The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1902-01-07
CIRCULAR SENT
TO SHERIFFS

Acknowledgement Dole has sent to
High Sheriff Brown and the Deputy
Sheriffs of all the islands, and all otii-
Gals in his department a circular let
ter strongly urging strict economy
wherever possible. In his letter he
states that the increase in population
and consequent increase in crime has
caused an additional expense in his de-
partment. In order to keep within the
appropriation a general reduction in
expenses is ordered.
The following is a copy of the letter:
Territory OF Hawaii
Office of the Attorney General
Honolulu, H. l., Jan. 9Th, 1902.
Dear Sir:-The rapid increase of popu-
lation; the large influx of dsorderly and
criminal characters: the failure of the
legislature to reduce most misdemeanors
under the laws of the Republic of Ha-
wall to the grade of misdemeanors under
the constitution of the United States,
making 1t necessary to prosecute petty
oHenses If prosecuted at all, by the ex-
pensive machinery of "A grand jury: the
Introduction OF the grand jury system it.
self: the enormous growth of court bust
ness, with protracted, extended and spe-
cial terms: the conflicting decisions in
advance in the price of beef, poi and 9TH
err prison supplies and various necessa-
ries of the departmental these things
make II possible for us to keep within
our appropriations only by the most
painstak!ng economy.
The expenditures of the attorney gen.
erals department for the year 1900 were
100000 less than the pro rata of the
appropriations for it's support, a saving
of frina hn ~. h,,p r.l
dollars q month. Our present appropria-
lions are less and our expenses are great
err. The bills for December 1901, are not
yet all In; but during the five preceding
months. July, August, September. Octo-
Der and November, we spent only $l978i
less than the pro rata of our appropria-
tons. saving of only 1886 month
This Is living very close to our possible
average income and leaves nothing for
unforeseen and extraordinary emergen-
cies.
During these five months we spent
sllSo.t6 more than our pro rata for the
support and maintenance of prisoners,
SlGil5l more than our pro rata for
incidental civil and criminal expenses,
and S237.G2 more than our pro rata for
expenses of witnesses in criminal cases.
"A total excess of our pro rata on these
three appropriations OF 50, o97.79; and il IL
only by saving on other appropriations
that We have kept within the sum total
of our pro rata.
By careful administration 1t is believ-
ed that the Territorial treasury will be
able to meet the most pressing demands,
and that public improvements will not be
delayed TO the serious prejudice OF public
interests. But to do this requires good
hnanciering and that all Territorial off,
Gals shall work together for the com
mon welfare. At a recent executive meet
Ing the whole subject was gone over with
a view of cutting down expenses pro
rata. The reduction assigned to our de-
partment is $4,000 a month for January
February and March of this year.
l feel that whatever success 1 have had
as attorney general is due to the honest
and loyal support of the department NJ
a whole: that it was almost impossible
for me to utterly fail with such good
Neutenants as l have had; and, in view
OF existing financial conditions, | ask
cordial aid In the endeavor to keep down
expenses in all ways that may be Just
and proper and that do not interfere
with the efficiency of our work.
The appropriation for civil and crimi-
nal incidentals Is, so to speak, the pin
money of the department, which one ON
cial may spend lavishly, with honest in
tent. and another economic, without
meanness. The appropriation for wit
nesses in criminal cases Is necessar ily
drawn upon heavily. perhaps to the full
limit under new conditions: but constant
watchfulness in all Circuit and District
Courts that witnesses are not kept on ex-
pense when they are not needed. results
In the course of year in a substantial
saving. An average saving of even a
nickel In the dollar on our appropriations
as whole, would materially aid the pub
lie treasury and leave our department
with a safe margin to It's credit Let US
try to save the nickel
am sending copy of this letter 20
all the chief officials OF the department
Thanking you In advance for the atten-
ton which know you will give to this
matter. am. ~
~ = VERY truly yours.
f p. DOLE.