The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1900-12-15
RADICAL LAND CHANGES
PROBABLE LAND POLICY OF THE
INDEPENDENTS.
What John Emmeluth Thinks on Sub
ject-Believes in Government Retain
ing Title to Public Lands.

The charter is not the only matter of
importance which is to be considered by
the legislature and from what can be
learned the land and homestead mat
ter will receive more than passing no
tiCe. AS a matter of fact some very
radical changes in the present system
of the disposition of the public lands
are contemplated by the Independent
party leaders. John Emmeluth as one
of them has given the land and water
rights issues much study and in the
course of an interview this morning an
nounced his views upon those matters.
Indeed, the statement from Mr.. EN-
meluth can be taken as semi official
announcement of the policy which the
Independent party will follow in the
legislature for his sentiments are in
perfect accord with those of other
leaders of his party
Mr.. Emmelutn made the following
statement this morning.
Il have carefully read this mornings
Advertiser and l give you the same
views that l gave Mr.. Dole several
years ago. The present Homestead Act
is altogether too Voluminous in details
and provisions of a character which not
only test the abiliay of the ordinary
homesteader to comprehend but would
tax the ability of the average lawyer to
correctly define.
l challenge Mr.. Dole or Land Agent
Brown to produce a homeSteader who
has taken up piece of land under the
existing act and who today is getting
his entire livelihood, to say nothing OF
profits from the cultivation of his land.
L would prohibit the lease system
and substitute for the present law
one containing provisions that man
can take up a certain amount of land
Qn quantity according to the uses that
can be made of same) on three condi-
tions. That he live on it-cultiYate it
and pay his taxes
The title of all land must vest In the
government before we realize the not
altogether impossible conditions aimed
at by socialists.
The homesteader is more secure in
the possession of his lands than where
they are yielded him in fee simple-for
he can neither mortgage nor sell the
same-hiS children after him have like
privileges and if conditions demand he
can sell his improvements to any one
who will register himself as succeed
ing the original homesteader.
l believe the Government should con-
denim all lands above certain eleva-
tions on each Island to forest cultiva-
tion and the Government is confronted
with the taking upon itself the conser-
walton and storage of water for the
general welfare from this time toward
in order to insure to homesteaders and
Small ldnu nOluerS the aDl1ty TO sue
cessfully cultivate their holdings.
Water should be distributed under
conditions similar to what we in Homo
lulu are yielded water by the Govern
ment the revenue raised in this way to
go-1st, to a sinking fund that shall
meet the obligations created by the va
rious improvements dams, storage
basins and permanent ditches); End, tC
the preservation, care and replanting OF
forests.
1 most emphatically state my convic-
tions that it would be a grave error
on the part of Congress to withhold
local control of all lands and public
utilities. We who are familiar with To-
cal conditions must be left to work
out our own salvation.
We want to wipe out forever the pos
sibility of even so great and good man
as Mr.. Dole, sending his assistance to
a scheme which alienates from Govern
ment control utilities that ten years
from now will be acknowledged as
among the most valuable of our pos
sessions.
Some people are doing a little froth-
ing at the mouth over the possible dis
aster to the country from Independent
rule.
Let me tell you as one of them that
I look forward to my efforts in the
coming Legislature, being the best work
of my life because l hope it shall yield
equal rights for all special privileges
for none and home rule for each island
of the group.