Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1902-09-27

The lack OF confidence inspired by
the revelations made during the past
few weeks regarding the conduct of the
financial affairs of public departments
does not cast a more serious reflection
upon the Hawaiian-American than
upon the haole. The idea of dividing
the responsibility on racial lines is I'M
fair and on account of the degree OF
prejudice already existing-is decidedly
unfortunate. II the situation is to be
measured up on these lines, the status
Is two to one against the haole or white
man at the present time. An array on
racial division can only confuse. II
will not solve the problems of duty.
Our form OF government has been
regarded as the simplest and, its special
advocates have claimed, the most COM
plete that can be framed. 1t has been
presented to the public at home and
abroad to be as nearly perfect in its APP
plication to our conditions as could be
framed. 1t has been offered as the
product OF years of experience, exem-
plifying high ideals with successful
practice. Many have felt that having
accomplished a good degree Of success
with our centralized government, the
Territory is prepared to go forward on
more liberal lines.
In the midst OF all this confidence in
ourselves, the public is brought stand
ing to the realization OF the fact that
this supposedly solid basis is a beauti'
tul shell with a core that offers prac-
tically little protection against dishon-
esty, incapacity and corruption. We
find ii possible for officials to commit
and condone some OF the most serious
offenses known to governmental ad-
ministration. 1t is a rude awakening
that skaters the ideals OF the past and
skaters confidence in the future. Men
begin to ask themselves, after hay
ing scored such failures with a CON-
paratiyely simple centralized govern
ment, what can be expected from the
community, irrespective of its racial
divisions, in branching out upon UNI
tried grounds. The responsibility falls
no less forecfully upon the legislative
failure to enact than upon the execu-
tive lack Of attention, or the citizens
failure to demand. There is no use
trying to shift the burden to a race or
q faction, because men of keen political
insight can't be mislead by the record
OF facts, and the recognized RESPONSE.
bilities OF officials and citizens. Gov
eminent OF any form is or should be
first, last and always a business propo-
sltion. And the business details of the
present government OF Hawaii are now
proved to have been carried on SO
loosely, as to allow most distressing
smash-up.
AS previously stated by this paper
the developments are such as to cause
honest citizens to hesitate. 1t leads
them to question whether II Is better
TO stop and perfect the present machin-
cry or make clean sweep of the pres
ent system and establish a new out
ft. So far as the Governor and other
Federal executive appointees are con-
cerned, they are accountable to the
President whose able advisors OF the
United States Senate are in a position
to speak with an exact knowledge
of the facts and correctly reflect the
sentiment of the community.
The citizen, the voter Of Hawaii Is
in the position where he must move
forward. He can't stand still. The
demonstration is already too clear that
he has done too much standing round
and not properly appreciated his civic
duty. Each and every citizen must
therefore put his shoulder to the wheel
and push forward to the mark of vigor-
Gus reform. Wreck OF confidence and A
new forms of government are facts we
must face, One to restore, the other
TO create, County and municipal gov
eminent is approached with much more
dubious feelings than was the case a
few weeks ago, But political organlza-
tions have pledged themselves and the
moral and actual obligation to act has
been registered. There can be no turn
ing back without as complete a viola
ton of trust as the. which has been
exemplifed by officials who have been
derelict in their duty.
The chief lesson OF the hour is the
duty that should come home to
every citizen-a full realization of the