The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-04-16
4 Government For Hawaii.

- OOSCSnuISHt wi toVuhs
We publish in our news columns this
morning the scheme Of government Tor
Hawaii, rs agreed upon, with some
slight changes. by congress. In the
rattle and bang of the debate over
Puerto Rico and the Philippines, the
fate OF this. our elder acquisition, has
teen almost lost sight Of But We may
find here. In the careful study and solu-
ton Of this difhcuit problem. an earnest
OF our purpose Congress has done we'll
and wisely. II had to meet novel ques-
lions, where no previous experience
could serve a. an adequate guide and
where mistakes would be serious. It's
work Il one that the people cannot fan
to approve.
The substance OF the act. together
, with the conditions TO which II must
apply. are given with rare iucidity and
condemnation In the speech OF Repre-
sentative Hamilton. II In crammed with
fncts which every reader. especially on
this Coast whose relations with Hawaii
will be 30 Intimate. should preserve for
future reference. The government es-
tablished 10 territorial in form, and all
persons who were citizens OF the repub-
lie Of Hawaii on August u. 1898. are de-
clared TO be citizens OF the United
States. II IL estimated that the voters
viii include about 10000 Hawailans. $500
Portuguese and some 5000 Americans
and Europeans. The race problem thus
presented IL not simple one. and has
had Its effect upon the frame Of govern
nen agreed upon.
This government, after our own
model. In distributed among three de-
psrtments: the executive. the legislative
and the judicial The head of II Is a
governor appointed by the president OF
the United States for four years. The
president also appoints secretary and
al attorney general. The powers OF the
Hawaiian executive are large lie is
commander In chief. may declare mar
tiai law, and appoints the heads OF TN
portant departments and the members
of various locai governing boards.
The territory In authorized to elect n
delegate 10 the congress Of the United
states. He Is chosen by popular vote.
The territorial legislature consists OF a
senate and house. The senate con
tains fiftcen members. who are elected
from four districts into which the ter
ri;ory Is divided. and who hold once for
four years. The house has thirty mem.
beers. elected from six districts. every
second year The Judiciary u modelled
exactly upon our own 10 addition 10
q complete local system ef courts the
territory Is made judicial district and
attached to the Ninth judicial elrcust OF
the United states
The powers OF this legislature are ~
restricted as 20 guard against abuse. L,
may not grant private charters. appro.
pirate money for other than public
schools, lend government credit 10 any
Incorporated company. contract any
new debt except for selt-dsfeuce or pub
lie unproy ements. or pass any retro
spectiVe laws. In addition to the ma
chinery 50 set forth. there ls com.
missioner of public land. who Is su-
shorised 10 dispose, in a prescribed man-
Nor, Of the public domain The entire
territory Is made 90 constitute one In.
sernal revenue and also one customs
district,
This is a frame ~ government suited
20 a people who are familiar with our
institutions and our laws; a people Whd
achieved self.government for themselves
and maintained " for years, who came
&c u. voluntarily. under circumstances
chat proved the sincerity OF their desire
ana their right to have II sra'ihed' II
a. an emblem OF constructive statesman
shin. II fulnns our pledges and keeps
faith. Most OF ALL ii displays our VIII
towards all the peoples who shall come
~,th,n the protection Of our authority
and the shelter OF our laws. We VII
xaal with them, as Mr.. Hamilton says
.each according 10 its own needs and
,onAtt,onxs our representatives hass