Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1902-10-24
A COMPLICATED SITUATION.

Secretary OF the IerrltOry VIII uOuDt-
less bring to focus and final determi-
nation by proper Federal authorities
the much discussed question of the
regularity of recent official proceedings |
at the Capitol.
The Bulletin is satisfied that Secre-
tary Cooper has no personal desire to |
make of himself the pooh-bah of the |
Territory though he at the present time
is a very close approach to the whole |
/ thing" in the administration of two
of the most important Territorial de-
partments. Cooper jumped into the
breach temporarily when the whole
official list was as near chaos as it
could possibly be. The Governor call
ed on Secretary Cooper as a right hand
man to serve in an emergency, but as
this emergency period has steadily
heightened, days, weeks and almost
months, the general public very natu-
rally begins to wonder and thought
fully discuss whether our Organic Act
allows the Territorial Governor to run
all the departments through his per-
sonal agent and that agent, an APP
pointee of and paid by the Federal Gov
eminent.
1t has been stated on good authority
that some months ago when Secretary
Cooper served temporarily as Treas
urer the Federal Government offered no
objection, and It is also stated on equal
ly good authority that the withdrawal
Of J. J. Dunno from assistant counsel
before the Fire Claims Commission was
due to an intimation from Washington
that the Assistant United States Dis
trict Attorney could not properly hold
Federal and Territorial position at
: the same time. We thus have prece-
:. dents bearing on both sides of the
/. question.
o An added complication, however, is
s the Governors action in formally sus.
8 pending one official, and assuming an
attitude toward Superintendent BOYD
which amounts TO suspension. II the
;. Governor can suspend Boyd without
. the consent of the Territorial Semte
q there seems to be nothing to prevent
y judged from his apparent course oil
reasoning, his removing Boyd or any
other department head from office, de-
d spite the wording of the Organic Act
n that removals from Office shall be made
y by and with the advice and consent OF
= the Territorial Senate. This interpre.
Is tation of the Governors authority
places a most arbitrary power at his
command, more arbitrary indeed thar
N that possessed by any other American
y Territorial Governor, and little short o
D. military rule under martial law. Tn
II Governor becomes a king immediatel
n following the adjournment OF tn
Legislature. II for any reason he di
not approve officials sanctioned by tn
W Legislature he could suspend an ap
C. pointee pending investigation" 70
ne any cause make the suspension indie
as finite, place in office a man not sane
ry toned by the Senate and thus defea
the spirit and intent of the Organi
Act.
'e The situation is complex and is pal
ne ticularly unpleasant on account of tn
II use that Is made of II by political OF
)" ponents to stir up prejudice. Homes
III men differ in the construction to
placed upon the Organic Act and tn
majority will be satisfied with the ru
ing which may be made by the Federi
= authorities or of the local courts in II
=, Austin case. Public sentiment, how
ever, is framing in such a way that
will be a political error for the Co
ernor to further delay in the appoin
ment OF a permanent successor
~ Treasurer Wright. There is no dou
~ about the Office OF Treasurer being VI
10 cant and every day the Governor d
80 lays making a permanent appointme
'' furnishes so much more material whit
"" ", is being worked by the opponents Of Il
y" Republican party.
SENATORIAL HANDCAR