Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1903-12-08
CITIZENS At A MEETING
CONTINUED from Page 81

IT, the Organic Act of one subject en-
bTaced in the title of the bill To make
the County Act free from attack, the
20. X of Congress should be secuT-
ed.
Judge Humphreys the next speaker,
was also unequiyocally opposed to leg
islaton by Congress. lie spoke in
favor of such meetings as the one that
was being held. He had always
thought that the Chamber OF Com
merce and Merchants Association
would WELD a more potent influence
Ii they would act and express their
thoughts in gatherings Of the kind
No matter what his condition. every
man should be given chance to ex-
press his opinion on matters vital to
the interests of the community. Who
" ould have thought a year ago that
w o. Smith would sit on the same
platform with him or that T. 2. Dole
would be seated at his feet listening
to him.
Judge Humphreys then referred to
the Territory of New Mexico. showing
that in the SO years of its existence
Congress had recognized the right of
the people to self-government and had
never enacted any legislation for them
He also referred to Arizona.
Sending Mr.. Hatch to Washington
was nothing short of confession to
Congress of the mental and political
incapacity of the people That would
certainly be the view taken by Con-
gress Such an action was reflection
not only on the intelligence of the PEG.
pie but upon their patriotism
Judge Humphreys concluded with
, the statement that he believed the
meeting should adopt a resolution to
the effect that II was ineXpedient foi
Congress to enact county law for Ha.
wall.
W. o. Smith said there were difIiCu,
ties in the way Of county government.
There was no money to start out with
and then there was the question OF
financial credit. There had been mis-
I givings as to the ACCESSIBILITY OF en-.
acting a county act but the commun.
| ity seemed to want 1t right away. II
the Act could be ratified by Congress
In the present month 1t was worth
while trying. Certainly no more eff.
cient man than Mr.. Hatch could be
secured. Owing to the lack OF con.
fidence expressed in the Act II seemed
to those In authority that II would be
u wise move to send such a man as
Mr.. Hatch to Washington to confer
about the matter.
Mr.. Smith said he did not wish to
express an opinion, but 1t seemed to
him that II the County Act could be
more firmly established by the en-.
dorsement of Congress, it was worth
the while to try.
+. w. Beckley was the last speaker
on the program. He started out by
saying that the County Act was illegal
unconstitutional and contrary to the
Organic Act. In the first place, two
subjects were embraced in the title
and the body Of the bill. The speaker
then pointed out number of places
where the Act was In conflict with the
Organic Act, concluding with the state
ment that there was a question ever
as to the proper passage in three read
ings of the bill when before the House
OF Representatives. There was end
less litigation to be expected and Il
would be necessary to provide a new
act or else endorse the mission Of Mr.
Hatch to Washington. Congress woult
not take any action at this session OF
such a, to them, small and unlmportan
matter. It would be better to make I
, third attempt at passing propel
: County Act rather than to run to Con
gress with a confession Of incapable
ity in the matter Of legislation. liz
was in favor Of testing the County Ac
in the courts here before running t.
Congress. Hatchs trip to Washing
ton was an attempt to repudiate tn
action OF the men whom the peopl
had elected to the Legislature.
After this speech the meeting wa
thrown open. Mr.. Matthewman OF
fered resolution proposing a ties
case in the Supreme Court. Attorne
General Andrews opposed this an
HIONSu Nhat ~ bV 'hN S'hoN VI INV ''N'
ing that the action of the merchant
in sending Mr. Hatch to Washingto
be approved.
Mr.. Smith said the meeting was fo
discussion and not for the passing G
resolutions. Several OF those presen
expressed their views on this subjec
Ed Towse said he did not believe tn
people were satisfied to go to a NEE
ing and go home without determinin
what should be done. Finally 1t wa
agreed to adjourn and in the meantim
to appoint a committee of Ave to r.
port at another meeting Thursda
Z might.