The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1901-02-13
THE INDEPENDENTS

The members of the Home Rule party
have certainly worked hard during the
past few weeks, and will enter the
house ready to enter upon the business
of the session, well informed as to the
needs of the departments, the heads of
which have been visited by them.
When visiting a department, they have
come prepared with a list Of questions,
and during the visit, from the infor-
nation ELECTED, other questions are
suggested. As all or nearly all the
members are present, by this method
every member of the party knows what
information has been given. This GER
tainly is thorough work. What the re-
suits may be remains to be be seen.
The method of meeting in caucus and
deciding upon the course to be taken
is to be commended. But the meeting
Of party in this way should not do
away with debate in the two houses.
The views expressed in caucus are the
views of one party only But there are
other interests in the country, besides
those represented by the Independ-
ent party and it is but justice that
they should be heard
To say that all the legislation pro-
posed by the Independent party will
be good is as absurd as to say that it
will all be bad. Either sweeping asser-
ton would be extremist, yet there are
people who do make each. That the
Independent party is thoroughly honest
in many of its measures no one can
doubt, that they are all wise measures,
and will be of benefit to the people of
the Territory is open to grave debate.
Some of the changes and reforms
proposed should have the very widest
discussion, and indeed should go before
the voters for endorsement. 1t is a
good thing to remember that hasty re-
forms are apt to produce strong re-
actions. If reform is to be enduring it
should be built upon an enduring basis.
A radical change made by a party in
the majority, which was not a portion
of the party platform and therefore not
an issue in the campaign is unfairly
made. 1t is getting elected to repre-
sentatidls. and then taking a very i'm
portant card from the sleeve.
Seven days from today the Legisla-
tire viii meet. The regular session
will extend tn the first of May provid-
ed there are no adjOurnments, and can
be extended to the fifth OF June if the
business of the Territory requires it.
1t will then expire by limitation. There
is no reason 10 think that the session
will be continued to the fifth of June,
From the appearance of things now
"a majority of the two Houses is desi.
rous of getting all business completed
on or before the first of May. But APP
pearances are sometimes deceptive, and
with the momentOus questions which
are coming up, there may be long de-
bates. A minority can put up a strong
fight when it comes to the pinch.
The question of raising funds for the
ordinary improvements, and the run
ming expenses of the Territory is a
serious one, but the raising of funds
for permanent improvements and for
extraordinary expenses such as the
fire claims, which are put down at
100000, but which are as likely TO be
50, 900 or more even, is a still more
serious one.
The Governor in his message will
outline a plan to meet these contin-
gencies, and will suggest methods by
which the outgo may be brought with
in the income The Independent party
have formulated a system of taxation,
which has not yet been made public,
which will it is thought raise sufficient
means to meet the eXigencies of that
party. There was TO have been an in
come tax wing to the bill, and The Star
has always advocated an income tax.
There are grave doubts as to the con-
stitutionality Of the income tax under
existing conditions. As an independ-
ent Monarchy or Republic we could
have had an income tax, but as part
Of the United States the constitution
atty of the tax would be challenged,
and yet some of the States have an in
come tax in a modified form.
These are all grave questions and
those who have the interests of the
Territory at heart wonder what the
outcome will be.