Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1903-09-11
TREMENDOUS POWER
Of BISHOP ESTATE

Editor Evening Bulletin Il wish Il
suggest, through your columns, a quec.
ton which may have far-reach'rg
Influence on matters Hawaiian.
| All mon have natural hesitaury
about engaging in an undertaking.
which has the assured elements o.
grave danger, almost unlimited up.
popularity IL the high, local circles Ct
personal md business Acquaintance,
and possible extinction at the instance
of wealthy and powerful interests; out
there are times when Fools rush in
where angels fear to tread" and his
tory is saturated with the record OF
results, worldwide In effect and epoch
making in character. which have cIen-
tuated because OF the puny action Of a
pygmy and fanatic who has suggested
thought which, like an infant at
birth, weak aud powerless, but later
a strong fearless factor AM power in
the land, and all aggressive moulder
of the opinions of mem. has leYc,uped
into living, pulsating entity. to con-
found the counsels of the wise.
The question now PROFOUND Is this
rs there non now in Hawaii. in tho
person OF the Bishop Estates Trustees
a small compact and forceful interest
which, as new constituted, is inimiCdl
to the public weaI?"
The sentiment of the American poo
pie has advanced almost to the point
of eruption in demand for the Tegula
ton of corporate aggression.
lnciied by the long course Of pol
ley which cCerCed the weak. the people
Of Illinois sent to the Legislature mon
who, under the lash OF public opinion.
forced Scully, the great land holder,
to resign his autuCrali C crown
The Congress Of the United States,
in the Act organizing the Territory Of
Hawaii, restricted the future corporate
acquisitions to 1000 acres.
Whether this was just or unjust and
because of IL sufficient information ard
evidence. is not for me to say. Never
theless that action expresses the large
and growing sentiment Of millions of
our people.
1t appears to me that in the Bishop
Estates Trustees of Hawaii there Is
presented concrete example OF con-
dition which may be dangerous.
In no way is this an attack upon the
benetcent objects Of these trusts nor a
denial Of great good to the people &C.
sulting therefrom, nor upon any mem
Der of the Trustees.
Solely and entirely Is 1t 4 suggestion
of the harm which might result from
possible and mistaken action due to
concentrated and final authority.
Because of their immense and wide
, spreading holdings Of lands in Hawaii.
II Is q fact that the trustees of these
estates must of necessity be consulted
and conCiliated before any measure OF
Importance which involves large areas
OF lands, Government or private, may
be successfully concluded In Hawaii.
An authorized representative Of these
trusts has recently stated IN writing
that the Office OF trustee is held Cor
life" Only proved. willful malfeasance
in Office would require a removal or
resignation from Office. and this con-
dition, in a close corporation, is a most
difficult matter TO establish.
Five trustees of one estate also are
OF the seven who control the other. II
then follows that four men may con-
troll events OF the largest importance
to the community. the common peo-
pie, and without appeal, "a condition
contrary to the genius Of the American
policy, and that therefore. at the
present time. these four men may de-
eide matters Of vital moment TO the
public in a nisi prius court, which is
also a court Of last resort.
A most natural Corollary is that these
four men will have an undue influence
in all other local matters because of
their official position as such trustees
for the people.
II the resources of these great bene-
factions should be invested in general
securities, the possibility of resultant
lll-effect from error OF judgment. pas
sion, prejudice, or a failure upon the
part of the trustees to give the time TO
fully consider the effect OF their action
upon the public interest, would be min
imiZed.
The trustees may be debarred from
disposing Of its lands by the terms Of
the trust, II so this objection may ne
obviated through the power OF the
State 10 regulate all such matters. even
to the extent that IL may condemn and
purchase these lands for the public
good, as in the case OF the Friars' lands
in the Philippines, (Act Of 57th Con-
gress first session, 1902
One learned in the law could up-
doubtedly suggest several methods for
checking the possible future misuse OF
power by these trustees or their suv-
cossors in Office.
II might be that bill in the next
Congress Or Legislature would act AS
leayen TO fOment thorough discussion
Of this question, and through the e!-
forts Of many minds be- at the end Of