Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1902-02-23

Joseph G. Pratt is one of the citizens
who complied with the request of
George X. Carter to furnish him with
their views on the Hawaiian political
situation for his guidance in conveying
information to President Roosevelt.
Having in conversation with Bulle-
tin reporter divulged the drift of
portion of his letter to the envoy, Mr..
Pratt was induced to place the entire
communication at the disposal of the
Sunday Bulletin with liberty to make
such a summary of its contents a,
might be deemed of public interest.
At the outset Mr.. Pratt states the
proposition that the Importance, to-
gether with the official duties, of the
Governor and other Territorial Off
Gals appointed by the President ex-
ceeds in Hawaii that of similar officials
Of any other Territory.
This unusual condition" Mr.. Pratt
says, rs due entirely to the fact that
the organization of territories within
the Immediate bounds of the United
States has been made to suit condi
tions and meet requirements radically
differing from those which obtained in
this Territory at the time Of snnexa-
ton, where already there existed a
well established form of government to
which was intrusted the powers and
duties of administering upon all pub
lie affairs, from the gravest matters
OF government concern and Of state to
those of matters purely local and Of a
municipal character.
Municipal Government.
Following the annexation of the
Territory OF Hawaii by the United
States the Organic Act among other
things especially provided for the Gre
alton and organization of the Territory
into various counties and municipali-
ties, the intent evidently being to give
to the people the right to administer
upon all matters of local or municipal
communicating, in fact, the only
way whereby the Territorial govern
ment as It now exists could be Invested
of such powers and the people be in
vested Herewith.
Plan OF Municipalization.
In the opinion of the writer 1t is
highly desirable that the Territory be
subdivided into counties, with tho
county seats Of government named and
located by the Congress of the United
| States. and that provision be made for
| the organization of the same by tho
vote of the people residing therein
whenever they shall see fit so to do.
II follows, as matter of course, that
with the organization of counties and
municipalities the duties. as well as
the powers and prerogatives, now vest
ed in the Governor and Territorial
officials will be materially decreased
the county officials elected by and &c
serve the people performing the du
ties now required to be performed b!
the Territorial officials.
Greatly Desired Change.
"A change of this sort Is yer!
greatly to be desired in that II would
not only relieve the Governor and Ter
ritorial officials of many veXatiou
matters of a purely local character
many OF which have been and are re
quired to be submitted to the Presi
dent and to the department at Wash
ington for their consideration, but |
would give into the hands OF the peo
pie themselves the privilege of admin
istering upon their own affairs local
ly. Under the present condition o
affairs. the Governor as the appointe
Of the President and by virtue of tn
power of his office, has the right an,
power OF appointing all subordinat
officers, heads Of departments and 9th
ers, whose duties are with matter
purely local yet who are not answer
able and accountable to the people TO
the proper performance thereof, o
their continuance in office, but TO tn
appointing power, namely, the Cover
nor, and while 1t may be truly sal
that the official duties are well pei
formed and moneys collected by tax
alton wisely expended. still the fac
is the people have no direct voice /
the selection of such officers nor an
power of administering upon the revt
nues which as a matter Of right an
justice they should have"
Incorporation Of Honolulu.
Mr., Pratt argues that a reduction /
the number OF Territorial offices woul
be effected by county government an
that the change could be made will
out great additional expense to tn
people, as they would regulate the e'
penditure themselves. He goes on
say:
The writer believes that Honolul
should be Immediately organized int
municipal government within
county jurisdiction and formed o
lines coextensive with the county, s
there might not be a dual set of of
GERS in control OF the offices. Ais
that Congress should grant munic