Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-01-25

bodies In any attempt to enforce severe
sanitary measures, as we do in town, they
would be uncomfortable. Hence. in their
dread. the whites at the outposts are eStap-
fishing the most drastic embargoes against
Honolulu. although those measures place
them in serious distress. OF course, all
this is most disastrous to Honolulu bust
ness of every kind. In time the outposts
will be more or less able to import their
supplies direct from the coast.
An Enormous Expense.
Another very serious difficulty in which
the government is placed is financial one
The expenses created by the determined
and severe action of the board of health
threaten to roll up to an enormous amount
Who are to pay for the buildings burned?
The owners will undoubtedly claim dam
ages. The rentals probably amount 10
$4,000 or 100000 annually on the proper
ty quarantined or destroyed. No doubt, af-
ter the old shacks are cleared away, the
ground alone will be worth much more
than the whole property was before: only
it is probable that it will be unsafe to build
upon it for a year. or two. Then, several
THOUSAND people are suddenly deprived of
their likelihood and must receive more or
less aid. Large numbers of guards have to
be employed and other workers. How are
these various OUTLAWS to be met?
There is, happily. a surplus in the treas
ury of perhaps one million dollars or more.
Also the constitution of the republic of
Hawaii permits the council of state, in the
absence of the legislature, to vote neces-
sary supplies in case of war, pestilence or
other public disaster. On the outbreak of
the plague the council at once placed 49,
600 in the hands of the board of health. The
other day they voted 100000 more, against
the serious protests of some that they
were exceeding their powers, which is prob
ably the case. Ordinarily, in such a strait,
the legislature would be summoned to take
action.
But now, apparently, we have no legisla-
ture, and no means of getting one. Be-
tween the mona ction of Congress and GER
tain action of President Mckinley this gov
eminent of Hawaii is rendered powerless
to employ the ample funds in its overflow
ing treasury, however urgent its necessi-
ties. 1t had been expected that Congress
would, at its last session, have Established
an adequate government for the territory
of Hawaii. in accordance with the provis-
ions of the "Newlands resolution" That
was not done, and We have no assurance
when 1t will be done by a Congress over
burdened with other business. So poor Ha-
wall Is left to stew in its own juice" usu-
ally a very fair condition of things but
just now poisoned by bubonic microbes.
What are We to do?
We were not permitted to provide our
selves with a legislature last September.
when the term of the last legislature eX-
pired. President Mckinley, doubtless for
some apparently good reason, forbade il.
Our President Dole, proceeding in regular
course, ordered the September election, and
the regular registration of voters to pre-
cede it, at the same time notifying Presi-
dent Mckinley of his action. Mr.. McKin-
ley promptly forbade the intended registra-
ton and election to proceed We are
therefore, without any legislature or any
body empowered to authorize the use of
the growing surplus in the treasury.
1t is true that many of us think that in
the circumstances of the case the last leg