The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1902-04-21
MUST GO FORWARD.

Z | cOflDlSnlnR Il. % WITCH liG
= can party in the Territory of Hawai-
g comes to pass upon rules which are
govern the party in the future, tn
2 thought which should govern the &C
I tions of the men who hold in thei
hands the destinies of local Republi
canism must be of progressive plans
for the good of party and Territory.
is with this idea that many men who
have given their best efforts for the
|, party now stand for a forward move
Inent and the restriction of participa-
ton in party principles to members OF
the party.
There are two courses open; the one
advocated by the subcommittee of the
Territorial committee. which is in sub
stance the same rule which was adopt
ed after much discussion during the
| night session of the convention. June
| 1st, two years ago, and the other the
stepping forward along the lines which
have been set out in the arguments for
combining the right to a voice in the
| management Of the party to the men
Ewho were standing by their convictions
two years ago. The re-enactment of the
rule passed by the Republican conven-
| ton would mean that the Republican
party elects to stand still. To make
| the rule one based on the American
plan, will stamp the party as progress
sive and should appeal to the inteili-
gence of all voters, who are coming to
the ranks OF the party from conviction
that in it will be found the elements
Of progress and prosperity.
In effect the two rules are the same.
That of two years ago permitted vot-
ers to register as members of precinct
clubs and take part in primaries. That
of today as proposed enlarges this by
permitting all who may have the right
to vote at the election which will be
neld November 4th next to register and
vote at primaries. The effect is the
same. The plain fact seems to be
therefore that the subcommittee has
failed to take into account the varying
conditions which have led up to the
present status of the party. The rules
which were adopted by the convention
of 1900 were meant to control the ac-
lions OF the party during the first COM
paign. 1t was then understood that
after that election there would have to
be changes, for the Territorial commit
tee was specifically given the right to
change all rules, and acting under this
authorization subcommittee was ap-
pointed.
Members of the convention which |
made the local Republican party are |
unanimous in the opinion that the rules |
were framed for the purpose Of meet |
ing then existing conditions. There |
had been no alignment of members of |
parties. The parties themselves had |
not been formed as they now stand. |
1t would have been shortsighted to |
narrow the lists of members of the |
precinct clubs. for the simple reason |
that there was no standard by which |
might be measured. What |
ever the result is wes accepted by the |
members OF the party and under the /
rule the first campaign was fought.
with varying fortune.
Now all this is changed. The Repub-
lican party Is an entity. There is a
measure by which men may be told as
Republicans or members of other par
/
The reactionaries OF RepubIicanism
would try and force upon the party
1 rule which would throw open all
ioors for entrance into the inner ceun-
ills of men who have never been iden-
flied with the party. and who take no
;reat obligation in the enrolment of
heir names on the club lists. To the
'recinct clubs Is given the election Of
eIegates to the conventions. the selec-
Ion OF district committeeman and the
eneral work OF the campaign. Their
ct:vity and effect is just what the
Ten who are in places OF prominence
nd weight in the clubs make them. i
ut at the head OF the precinct club 4
ian who is eager for the good of the \
arty and he will manage to stir up
II the officers and members, so that F
here will be a close registration OF V
oters in the precinct, and the vote will
2 got out in the fall. Give the head
nip to one who feels little interest in ,
lie party, or to a traitor to the organ
alton. and the result can be only the
llling off in the interest which must
e aroused through the precinct MEM I
ers taking the campaign to heart and a
ushing il along. =
The men who are urging the Republi- a
an party to stand still, to put the $,
over in the hands Of the few men "
no might cause the ringing in of \
-ome Rulers and Democrats for the o
urpose of capturing a nomination. =
ould be the very first to make OBJ :,
.ction, il there should be a majority n
'lonized against them. They cannot
ope to make Republicans by a stroke
the pen. yet they urge the party to
i've to men who have never done SER
Ice for it the right to vote upon the
ames OF the men who will control its
estinies- II this is progress then the
sct that there was formed and con- 7
rmed Republican party two years Il
90 counts for nothing. There cannot $
? dual status Either a man is or -
not a Republican. II he is he voted q