Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1902-03-16

dkOs 10 a utVl VIM II q WI f'' "Ni'A
assumes for improvements, which
double the value Of its property, bad
investment? We already have spent
the money and have the debt with
nothing to show for our money but an
infected port. and a reputation for a
city so insanitary as to be fertile in
epidemics. Now We propose to spend
the money and have the debt in the ef.
fort to have as clean, sanitary and
beautiful a city heer as anywhere in
the world.
Board Of Freeholders.
There should be no good reason
why a board of freehOlders with one
representative from each political par.
ty-Republican. Democratic, Home
Rulers and Tndependent-one represen.
tative each from Bar Association,
Teachers Association. Chamber OF
Commerce. Mercantile Association.
Planters Association, Associated Char.
tiles ami labor organizations, all free.
holders. may not frame a charter EN-.
bodying representation OF all local
needs, and mindful of the ends for
which we desire clean, advanced
city government.
Excellent as the charter drawn by
the Republican party last year Ger.
tainly is In many respects, the provl.
sion in several departments practical.
ly defeats the ends for which organiza.
ton is desired. while other as impor.
tant departments are without any pro.
vision whatever.
However. space does not permit here
a discussion of the merits of that char,
ter. 1t may be said in passing that
like so many American charters IL
will, should II be adopted soon prove
its inadequacy.
II is apparent that there is a power.
full anti.charter sentiment in the city.
II does not appear that this arises
from any question as to the value of
organization so much as a very natur
al prejudice against the minority vote
of property holders being represented
In the Council by the majority vote OF
non.property holders.
Three Class Electorate System.
The municipal council Is the leglsla.
tive, executive and administrative
body of municipal government. Just as
the board of directors is the executive
and administrative body OF private
corporations. II Is extremely impor
tant that representation in the council
is assured by the charter as nearly as
may be of those interests for the pres
ervation OF which civil law exists viz.
life and property. II II be true as Is
contended. that property interests IL
Honolulu are in the minority, and tina
a majority vote would leave propert!
interests without representation In tn,
council, this can be remedied by what
is known as election of council by
three class electorate system"
/ In the three class system the city Ii
divided into electorate districts. The
voters are listed in the order OF the
sums they pay for taxes. the heaviest
taxpayer heading the list, which ter
inmates with the poll tax payer. The
list Of voters Is then divided into three
classes on basis Of the sum paid fol
taxes. The limits OF each class may
of course be optional. with the proyi
sion that the heaviest taxpayers form
one class; the large body Of medium
taxpayers a second class; the smaller
and poll taxpayers a third class. Eacl
Of the three classes elects its third o
the council from a general ticket i
Is apparent that this gives fair repre-
sentation in the council oil the inter
ests OF life and property.
Difference and Resemblance.
II may be useful to note some points
of difference and resemblance between
the English, French. German ant
American systems OF executive gov
eminent in cities. The English cleo
only a council. which adds to itself al
dermen In the proportion OF one-sixtl
of its own number.
The council chooses one OF its owl
number for mayor. appoints the head
of the great departments such a
health, public works and all high offi
cials, which are chosen on pure merit
often from distant cities. These ex
pert chiefs organize each his depart
ment in detail and superintend III
operation. They are In constant toucl
with the chairmen Of their supervising
council committees and always atten,
committee meetings.
The French system elects the mt
nicipal council only. The council DIES
I ignates the mayor from among il
I own number and also appoints fror
its own body group of the most eN
perienced members to serve as at
| juncts to the mayor and form wilt
him a corps executif The mayor Il
turn assigns to each adjunct superv
, sion of a department of the muniTiD