Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1901-03-14
HAWAII HAS
ITS TROUBLES
Half the Legislators Cannot, As Required
Speak English Language.
The House Meets In the Old Paiac
Where Royalty Once Reign
ed Supreme.

Honolulu.-(Special.)- Via San Fran
cisco, March 10.-Hawajis first territor
ial legislature, which has been in ses
sion here since February 20, is in con
troll of the Home Rule" party, con
tanning a majority of native Hawaiians
It has already been the scene of some
remarkable proceedings and the end OF
the session promises to see many very
radical measures adopted, among those
to which the controlling party is COM
mitted being a liquor dispensary law, a
taxation system that will be a combi-
nation of single tax and the income
tax doctrines, an election law based
on proportionate representation, and a
law excluding from the territory all per
sons who may arrive here afflicted with
consumption or leprosy.
TONGUES GIVE TROUBLE.
The question of languages is another
source of trouble. The organic act says
that all proceedings of the legislature
shall be conducted in the English Ian
guage. Half of the members cannot
speak English, and Hawaiian inter
prefers have been employed in both
years that this will invalidate all pro
ceedings, and this matter will come be-
fore the courts when some laws have
been passed. Chief Justice Frear and
Governor Dole, who >were members OF
the commission that adopted the rules
in question, have expressed the opin-
ion that it intended to provide that nc
language but English should be spoken
The Independents claim that it means
that laws, resolutions, 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 building, now occu-
pied by government offices. The speak
er's chair is the former throne of Ha
waiian monarchs.
The steamship Zealandia has arrived
here with 769 Porto Ricans from OPT
Los Angeles. Three of the immigrants
died on the way. The immigrants are
being sent in steamers to various plan
tations. It is reported that the Zea1an-
dia is to make several trips as a carrier
of Porto Ricans, and that at least 5000
more will be brought here by it in the
near future.
WIRELESS TELEGRAPHY.
The Inter-Island Telegraph company
has given formal notice of the opening
for business of the wireless telegrap phi
system between Honolulu and the isl
and of Maui. The system has long been
under tests, but is now pronounced a
satisfactory condition for business. The
company states that it will soon extend
communication to Hilo.
| Annual meetings of several sugar
plantations have been held here this
week. The managers report large crops
and good prospects for the coming year
Most of them report having had some
difficulty on account of the scarcity OF
labor. The managers all report the Ia
Dor. In some cases the acreage planted
was slightly lessened on account OF
the lack of labor The managers al
report the labor situation improved
and now that many Porto Ricans are
being brought here, there will be nc
further trouble.
William Marshal, former editor of the
Volcano, has been released from Oahu
jail on pardon from Governor Dole.
He was sentenced for six months fol
criminal libel of the late Chief justice
Judd and had served four months.