The Honolulu republican. [volume] (Honolulu, T.H.) 1900-1902, 1901-06-19
DR.. JoRDANs SUGGESTION.

The suggestion OF DIR. David Starr
Jordan that IL would be a good thing
for Hawaii TO be made part OF the
State OF California is one deserving
of the most serious consideration by
the people of these Islands Accord
ing to the decision OF the United
States Supreme Court. recently render
ed in the Porto Rican and Hawaiian
cases. Territories are the sole Great
ures of Congress. and Congress has
right to levy duties upon the articles
imported into or exported from the
Territories TO the States Under this
decision Hawaii is again in the
position where she was when she had
only treaty of reciprocity providing
for the free admission of her great
staple, sugar. into the United States.
One OF the chief causes of annexa-
ton was the uncertainty of reciprocity
and the unsettled condition of affairs
here. II was not known when a Con-
gress might be elected which would
be unfavorable to the reciprocit
treaty and provide. for its annulment
II was believed that through annexa-
ton a stability would be reached un.
der which the Islands would prosper
as never before. Now comes the Su.
preme Court decision which places us
under practically the same conditions
as before annexation. The present
Congress might. IL it saw fit. provide
for a duty on Hawaiian sugar. just as
ii does on sugar from Porto Rico.
Were Hawaii 10 be made part of
the State of California nothing OF this
sort could be done. We would then
be part and parcel of sovereign
State and without the pale of Con-
gressional legislation. only such as af-
fects the general state of the union.
There are other considerations of
great Importance. If Hawaii were
made a part OF the State of California
the people would elect their local of
ficers. including judges, instead of
having them appointed. and they would
elect their pro rata of members OF the
State Legislature. We wouln secure
at once an excellent code of civil and
criminal laws. The Supreme Court of
the State could hold sessions in Ha-
wall once year. just as 1t now holds
sessions In San Francisco and Los
Angeles. We would have member OF
Congress with vote on the floor in
stead Of delegate without vote.
II would not be unreasonable to
presume that Hawaii might have one
OF the United States Senators for the
State large portion OF the time. At
ter the great growth of the southern
counties of California following the
boom OF 1857. the southern part OF
the State began demanding one of the
two Senators. who previous to that
had always resided in the San Fran
cisco region. Beginning with the cleo
ton Of Stephen NJ. White In 1898.
Southern California has had one OF
the two Senator'S continuously ever
since 1t is not unreasonable to sup
pose that ia q deadlock between the
aorth and the south OF the State over
Senator both sections would
agree upon q nsn from Hawaii for
the position. But granting that this
would never occur. the members OF the
Legislature from this part OF the state
would be powerful enough TO prevent
the election of any man 70 the Senate
who would not be friendly to these Is
lands.
BY becoming part OF the State Of
California. county government and
city government for Honolulu and
Hilo could be established at ofce. un-
der most excellent laws and without
friction. snd home rule for the people
put into practical eject
The Republican would be glad 10
have the people express their opinions
upon this question. and TO this cad
throws its columns open for commu-