The Hawaiian gazette., 1902-01-28
CHINESE
IN JANGLE
The United Society
May be in a
Fight.

officers of the United Chinese Society
whose tenure Treasurer Wright decides
is imperfect, will make a legal fight for
place. In other words, they want to
know whether or not they have any
backing before they go into the ring.
Treasurer Wright in the exercise of
legal authority over the society. last
Saturday ordered that there be held
another meeting for the purpose of
electing officers, on the ground that the
last meeting was not in accord with
the law. This decision was reached
after a long consultation and hearing.
The protestants against the methods
which have been ruling In the past
were present, and through their attor-
ney, l.. A. Andrews, presented the facts
of the meeting. They showed that
there was no record of the men who
had voted being members of the socie-
ty, and that the trustees were not le-
gally chosen.
Attorney General Dole had rendered
an opinion recommending non-interfer-
ence, but Treasurer Wright found in
the charter of the society clause CIV
ing him, or his predecessor the Minis
ter of the Interior. the right to veto
any election of officers when the off,
cials were not suitable men In his
opinion. This was the clause which he
followed in making his decision that
the recent election was void, as indi-
Gated in his letter printed below.
When the decision was made there
was CONSERVATION in the camp of the
Bow Wongs, and confidence in that Of
the supporters of the Consul in the
society. Possession Is nine points, and
the attorneys for the majority party,
Atkinson & Judd, told the officials that
there seemed reason for their seeing
whether or not the merchants would
stand behind them, and II so, to make |
fight for the control. This seemed to |
be the feeling of the members of the |
official body, and 1t was decided yes
terday afternoon that either Thursday
or Friday of this week there should be
meeting of the Chinese to give their
decision. which shall determine the
matter.
AS the matter now stands the affairs
OF the society are In a terrible tangle,
for the reason that there Is no record
OF any new trustees being elected for
the purpose of keeping the board filed,
or of the resignation OF the old officials.
This. 1t is held, on the part OF the Con-
sufs party, turns back the affairs to
the hands of the trainers of the society
seventeen years ago. Should this be
done, there will be found to be only
twelve of the original fifteen men in the
country. The others have gone before
to China. The survivors are Goo Kim.
be the head; c. Wal MIN. who would
be treasurer and Ii Cheung, who
would be secretary. with YIN Quon.
Loo Chit Sam, Wong Chun. Wong
leong, Wong Kwock, Lum Fai. Y.
Amin. Ho Sun and l.. Ahlo. These
trustees have given over the control
Of the society long ago.
The officers of the society elected re-
Gently, with their affiliations. as given
by one of them. are: c. *. Al, Bow ,
Wong vice president: Y. Kee Kim, un-
known, secretary; Low Tung, Bow |
Wong, assistant secretary: Chun Kang l
Hon, treasurer; Ho Fon, assistant /
treasurer: Wong Chez. none OF whom '
are Bow Wongs The officers say this I
iisproves that 1t is Bow Wong raid t
IN the society. Il
The facts at the bottom of the affair i
are that there grew up many years '
Ago peculiar style of doing business I
IN the society. When 1t became hard 5
10 get quorum of the old trustees, 1t
was the custom of Goo Kim to ask !,
some of the other merchants to come
n and help at the soclety's work. Later =
Presidents took the same course. and as
here were no records made there was 4,
pon membership which was pecu- II
lar. As the older men abandoned the T.
work. the younger ones took II up and n
here the matter lies. The decision that I,
he course OF Good Kim followed these h
ears, was wrong. upsets the entire W
fairs Of the society. and there must
" either reversion to the old trus- cl
aes. or a hard fight to establish men, n
ership roll, from which voters may It
e known. 1t Is alleged resolution OF
'as passed instructing Goo Kim to .
ave the charter so amended that there III
ould be Indefinite membership. some US
ears ago, but nothing was done. dl
u L.,
y, 1t Is said. who favor the side of sa
lie Consul against the Bow Wongs h
ut II Is believed that even IL this Ia 10
he case there must be established
'me rule for the admission of men, WI
ers, and then the young men will ir'
Ike possession of the society. The ~
roperty OF the society is in the names III VI
the old trustees, and not of the So ''e e
ETY., and this never has been trans w, oU
,rred The fact is stated that at the do do
'eeting referred to the men who won w,
ac thirty-three votes, and the object Gc
rs only seven votes. The society has ~
cen In the hands OF the present OBJ n,
'ctors until recently, and they are now II,
,und to be not members as well as IN
le others. ~. -.
rms may Interfere with the official n
CELEBRATION of the Chinese New Year. wi
the United Society takes a foremost tn
art each year. IL
treasurer Wrlghts letter says: m,
January "a, 1902 co
"Gentlemen:-It having been brought lie,
my attention that for some years back We
'ur society has violated its bylaws in tr
gard to the election of officers and that rit
e present officers arc illegally elected, oh
therefore, under the power given me on
your charter. veto the election of off, be
RS forwarded by you to me and direct no
lat another election be held In strict en-
,nformity with your bylaws. al,
= further call your attention to the 7
u ast that In order to legally elect your Pc
hcers none but duly elected members be
ave the right to vote at said meeting NJ
nd that all the officers named in your se
'-iaws should be elected. m,
Very respectfully. re-
WIN. II. WRIGHT, ta
treasurer Of the Territory of Hawaii W.,
70 ths United Chinese Society, Homo stl
tai
dis