confined exclusively to preventing the
disease reaching this country.
President Mckinley and his Cabinet
are extremely anxious to relieve the
unhappy condition OF affairs in Ha-
wall. The President has not lost an
opportunity to urge upon Congress the
necessity OF legislating for those ISL
ands. and he has succeeded in impress
ing upon members Of the House ano
senate the Importance of acting with.
out further delay.
While the President would be glad i
Congress would pass a bill providing
for a government for Hawaii, he woult
ne satisfied for the time being IL l
would pass what might be called al
emergency resolution, revitalizing IN
Hawaiian Legislature for a short time
m this should be done the trouble nov
confronting the authorities at Honolu
I'm could be taken care of until perma
nent relief Is given by the enactmen
OF the Cullom Bill.
The people of Hawaii are sufferin
the torutres of pcstilence without bein
able to help themselves, or do anythtn
90 prevent the spread of the disease
Within a day or two, 1t Is said, tn
President will send his message
Congress. and present the facts l
such a way as to bring prompt actor
Senator Cullom, who has charge
the Hawaiian Bill, has been trying eN
err since Congress met to secure time
consider his bill, but the financial an
other measureds have crowded 1t ou
There promises to be contest betwee
the bills providing governments Il
Hawaii and Puerto Rico.
10 remains to be seen which WI
have the right of way, as Senator
Foraker and Cullom, who have the
respective measures in charge, are bot
making a fight for precedence. In bot
instances the necessity Is urgent, b
with the deplOrable conditions nov e.
isting In Hawaii II would not be su
prising IL Senator Foraker should gil
way.