The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-03-08
HAWAIIAN LEGISLATURE
MEMBERS CONDUCTING BUSINESS IN
DER MANY DISADVANTAGES.
EngIish Must BE Spoken and Inter-
prefers Are Kept Busy-Terri-
torial Secretary Elected.

HONOLULU, March !, via San Francisco,
March 1.-The first territorial Legislature
of Hawaii began it's sessions in Honolulu
on the 10Th of last month apd has been in
session ever since. On the third day OF
the session Secretary Of the Territory
Cooper was unceremoniously ordered out Of
the house and escorted out by the SER
geant-at-arms. Acting under the section
of the territorial act which provides that
he shall record and preserve the laws and
proceedings Of the Legislature" Secretary
Cooper took up a place on the floor of the
House with a stenographer to secure a
record of the proceedings. Representative
Meckley, Independent. offered a resolution
requiring him TO leave. The resolution set
forth that his presence on the floor was 4
violation of the rule that the three depart
ments of the government-eXecutive, judi
cial and legislative-must be kept separate,
and it was urged in debate that Governor
Dole had put Cooper where he was with a
view to intimidating members by letting
them see that the executive office was TAX
ing a stenographic report of the proceed
ings.
Cooper was declared by Republicans
to be present as a representative of Presi-
dent Mckinley, as he had been ordered to
transmit a report to Washington, but even
this plea did not deter the Independents.
After long debate the Beckley resolution
passed by a vote of 20 to 3. the nine being
ali the Republicans in the House.
With both houses in control of the hide
pendent Home Rule party and containing a.
majority of native Hawaiians. the Legisla-
ture has already been the scene of some
remarkable proceedings, and the end of the
session promises TO see many radical
measures adopted, among those to which
the controlling party is committed being a
liquor dlSpenSary law, a taxation system
that will be a combination OF single tax
and income tax doctrines, an election law
based on prOpOrtiOnate representation, and
a law excluding from the Territory all per-
sons who may arrive afflicted with con-
sumption or leprOSy. The question of lam
guages Is another source of trouble. The
organic act says that all proceedings of the
Legislature shall be conducted in the En-
glish language. Half of the members cam
not speak English, and Hawaiian interpre-
ters have been employed in both houses.
1t Is the opinion of some lawyers that this
Will invalidate all proceedings, and this
matter will come before the courts when
some laws have been passed. Chief Justice
trear and Governor Dole, who were MEM
bers of the commission that adopted the
rule in question, have expressed the opin-
ion that it intended to provide that no Ian
guage but English should be spoken. The
Independents claim that laws and resolu-
tions, ETC.. shall be in English. Every
measure and every speech is being given
in both English and Hawaiian. The House
meets in the throne room of the old palace,
now occupied by government offices. The
speakers chair is the former throne of
Hawaiian monarchs.
The steamship Zealandia has arrived here
with 1863 Porto Ricans from Port Los An
geles. Three of the immigrants died on the
way. The immigrants are being sent in
steamers to various plantations. 1t is re-
ported that the Zealandia is TO make sew
eral trips as a carrier of Porto Ricans, and
that at least 5000 more will be brought here
by her in the near future.
The Interisland Telegraph Company has
given formal notice of the opening for BUSH
ness of the wireless telegraphy system be-
tween Honolulu and the Island of Maui.
This system has long been under tests. but
is now pronounced satisfactory for regular
business. The Capital states that il will
soon extend communication to Hilo.
Annual meetings of several sugar planta-
tions have been held here this week. The
managers report large crops and good pros
poets for the coming year. Most Of them
report having had some difficulty on ac-
count of the scarcity of labor. In some
cases the acreage planted was slightly less
ened on account of the lack of labor. The
managers all report the labor system i'm
Ricans are being brought here, there will be
no further trouble.
William Marshall, formerly editor of the
Volcano. has been released from Oahu Jail
on pardon from Governor Dole. He was
sentenced for six months for criminal libel
of the late Chief Justice Judd and had
served four months,