The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1903-02-13
STEWART AND THE COUNTY BILL

r. McCants Stewart has addressed
the following letter to Senator Clarence
l.. Crabbe, chairman of the Republican
Legislative caucus, concerning the
County bill.
Dear Sir: Through the courtesy of the
Republican Executive Committee, |
have examined a pamphlet, entitled, "A
Bill for an Act Concerning Counties,
Etc and, acting upon the general
understanding, that your caucus de-
sires to receive suggestions with re-
ference to said bill from citizens of the
Territory, l have the honor to submit
the following points for your consider
alton.
First. The Island of Oahu should not
be covered by the Bill 1t has out
grown county conditions, and has with
in a portion of it's territory all the ele
ments of a municipality. 1t should be
divided into two parts, and a charter
should be passed by the Legislature for
the City and County of Honolulu, which
city and county should embrace "All
of that portion of the Island of oahu
from and including the land known as
Maunalua on the east to the land
known as and including Mona
lua on the west and lying between the
crest of the mountain range from
Maunalua to Moanalua on the north
and the sea on the south, including all
harbors and inlets and territory inside
of the reefs"
The city should be divided into eight
wards, and it's government should be
similar to the plan outlined by the Re-
publican Charter Committee, of which
w. o. Smith, George A. Davis, j. G.
Pratt, a. V. Gear, and myself were
members, and whose charter was Of
fered as a Bill by yourself at the last
Legislature.
There need be no more officials than
are now employed within the limits of
Honolulu, and in some instances one
official could look after two offices, for
the present. For example the Commits
sioner of Public Works could discharge
the duties of Commissioner of Parks.
The salaries should be kept within
reasonable limits, and some officials,
like aldermen, and members of the
Board of Education should serve with
out pay.
l freely admit that local self-gov-
eminent will require the development of
unusual civic spirit to secure efficiency
and economy; but, since we are forced
to have local government, let us es-
tablish the right kind No make-shift
ever wins out. We are forced to dc
what is proposed in the county bill
Why hang back to be forced further.
Let us, like sensible men, heed that
outside American sentiment, which is
determined to make us live along ira
ditional American lines" Then if ouI
local government should prove a
failure, because of the election of in
competent and dishonest officials, and
if our juries should fail to punish Off
cial rascalities, we shall find that same
outside American sentiment coming
speedily to our relief.
The remaining territory of the Island
of Oahu should be covered by the Coun-
ty Bill, now under consideration.
Second. Waving all controversy as
to whether or not our electorate is cap
able of successfully conducting county
and municipal government, and assum-
ing that the Legislature will provide d
plan of local lf-gOvernment, l submit
| that the provision of section IA of the
county bill should be amended so as L
| provide for the election of supervisor!
from the districts in which they re.
| side.
If it should be finally determined tC
cover the Island of Oahu under said
County Bill, ] would divide the Island
into twelve districts. eight in Homo
lulu, and four outside, and | would let
| the Honolulu district lines follow the
ward lines, as laid down in your bill
hereinbefore referred to.
| do not favor requiring supervisors
to give bond, as they do not handle
moneys. They are merely a directorate
body; nor do l favor giving them any
salary. The board could meet in the
evenings weekly, if necessary, and
keep the machinery of government in
motion without great sacrifice of theh
time.
In the event of a vacancy in the
board, it should be filled by the board
and not by the governor
The presiding member should be call
ed president" or "chief supervisor