The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1902-10-15
LEAPS LIKE CUR7IUS
INTO MUNICIPAL
CHASM
WOULD SAVE TERRITORY FROM
EVILS OF AMATEUR MUNICIPAL
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES HIS EX-
PBRIENCE TO VOTERS ON OAHU

Clarence w. Ashford has announced
himself as a candidate for senator from
the Island of Oahu.
Mr.. Ashford might perhaps claim to
be the candidate of the good govern
ment party" announcing, as he does,
that if elected he will endeavor Ito
promote honest government by honest
officials"
Mr.. Ashford was made citizen OF
the United States a few days ago, and
he counts that he has never lost his
residence in Hawaii since he first came
here quite a number of years ago, not
withstanding an absence of some years
which was ended few months ago.
Mr.. Ashford as the representative OF
the good government party, does not
propose to go securing the federal pre-
serves for issues. Il do not consider
that Governor Dole is an issue in this
election" he said this morning. Il 10
not consider that the legislature has
anything to do with his appointment,
and very little to do with his admins
tration, except as it may concur or not
in his recommendations, or his vetoes
and in so far as the senate may con-
cur or not in his nominations. But he
is appointed by the President of the
United States, and confirmed by the
Senate of the United States, and the
legislature UluSI ldhG nm oIo IL AiiiNH
him, and can do no more than express
its opinion of him if it likes to, wheth-
er that opinion is favorable or untavor-
able"
But the good government party can
didate finds bigger issues to call forth
his efforts than Mr.. Dole
'If the only issue in this campaign
were Governor Dole, l should not both
er myself very much about it, says
irrCr c.
sues. All the partie are committed to
municipal government, and L suppose
we cannot assume that any of them
will break faith. So we may say we
are bound to have municipal legisla-
ton. Municipal government is bound
to increase the cost of government to
some extent. There will be multi
plication of offices and officers and of
the mere machinery of government l
find that a very large number of those
most ardent in their demand for muni-
cipal government are anxious for it be-
cause of what they think they can get
out of it, for the opportunities it Will
offer them for getting their hands into
the public crib 1t is therefore to the
interest of the whole body of citizens,
it is in the interest of good govern
ment, that there be some one or more
in the legislature qualified by the ac-
and participated in municipal govern
m,uL, ~ aIu In so shaping whatever
municipal legislation is enacted, as
that the danger from extravaganza Ol
dishonesty Will be reduced to a mini
mum. All my life, except that spent
in these islands, has been spent where
municipal government exists, and in a
not inconsiderable participation in such
municipal government"
Following which Mr.. Ashford nigh
have said "QuOd erat demonstran
dunn" for did he not make clear the
kind of experience required in sena'
tor and that he had had that kind ol
experience? Wherefore if the voter b'
not blind and incapable of instruction
what more is to be said?
However, some may want details
Let such listen: "A man may practice
law with much success and be wei
Versed and grounded in the law, with
out having lived under or participated
in municipal government. But l d'
not believe that men who know moth
ing of municipal government except
they read charters which come to then
across the sea, are the best fitted t.
draft such charters. Thus it is that
do not concede that a charter drafte'
by such men, at the direction of a po
litical party, and hurled ready mad
at the legislature to be passed Withou
consideration, is necessarily, nor indee
likely to be a good measure. If elect