The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1901-03-04
AT T ACkS
BILLS.
A Japanese Writes
on Message Of
Dole.

-DITOR ADVERTISER:-Of all the
l. important bills that are being
presented and will be presented
at this session of the Legislature,
the most important one to the Japa-
nese and Chinese residents as well as
to the commercial interests of the
Territory of Hawaii, is the fire claims
bill. The readers of local newspapers
have no doubt read the message OF
Governor Dole to the Legislature of the
Territory of Hawaii. The local papers
have expressed their opinions in regard
to the Governors message, and, as a
citizen of the Territory, l feel that
have the right and a privilege guaran-
teed me to freely express my views and
opinions. I wish particularly to dwell
upon the Governors treatment of the
fire claims.
He says that the Territory is not
legally bound to pay any claims, but
that he would recommend the Legisla-
ture to give relief to the innocent suf-
ferers by appropriating money in the
shane of a bounty. The views of many
people well versed in International and
affairs take the opposite
view of the Governor They are of the
opinion that the Government is legally
bound to pay the just claims OF the
sufferers. AS layman, / believe that
the Territory of Hawaii is not only le-
gally but is morally bound to pay to
the claimants the damages sustained
by them through the arbitrary and
Czar-like actions of the Board of
Health in the suppression of the bu-
bonic plague.
The great conf1agration Of January
90, 1900, which Is still fresh in our
minds, was caused by the gross care
lessness and inadequate measures
adopted by the Board of Health. On
the 9th ult. Republican Representative
Gilfllan of Honolulu, introduced the
following blouse Bal ~ in the House
of Representatives: can act to provide
for q commission to take evidence con-
jcerning injuries to property caused by
the action of the Board of Health in
connection with the suppression Of The
bubonic plague in Honolulu and else
where in this Territory, and by the con-
migration in Honolulu on January 20,
1900 and to report thereon" Before
making any further comments, the bill
is incomplete in one most material re-
spect. The measure merely provides
for the establishment of commission
to examine and report upon the claims
Ito the Governor. BY title and by spe
lcific provision it is not a bill to deter
mine and to provide means for paying
the claims. The proposed bill as
whole is, to my opinion, unfavorable
and unjust to the claimants but very ia
vorable to the Territory of Hawaii and
ito the Governor. 1t appears that the
House bill introduced by Representa-
tive Gilfillan is, to a great extent, sim
liar and coincident with the views of
the unfavorable order of the court of
claims of last year created by Govern
or Dole. There are certain sections of
the proposed bin which would be i'm
possible and quite difficult to carry
out. Take section s for instance. This
section might be operative if it took
place Immediately after the great fire
where the people were at that time con-
centrated.
At present a great number are scat
tered over the Islands; many have re-
turned to Japan, SO that in the major
1ty of cases personal attendance before
the commission would be either diff
cult and expensive or practically i'm
possible. Section II is very objection
able. 1t makes the Board of Health
at once a Judge and jury in matters
Wherein it is, in one sense, defendant.
Sections u and 13, compelling the
claimants to pay certain fees, are GER
tainly not equitable. 1t Is Identical
with the rules adopted by the last abor-
tive commission.
| believe that the above considera-
|tions are sufficient to show that it is a
measure which in justice to claimants
ana with due regard for fair play ought
not to be allowed to become a law.
without intending to impugn the mo-
tives of its trainers, it may be stated
that on the surface at least, it has the
appearance of measure designed TO
postpone and not to promote the
prompt adjudication of just and legal
obligations. 1t is a pity that a gener-
Gus provision for the payment of the
gentlemen who are tol examine the
claims was made and that the Trainer
did not at least give some hint of what |
arrangement is to be made to pay the
claimants. l have reason to believe |
that the Japanese claimants, through |
their authorized committee. coincide
ana agree with my views. l have rea-
son to believe also that if, unfortun- |
ately, House bill passes and becomes
law, no claim will be presented by
the Japanese before such commission.
Unoer the circumstances could thev
ne olamed for taking such actions? I !
say mat they have perfect right and !
are entirely justified to pursue such a |
course In such event.
IL the legislators are bound by their
respective party platforms adopted nv
CIR q. the une OF their election, they
"'t outy pound to make speedy set
''ent OF the fire Claims" BY the
hi.l If Gilfllan it is not known VIZ,
the claims are to be paid. It makas
me r...l ind of the French claims wban
they ere handed down from father To
then to grandchildren eto