The Honolulu republican. [volume] (Honolulu, T.H.) 1900-1902, 1901-07-30
The WASHINGTON star
Oh HIHlIIlI AFFAIRS
1T TAKES FOR GRANTED THAT
POPULAR GOVERNMENT IS
PREMATURE.
Holds That Governor Dole Saved the
Territory-rh'nks wilcox !. In.
provlns-Lesson 10 Avoidance for
Dealing with Philippines.
Especial to The Republican |


WASHINGTON, July 10--TheI
Washington Star this evening prints
the following editorial.
There Is no reason to be pessimistie
over the extension OF American rule
to island peoples because the first
stage OF the territorial government in
Hawaii has fallen short of the expected
mark. There is no doubt that mis-
waiians a franchise far more liberal
than they were competent 10 exercise
1t was in excess OF that which they
had been enjoying under the island
republic and beyond that which was
advised by the congressional commits
sioners who visited the islands fer
the purpose of framing a fundamental
law. Had the advice of those who
knew the conditions in Hawaii been
followed by Congress in this impor-
tant matter of establishing represen-
tatiye government for the new terri
tory many. if not most. of the mis-
takes of the past twelve months would
have been avoided. But in character
istic congressional fashion the bill
was changed from house TO house with
out reference to the imperative re-
quirements of the case and against
the suggestions of those best qualified
to advise, and from the final conference
it emerged with a suffrage provision
which represented compromise on
the lines of the utmost liberality short
of an unqualified franchise.
In consequence of this unwise grant
of suffrage to natives who were unready
to exercise it legislature was chosen
which would have ruined the territory
financially, politically and morally
had it not been for the wise interven-
ton of Governor Dole They sent to
Congress a man representative of the
lowest classes in the archipelago and
allied closely to the old monarchical
system They precipitated quarrels
which have interfered with the exer-
else of the administrative functions
and have even developed scandals in
the judiciary.
But there is reason to look for
betterment. The delegate to Congress
IS rast transferring his political alla-
glance. He has modified his views
and is now headed straight for con-
servatism. The evils which menaced
the islands have been warded OFF by
the barriers erected by the mainland
government. The natives have begun
to learn the lesson of self-control and
the folly of political division along
race lines. The administration in this
city has stood steadfastly in support
of the island executive. and there is
a prospect that the second legislature
will be of a better character than the
first.
Nevertheless. the experience has
not been pleasant one for either Ha-
wall or her friends In the states. The
territory has been set back somewhat
by the shock of the legislative failure
Yet, with excellent prospect of cur
ing of the evils which have been so
utSlkuttls cuuWa III Travail uuEtHS
this year of representative territorial
government. it may be believed that
the experience has not been wholly
lost. An object lesson in avoidance
has been afforded for possible appli-
cation to the case of the Philippines.
The United States has found that 1t
is unwise to start a people long accus-
toned TO absolute dominance by an
other power too far along on the road
toward complete independence at the
outset of a new career. The race is
not to those who set the sharpest pace
at the start. Hawaii is learning by
bitter experience that self-govern-
ment is not a matter of mere
enactment or proclamation, but of gra-
dual evolution through progressive
stages. E. S. L.