The Honolulu republican. [volume] (Honolulu, T.H.) 1900-1902, 1901-03-24
A SUDDEN CONVERSION.


What was the surprise of the Legis
lature yesterday when the Committed
on Public Lands announced that Il
had received a request from Governor
Dole TO call at his Office so that he
could give information asked by the
Legislature concerning the trip OF
Land Commissioner Brown to Wash
ington, When the committee called
on His Excellency il found him more
than willing to answer any and all
questions A few days ago the Gov
ernor sent a communication 20 the
legislature purporting to be from the
Governor, but signed by his Private
Secretary. refusing to furnish any in
formation about Mr.. Browns trip.
This on the ground that the request
was not in such shape" that II
could be answered This was follow
ed by a second communication pu--
porting TO come from the Governor.
and signed by one Sanford B. Dole. in
which second refusal to furnish the
information desired was communicate
ed to the Legislature Naturally
enough when this sudden change of
front was announced this morning it
caused much wonderment.
But the whyness OF the wherefore is
the result of a communication from
Washington yesterday. or rather of
several communications from Wash
ington. The Republican betrays 20
confidence when II tells its readers
that the authorities at Washington
have become very weary of the re-
quests and complaints from the Dole
administration in Hawaii and a gentle
hint was conveyed in the mail yester
day that there must be less friction
between the executive and legislative
branches of the government OF this
Territory or something might happen.
II was gently suggested that the legis-
lature had a right to demand any in
formation In the hands of the Cover
nor or Secretary. or any member of
the Governors official family that il
might see fit TO ask for OF course 1t
is wise man who can drop gracefully
and Mr.. Dole found it no trouble at all
TO turn a somersault in his attitude
towards the legislature.
Another subject that the Governor
received some advice on from Wash
ington was in regard to turning over
the custom house TO the Federal Off
Gals Governor Dole is not the only
one who received a line from Wash
ington on this subject, for Collector
Stackable also received letter tell
ing him that his contention that the
custom house was the property of the
Federal government was correct and
that the Governor had been instructed
TO issue the necessary proclamation.
In connection with the custom house
The Republican viii relate little UNI
written history TO its readers. Some |
two months ago Mr.. Meyer. special |
agent OF the Department of Justice,
came here in the interest of the De-
partment OF Justice and of the Treas
ury to look after the quarters for the !
custom house and for the United |
States Court. In company with vari- |
Gus United States officials he held a |
conference with Governor Dole when
il was agreed that the United States |
court should continue in. the quarters |
IL az present occupies without further |
ado. the Federal government not - |
make demand for the building. while |
the custom house was TO be turned |
over TO the Collector. In this confer.
ence Governor Dole agreed to put his |
promise in writing and 10 send let
Ger to Mr., Meyer formally turning over
the custom house to the Collector.
This letter was 10 be written and plas- !
ed in Mr.. Meyers hands the next das |
after the conference. but he failed TO |
receive IT, Time dragged on and after
waiting week or more Mr.. Moyer (,
called on the Governor TO ask why the /
promised letter had never been sent |
him. The Governor excused himself |
sn> told how he had neglected writ
ing. but again promising to write the |
letter the next day. But Il aid not
come the next eay. and then Mr.. Mos
er informed the Governor thar he had
TO leave on the boat to sail within
twenty-four hours and could not wait
any longer for the promised letter.
Governor Dole again assured Mr.. Moy- /
er that he should have the letter be-
fore he sailed. but Il was never sent
10 him.
Naturally one can imagine the re-
port Mfr. Meyer sent 10 Washington on
his treatment By Governor Dole and
he wiiful breaking OF promises that
we're never intended to be kept wher
they we're made. II is the betrayal Of
no confidence 10 say that 4 certain
Federal onscial not far from the Gus
Tom hoase also sent q statement 10
the Treasury Department relating the
treatment accorded Mr.. Meyer ana
The breaking a repeated promises 70
burn he custom house over to the