Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1900-12-22
Mrs Anna Eames Sounds
Warning Note to
Honolulu.
REMARKS ABOUT the
AMERICAN municipality
Trained Minds are Needed for Charter
Works--ShOuld be the Hawaiian
City and None Other
Exact Copy Idea,

The perfecting of municipal govern
ment seems to be the final work of the
century. The problem Of American
politics today as II is the problem OF
Hawaiian politics Is the problem OF
the CITY. All over America II Is one
Of the greatest questions confronting
modern politics and modern civiliza-
ton. There is no American city which
is even calmly satisfied with the con-
duct Of its municipal affairs. There are
constant appeals from the pulpit,
through the press in newspapers. MT
gaines and books for the best people
TO identify themselves with the public
welfare. As Carl Schurz wittily says,
Even tho the angel Gabriel should
devise a system of municipal govern
ment, Lucifer II its operations were in
trusted to him would speedily reduce
It to chaos" and so in the last analysis
In a democracy no better municipal
government is possible than the people
from whom II comes.
Trained men at the head of the we'll
equipped system is the climax Of good
government.
There Is no good reason why Homo
lulu should be fac smile reproduction
of an American city. She will never
be an American city, but always the
Hawaiian City. The American city does
not lead the van. In everything which
pertains to municipal legislation, we
are today throughout America away
modelled after Paris 1t Is said and at
tests the nobleness of her inspiration.
This condition disgraceful and humi-
liating is a lasting reproach to democ-
racy. We of Honolulu may profit Dr
the mistakes of others. II the great
procession of American cities. now
struggling with undesirable conditions
thoughtlessly voted upon themselves
could voice their accumulated expert
'h't Nolh w
this word would be do not, do not, do
not be precipitate. II is all too easy 10
saddle city with bad charter. indeed
II Is extremely difficult to be wise WITH
the greatest elaboration. The city Of
Honolulu, its upbuilding, purifying
identifying should be the dearest wish
of every citizen. This not alone be-
cause he is represented in what II Is
but because the city is the unit, and the
whole is made up of the units. What
the city Of Honolulu is made to be
determines to a great extent the social
and political future Of the Islands.
Honolulu has whole curriculum Of
needs In connection with the building
OF great city. Will hastily collabor-
ated charter help her? Can a charter
worked by great committee of I'M
trained men run much chance of max
ing "The punishment fit the crime
even" Hardly. tU H.....
When Honolulu goes to the expense
and trouble Of making charter II
should be as nearly right as the care
full work of an intelligent commission
which has carefully investigated the
municipal organization Of the ContiE-
ent, Great Britain, American and Aus
tralian cities can make it. Such a
Commission not of unwieldy numbers
should be made up of men conversart
thoroughly with the needs and condi-
tons of Honolulu, and as well-equippel
by travel and liberal investigation as
may be for the framing of a charter
for the great city which Honolulu will
one day be.
ANNA AWARD EAMES.
Wahiawa, Oahu, II. |. VI