The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1901-04-27

work in this matter. The Democrats in
sist that the cable should be laid only
as far as Honolulu and under the owner
ship OF the Government. while the Re-
publicans prefer to have the cable laid
! through to the Philippines by private
parties, the Government offering a sub
sidy. Until these conflicting ideas can
be reconciled it is not likely that any
thing will be accomplished. It is neces-
sary. however, to keep up agitation of
the question, constantly showing the
great need and demand for a cable.
Haroor improvements can only be OBJ
tanned by recommendation of the War
Department, and no appropriation can
be obtained for construction until sur
veys are first completed; but there was
an item in the Harbor and River bill
to survey all our harbors, but the whole
bin was defeated by Senator Carter of
Montana. (All this takes time and pa
t-ence9
Public buildings can be obtained when
recommended by the proper Department,
but it is impossible to get such recon-
mendatien until the city where they are
proposed to be located offers a reason
able option on the grounds. Congress
VII not pay fancy prices for real es-
tate; neither will it locate public build
ings on grounds which are not suited
for the purpose. If Honolulu wants
public building much will depend upon
the offer made by its citizens.
/ The redemption of Hawaiian silver Is
question that is only important to bank
ers and mercantile men in Hawaii.
When I made inquiry at the Treasury
department for the purpose OF obtain
Ing recommendation on this matter,
Mr. Gage, the Secretary OF the Treas
ury, said to me, why do you people In
Hawaii want the Hawaiian dollar ex-
changed for American silver? It circu-
lates in Hawaii at par and is therefore
not only as good as American silver. but
better, for the reason that 1t will re-
main in Hawaii and can not be shipped
cut. You always have the assurance
tAat there is a million dollars of silver
In circulation in the Territory" When
great financier Of recognized ability
entertains these views, is it not prudent
Tor US TO pause and give lie matter
some thought?
AN ITEM WAS PLACED IN THE
APPROPRIATION BILL for a REVE-
NUE. CUTTER. but for the reason that
the bill was unusually large, these items
would have passed. When the Confer
ence Committee commenced trimming
the bill down, Hawaii suffered some loss.
hut was by no means alone in this re-
spect; other localities shared a similar
late, and at that late stage OF Congress
there was no help for IT. We can only
40 as others-try again.
Pearl Harbor improvements. We must
recognize the fact that this Is United
states property, and that IN strict
sense We should keep our hands of. The
Federal Government will move IN the
matter as rapidly or as leisurely as 1t
sees fit No amount of anxiety on our
part VIII hasten the work. It Is well TO
ne on the alert, and urge 1t as much as
prudent, but at the same time we
: must be careful not to exhibit our sell
: Ish views toe prominently. when the
: Navy and War Departments commence
10 act in the matter we will see busy
urnes in Pearl Harbor, but 1t would DC
: foolish for US to undertake to dictate
any course to the Departments.
Last, but not least, / will say fe9s
words on the subject of public lands In
me short course of one evenings taik
II would be quite Impossible to cover
this matter in detail. There seems to
be disposition here in Hawaii to re,