The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-02-12

dent--No Property Qualifications
Imposed Upon Electcr. for Either
House of the Territorial Legis-
Isture, as in the Original NM.
WASHINGTON, Feb u-Rerresents-
tive w s. Knox, of Massachusetts, chair
man of the house committee on territories.
has completed his report on the hin for u
creation OF the territorial form OF gov
eminent in Hawaii. and It WIN be submit
ted to the house tomorrow. The report Ia
a very voiuminous document. going ex-
haustiveiy into all questions Involved. and
thoroughly covering every phase of tho
hill which the committee has agreed upon
after many hearings and much investi-
CATION. Chairman Knox says there is Inn
perative need OF the early enactment OF
an organic act for Hawaii. Il has be-
come apparent that there Is much doubt
OF the extent OF the power granted to the
local government of Hawaii by the pro-
visions OF the joint resolution of anncxa-
ton. and In many important respects
there r. something like an interregnum In
Hawaii.
Many Qu~stious Discussed.
Many doubtful questions or admiralty
and maritime Jurisdiction have arisen. as
well as Of criminal procedure. rendering II
uncertain whether there Ii now any irin-
unsi for the decision OF important aues-
tons affecting property and any existing
method by which criminals may be indict-
ed or legal turies empaneied for their
trial
Present Muddied Condition.
There Is also grave doubt concerning tho
power OF the Hawaiian government To
grant franchises for industrial and conn
merciai enterprises. or for railways which
have been projected. In many respects
the business affairs OF the territory arc
brought 10 a stapdStHl. Many Americans
have bought government land since an
nexation on which they have butlt real
dences and planted crops. but their land
titles are now IN diapute and cannot he
settled until the passage cf this bin.
Meanwhile, no Americans can settle in
Hawaii on homesteads or land TO be
bought from the government, and very
desirable class OF citizens Ia thereby shut
cut Of the new territory. The ioesi gov.
ernnent IL unahle even 30 make public
roads over any part of the public domain
OF Hawaii or carry out plans based on
legislation prior To annexation for widen
Ing and Strengthening the streets of Homo
lssiu-
Bnbontc Plague Matter.
The presence Ia that city ~ the bphonic
plague is calling for drastic measures by
IN. hawaiian authorities involving the
expenditure of hundreds of thousands af
dollars In order TO provide Tor these ox4
pendstures and 10 compensate for ihe de-
struetlon Of buildings Which have besn
burned in the effort 70 suppress the pss~
thence. u Is proper and Just that tsrri-
iotial legislature 10 provided ny congress
with no unnecessary delay.
Contract Lsbor@r. Coming In.
Since the adoption of tha resolution OF
annexation. large numbers ~ IApsnsss
contract lsborSfs haye been brought iato
the Islands. Their number IN uncertain.
bat Il n az least $780, and probably more
than &.ga. ard aalay im extending the
laws OF tha United States 20 fhs islands
viii he taken advantage % 20 lrersase
their number.
Form of Government rrap.s~d.
The form 81 government proposed hy th-
hia fnr IA. Hawaiian Islands ls terriscrsal
ip form. similar 10 tsat 81 faa latsr tsrxl-
tories of the United Esstes-~a governor.
attorney genera. commissioner sf pubic
Lands, commissioner % aErscuitHrr aaI
forestry. superintendent of riihn works.
superintendent of pessia instruction. apst-
tor and deputy auditor, surveyor and hlsh
ahsY1ff. appointed bp the soyeraaF.
The legislature II provided. consisting Of
~eusse and haase ~ representatives..
| eSsefea ~ fie neupie. Tba territory ~ 10
be represented ~ a delegate N congress.
| The territory s. made Il judicial alssrict
ef tha gnltea States. wfh aisiries court
| The gsAieia! poser % tho territory Il vest
| o. "a saprsnls eesFt and n superior
/ courts % BE- established ~ tas les.sssfurs.
Tas constitution and lass ~ iS@ tinted
I States ioeaiy applicable. sFe sxssn6ss
oxer the rev territory. sns the la~s of
Hawan not iHeonsiafent wlth The consa-
tafian and hssp of tho rnit~d gssses. are
continued IN fores. The isrr!fory u made
a Fussprpa sna revenue district. snd ss-
comes subject 10 IN. sanff mws u ths
United States
Proper Form fer Them.
Chairman Knox says q Reeds 30 Hrsa-
mens 20 convince fhat x Is be ponsibls to
Eiye 70 the Hawaiian islands govern
rneut like that % tae tmi,ef EsfsA terri
togies--A government ~hiaa -aas rn1t the
approval nt congress and the Asmrfcan
peaBie since ise Constitution was adopted
ard hiss proved Itself sdApfea 10 fise needs
~ free ard progressive pegpievii d aa-
ssrah.e 90 % -
Hawafihn p~aple Capable.
The American IDEA Of uniyersaI surfrago
Esssap9osss sa@i ths ssex ss sis<ssa va