The Honolulu republican. [volume] (Honolulu, T.H.) 1900-1902, 1901-02-02
THE DULL GRIND OF
CHARTER CONSIDERATION
CAUSES SOME OF THE iNDEpEN
DEM COMMISSIONERS TO
BECOME WEARY.
Considerable Progress Made Yester-
day EVenins-Outies of County
Coroner. Attorney, Probate Judge
and Commissioners Defined.

The Independent Charter Commits
sion succeeded in completing their
consideration of number of pages
OF county government draft at a meet
ing at Fosters Hall yesterday even
ing. When chairman Tesla called the
gathering to order it was found that
a bare quorum was present
The question OF salary OF the coun-
" attorney was about the first matter
that precipitated q general discussion
Mr. Erwing moved 10 reconsider a
former motion which was TO the eff
feet that the settlement of the amount
OF salary be left with the legislature.
The sentiment was somewhat divided
on this point and later the matter was
dropped on a motion of Mr.. Boyd TO
reconsider section and adopt it as
read
To Mr. Caypless, this apparently de-
sultory discussion of minor matters
appeared TO be causing unnecessary
delay in the more important work at
hand. He believed that if the COM
mission did not settle down to the
dull grind of county charter consider
alton. the one hundred and twenty
pages remaining would hardly be com
pleted before the calling of the legis-
lature in session.
At this juncture Mr.. Tesla delegated
Mr.. Boyd to fill his place in the chair
and. taking the floor himself, stated
that to his idea the submission OF the
remainder of the charter to revision
committee. appointed especially fol
the purpose, would be the speediest
way out of the difficulty. He offered
a motion to this effect. BY frequent
meetings this committee could greatly
expedite matters, more so than would
the bringing of all questions before
the entire commission. Talk pro and
con followed his suggestion. and upon
a vote being taken, the motion was
lost. Then the commission settled
down to the heading of the draft by
Mr.. Caypless.
The requirements and regulations
governing the Offices of coroner. at
torney, probate judge and commission
ers we're embodied in the chapters
read. AS in previous meetings some
sections were adopted as they were
read, while others were amended in
more or less degree.
1t was Thought best to allow the
coroner a two-year term Of office and
require him to give an approval bond
of $4,000. Among other things this
olhciafs duties are to hold inquests
when death from unknown causes IS
announced. He is authorized to issue
subpoenas. Fees are allowed for per
forming autopsies.
In the various sections under the
chapter relating to probate judge,
that official is given a two-year term
of office. He is required to be ready
for business at all times. Court must
be held at the county seat. The ma
jority of the sections under this CLASH
fication were adopted as read.
The arrangement for districting
the county. assigning three TO its ter.
ritory, was exhaustively covered in
the chapter devoted to county COM
missioners. The sections specify,
among other things. that the county
shall be divided into three districts,
with a commissioner for each dis
trict, elected by the people. These
officials hold office for a term of two
years. The bond of each shall in 40
case exceed $4,000.
Mr. Caypless had about finished the
reading of two-thirds of the matter
relating to the county commissioners.
when a friend of commissioner Hart
summoned him to ,-.e door. This
gentleman found it necessary to leave
the room. He was soon followed by
Mr.. Tesla, who evidently found
something doing" in the next room,
The sudden withdrawal of the two
members reduced the number present
TO such extent that there was no long
er a quorum present, and further con-
sideration of charter matters sudden
ly terminated. Mr.. Dee started out
after the absent members. but soon
empty-handed Mr.. Quinn
thereupon took the floor and spoke
right out regarding the action of the
absentees. He stated that he believed
It was purely scheme to block prog
-ess of the commission After he had
his mind freely upon the
matter, calm was restored sufficient
" to announce an adjournment until
Monday evening.