Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1903-11-19
GOVERNOR AND TREASURER

Treasurer Kepoikai's refusal to re-
sign before the expiration Of his legal
term and Acting Governor Carter's
manifest desire that he shall resign
before the organization of the new ad
ministration creates one of the most
interesting situations Hawaii has had
in its recent history. II is entirely
novel to Hawaii but by no means un.
known to Territories OF the mainland
instances can be found without
searching far when almost identical
conditions have arisen in other Terri.
tories and the scrimmage has lasted
over period of several months, but
the Governor has not allowed his Office
to be vacated in consequence.
The Bulletin Is unable to divine why
Treasurer Kepoikai wishes to remain
in otlic when Governor Carter has an.
bounced that he wants to start his ad.
ministration with a complete list of ap.
pointments of his own. The whole
question is largely one of courtesy to
the incoming executive but unless
there is a personal or political game to
play It Is not usual to take an antag.
onistic attitude.
What the political game IL in this
Instance the Bulletin will not attempt
to solve. though II is possible It goes
back to the time when Delegate Kuhio
demanded the appointment Of Mr.. Re.
poikai or he would resign as Delegate
and force a new election.
Kepoikai is very firmly intrenched
as far as his legal status Is concerned.
He was appointed for four years. He
has committed no crime nor has he
been guilty Of malfeasance in office
which would warrant summary remov.
al. He prefers to stand on his com.
from Governor Dole. confirmed
by the Territorial Senate, rather than
run the chance of reappointment No
one can dispute the legality of the
Treasurer's action though his judg.
ment may be called in question.
Governor Carter has taken the very
strong stand that he will not assume
the duties Of the Governorship unless
he has the designations of all depart.
ment heads and Kepoikai's is the only
one missing For the time being Mr..
Carter has put ii within the power OF
the Treasurer to say that he shall not
act as Governor. This situation we
believe Is temporary. not because Mr..
Garter II afraid to maintain IL, or
v Ould give his soul and all principles
TO gain the rights. tile and emOlu.
ments Of tie GOyCrnOrshIp. Mr. Car.
ter viii not, or ought not, hold to his
original proposition. The Governor.
ship means more to the Territory and
the Federal administration than the
stiice Of Treasurer. Mr.. Carter has
been appointed Governor He is eX.
peCted to take the place as he finds it.
His duty points to his assumption Of
whatever responsibilities present
themselves rather than an absolute
Of all his own ideals. II
MIR. Carter has the experience of most
public men he will find II necessary
70 walt a long time and be persistently
patient in carrying out all he hopes
% accomplish. II he finds that at the
md OF his term he has completed the
list according to what he previously
considered the quickest and best
method, he will be the luckiest official
m earth.
The correspondence passed between
Governor Carter and the Treasurer
their position and opinions
'ery clearly. Kepoikai declines to re.
sign and won't admit he has promised
o resign, while Carter is satisfied that
he Treasurer has either misstated his
Intentions in previous conversations
n been Intentionally misleading. Car.
.er gave the Treasurer no assurance
hat he would or would not reappoint
lim to office but events have led him
o believe that he wants a more stable
quantity at the head OF this Depart
nent.
Mr.. Carter's move under these cir.
is to go ahead, not stop.
1 there is anything to be made out of
I by his recalcltrant Treasurer, let It
De made. AS Governor, Carter
las the last move in every part
# the contest, The aggressive pow.
n of advancement counts more with
he people than a blockade. Mr.. Car.
er should be Governor whether Mr..
<epoikai elects to be Treasurer or
lot.