Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1902-03-09
ALEssoN FROM PORTO RICO.

LESSON FROM PORTO RICO.
Less than a couple of years ago
during the campaign of 1900, the
Democratic section of the press was
filed with columns of scare head stor
les about the starving Porto Ricans
and the depression in Porto Rico, all
OF which was attributed to the annexa.
ton of the island by the United States
and the application of American laws.
The Foraker act continued all Spanish
laws in force until amended or repeal.
ed by the local legislative assembly.
But little thing like the truth is
quickly turned aside by Democratic
campaigners.
But the legal system of Porto Rico
is fast coming into close harmony
with the general principles of law
prevailing in the United States. And
what is the result? MIR. l.. S. Rowe,
chairman of the law and revision com.
mission OF Porto Rico, says that the
feeling Of buoyancy now prevalent in
Porto Rico stands in marked contrast
with the depression of two years ago.
This is due to the adaptation of Amer.
lean methods and the abandonment of
the Spanish system of government
Mr.. Rowe adds, and this is point
worthy of consideration in Hawaii.
both political parties have come to
the support of the administration and
the leaders pledged support to the
Governor in their efforts for the ad.
vancement of the common interests
of the island"
Here is case where both political
parties have thrown aside their differ.
ences for the common veal of their
common island home. If the Porto
Ricans can set us this example how
much easier it should be for the two
factions of one political party to come
together here for the advancement of
the common interests OF this group of
islands, which is a Territory Of the
United States and should be teaching,
not learning from, Porto Rico.
Most interesting in this connection
is the fact that the feeling of buoy.
ancy which now prevails throughout
Porto Rico is due to the Improvement
Of the credit Of the municipalities, 8s
shown in the San Juan loan. There is
no question of Territorial administra.
ton in Porto Rico II is purely a ques.
ton of good municipal government,
based upon a sound American system
Of legislation. The floating of this San
Juan loan, we are told, will enable the
cities and towns to undertake much.
needed improvements in drainage wa.
ter supply and sanitation It is held
by some that the floating of a Terri.
torial loan at this juncture would
hardly show such an Improvement in
the credit" of Hawaii as was evinced
In the case of the San Juan loan. But
give US the municipalities and let the
cities and towns have the local gov.
eminent. for which they are so anx.
ious, in order to secure "much.necded
improvements in drainage. water sup.
ply and sanitation" and the first loan
of Hawaii can be replaced, in less than
two years, by new issue of bonds
that would show much Improvement
in our credit and effect considerable
saving to the taxpayers.
Try it, Governor Dole. Give the
people what they want.
Don't let II be said thatthe American
citizens of the first island territory an.
nexed to the United States are incapa.
BILE of local self-government.
Don't let II be said that Hawaii can.
not float loan on any terms.
Call a special session Of the IeaisIa.
ture to pass municipal government
law and empowering a bond issue. in.
stead of postponing for two years the
enactment of the inevitable.