The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1901-12-17
LEGISLATION IN CAMERA.

Home Rule idiosyncracy is approach
ing the limit, when members of the eX-
ecutive committee of that body propose.
as soberly as they can, to pass upon all
bills which failed during the last ses-
sion. and then pledge their party nom
irees to rush through measures so pre-
pared. without alteration, in the event
of another Home Rule majority. In
such a method of procedure there lies
a danger which viii not fail of appre-
citation by the thinking people of the
Territory. and with contemplation the
proposed pilibia viii increase.
In a word, the proposal of the Home
Rulers IS that the executive committee
OF that party shall take up and con-
slider the various laws. which IL was
intended to pass at the last session.
amend them II necessary, and then
dragon the would-be members of the
next Legislature into a promise to pass
the measures. This would mean. judg-
ing from past meetings Of the executive
committee that twenty men would have
the passing OF such important measures
as may come up. loan bills. license
measures. appropriation laws. all IN eX-
ecutive session, without the aid OF
yigiIant and watchful minority.
Couple with a series of bills so pre-
pared a membership in the Legislature
such rs characterized the present one
and the friends OF orderly government
well may shudder for the future.
What ism. what OloEy would escape
enactment by such a combination. To
run over a few possibilities: The very
first thing Il be taken up would be a
city and county government measure.
Such a measure would be loaded down
cumulative voting. with bonding privl-
leges and labor conditions until its gen
eral provisions are unintelligibIe. It
would be such bill that would make
men living in the Territory and owning
property want to sell out and live afoat
outside the three-mile limit. When II
came out OF the executive committee.
there would be nothing wanting in the
way OF spe cial privileges to boat boys
hack drivers and fishermen. and the
only chance that. there might be an
amendment offered to II would be that
some POpulistic. social democratic ism
lad been left out by mistake.
another point which would not be
overlooked would be a general labor
law. undoubtedly on the lines OF the
Australian legislation. which has caus-
ed so much trouble this year. There are
among the ElElSn speaking mem DerS
Of the executive committee many who
are studying those same Australasian
laws and have expressed great faith In
their efficacy. Yet no one who visits
Australia or New Zealand but returns
with the opinion that II Is a labor-rid
den country.
Taxation Is a question which would
ofTer n field than which none is more
fertile for the haif-baked political econ
omist- From the single tax theories OF
George down to the female dog exemp-
ton the ganut would be run. The peo-
pie might expect 4 tax on wells. since
water Is the source OF wealth here. an
other on vehicles based on the width OF
tires and an export tax on any products
which could not be consumed at homo
Given group OF fanatics. ignorant
honest men and poltroons and the 70 ,
sultant taxation measure prepared in
camera might we'll Brighten away any
possible Intending investor or citizen
Il Is not necessary TO argue from the
past record OF the party what might be
expected in the future. There is moth
ing beyond the limit. there can be no
rare conjecture as 20 the border line. Il
Is enough that the declaration OF fnten-
ton VIII arm the people 20 combat the
possible da--a-