Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-12-18
UNCLESAM ANDHAWAII
DEBT OF FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
TO THE TERRITORY.
No National Provision for Harboe
Work or for Maintaining
Lighthouses.
Special Correspondence Of The Evening star

HONOLULU. T. H. December l. 1908.
In the opinion Of many people In Ha-
wall there is much to be done the debit
side as far as Uncle Sam is concerned be-
fore all the proper arrangements OF
nexation are carried out. The islands con-
tinue to carry some large financial burdens
which are held to be properly federal mat
ters Some of them are so important that
the territory fears to let go until the United
States takes hold, and consequently,
though the territory is practically bank
rupt. she is spending large sums on what
Congress ought to provide for.
When annexation was completed-nearly
four years ago-the federal government
at once took charge of the customs. post
office and other revenues. taking from the
first SlO0,oOO month from the little COM
munity of Honolulu alone, but nothing was
done to provide for harbors in Hawaii
federal buildings care of lighthouses.
The territory has continued to assume all
these burdens, and now she is about to
spend no less than $4,000 on Honolulu
harbor and wharves. 1t is generally claim
ed that the federal government is legally
obliged to assume this burden, but the
dredging of Honolulu harbor has become
immediate necessity, and the last legisia-
ture, uncertain of getting any speedy ac-
ton by Congress, in view of the expert
ences of the past made the necessary ap-
propriations. Large steamers are being
built which would not be able to enter
Honolulu harbor and find wharf accom-
modations if the improvements were not
at once started. Rather than have this
happen the territory will do the work itself.
Another burden which the territory has
steadily assumed is the care of lighthouses
throughout the group of islands This is
undoubtedly a matter for the federal gov
eminent, but as long as Congress didn't
take 1t UP the territory kept with it.
The. territorial appropriations for this will
expire with the end of this month, how
ever, and unless the federal government
does something by that time there will be
no provision for keeping up the lighthouses
at all. Without lighthouses no steamers
or sailing vessels would dare to come near
the islands at night and the dangers to nav
igation would be very great by reason of
the fact that approaching sea captains
would take their usual courses, relying
upon the lights shown in their charts
The New County Government Act.
On the 4th of next month the new county
government act goes into effect, and gives
the islands the county government for the
first time. The act is involved in much
uncertainty. There have been many opin-
ions that 1t will not stand In the courts.
and as a means of avoiding much litigation
and loss the territory is sounding Congress
to see If a ratification of the act can be
secured. F. NJ. Hatch was sent to Wash
ington to look after the matter There was
an indignant protest at first when it was
found that Hatch had gone on such a
mission, which served to show that Homo
lulu is sensitive about federal interference
with local affairs. and wants to be let alone
to work out her own salvation. 1t was
claimed tt at to ask such aid from Congress
was to admit incompetence of Hawaii to
manage her own affairs and to set g prece-
dent which would result in constant inter-
ference from Washington. The criticisms
subsidized, however, when it was found that
Hatch WAS under instructions to specially
request that nothing be done at ali unless
Congress would consent to simply ratify
the act as 1t stands without interfering
with or considering a single detail. and
leaving 1t subject to future amendment by
the Hawaiian legislature. All Congress is
asked to do is to do away with claims that
the act conflicts with the act providing a
government for Hawaii, and ratification
would do this. The Hawaiian representa-
tive will drop the matter at once If, after
consultation with Delegate kalanianaole
and others he finds that Congress wants to
read the act and discuss it.
Senator Mitchells Amendments.
Other matters In Congress over which
Hawaii is considerably exercised are the
amendments which Senator Mitchell of Ore
gon has offered to the Hawaiian organic
act. There Is a long list of amendments,
and two of them have aroused special OPP
position. The Hawaiian Bar Association
has held several meetings and has formu- .
lated petitions against the plan to allow
appeals from the Hawaiian supreme court
to the Supreme Court of the United States
In all cases involving much as 5000, and
against the amendment to allow others
than citizens of Hawaii to be appointed
justices. The first named amendment is
opposed a source of trouble and expense
to litigants and taking away from the
territory one of the prerogatives of state
hood which Congress gave her. Hawaii's
supreme court has the status of state su-
preme court. in that 1t is a court of last
resort, except where there Is a federal
question involved.
The idea of appointments from the MAIN
land is generally disliked In filling the
vacancy caused by the death of United
States Judge Estee by appointing Gov
Dole. President Roosevelt cut loose from
the custom which had been started. and
this pleased Hawaii. as 1t Indicated like
lihood that the territory's own citizens were
to get her official positions. In the cases of
many Offices the law provides that the ap-
pointees shall be citizens of the territory
and 1t is this which Senator Mitchell is
seeking to alter.
Senator Mitchels other amendments are
either heartily approved or attract little at
tention. His proposal to reduce the age
limit Of the governor to thirty years is not
opposed but the amendment to allow ap-
pointment of a governor from the mainland
UNDER TWO JURISDICTIONS