The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1902-12-05

the matter and found state of facts
so utterly at variance with those set
forth by the Home Rulers that they
decided that it would be wasted time
to make complete Investigation
The issuance of certificates of Hawai-
ian birth to Chinese was a matter un-
dertaken by the Secretary upon the re-
quest of the Chinese of the city, and
is carried on under permission of the
Federal government. Secretary Cooper
laid the case before Washington some
time ago, and asked for instructions.
He was told that there was no provision
of law for the action but if he deemed
it wise to undertake the giving of GER
tiffcates of local birth he could do So
The national government would not
undertake to furnish records or to out
fit the local office with blanks for the
purpose, and in fact to put it mildly
wanted to have nothing to do with the
matter. The Secretary was given per-
mission to do what he pleased in the
PREMISES
This put the matter up to the Chi
nese themselves, and after conferences
according to the story which is told, the
Chinese proposed that they be given the
certificates on the payment of a fee of
81 for each, which sum it was estima ted
would pay for the printing and service.
With this understanding clear between
the Chinese and the Secretary, Mr..
Cooper advanced a sum, several hum
dred dollars in amount, for records,
books and proper certificates and has
for more than two years given the GER
tificates of Hawaiian birth to those to
whom they could legally issue. Alto
t1,H l,ax
than 1000 Chinese children.
In addition to the amount invested in
the records and books there is charge
for service, as the clerks of the exec
utive department are not permitted to
take up their time with this matter,
which is outside OF their ordinary duty,
and in consequence they are paid for
the extra service. The fees meet these
charges and the books show that there
has been no very large sum collected
even for that purpose.
With these facts before them the Re-
publican Senators have concluded that
there would be only an idle waste of
time in investigation, for the records of
the Secretary are open to any official
who wishes to inspect them, and con-
sequently the Home Rule Senators do
not need the assistance of a commit
tee to find that the rumors on which
they have based their hopes of an Off
cial scandal are absolutely without
foundation.
The Senate viii meet next on Satur-
day morning at 10 o'clock This was
decided in a session yesterday afternoon
not more than one minute in length.
The morning session had been un-
productive, the nominations not coming
in, and the only business in reality be-
ing the discussion at length of whether
or not Cecil Brown must needs be sworn
in as Senator, he showing up for the
first time since the Senate convened.
Chief Justice Frear finally administered
the oath. A communication from
Manager Ballentyne was read, asking
the Senators to visit the plant of the
company and take a ride over the road.
The communication was read and filed,
as there was to be an afternoon meet
ing of the Senate. But when the mem
bers met for the second time during
the day there was nothing to do as the
nominations were still lacking and con-
seauently the adjournment was had un-
til Saturday. Senator Kalauokalani
wanted Senator Baldwin to withdraw
the motion to adjourn, so he could do
some business but it would not go.