Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1903-01-31
LEGISLATIVE LANGUAGE.

The only value OF the legislative Ian
guage discussion Is found in the fact
that agitation OF the subject may even
tually hasten the time when the Eng
lish language will by common consent
be the sole medium OF conveying the
spoken opinions In legislative halls.
The Bulletin believes the purpose OF
the passage In the Organic Act relat-
ing to language In legislative proceed
ings was to make the English language
the official language OF the Legislature
In its spoken as well as its written pro
ceedings. II believes that the plank In
the Republican platform favoring ac-
ton by Congress to allow the use OF
the Hawaiian language implies parts
conviction that the Organic Act now
provides for the English language only.
Hawaii's first Legislature, however.
ruled otherwise and no attempt was
made by minority members of the Leg
islature. Territorial or National eX-
ecutive officers to test the legality OF
that action During the session OF the
Legislature when this subject was
under discussion the Bulletin APP
preached both Governor Dole and Chief
Justice Frear. who were members of
the commission drafting the Organic
Act. While these officials favored the
one language view they showed no dis
position to contest the point. Thus the
matter passed by default II the Gov.
ernor felt that the Organic Act had
been violated there was but one thing
for him to do. His silence gave prac-
teal consent.
As regards the position OF the Re
publican party, ii might just as well be
admitted first as last that the party
did not dare to go into the election
campaign on straight-out English
language plank. Whether such plans
would have made the difference be.
tween success and defeat is useless "a
| discuss. The fact remains that the
Republicans did not feel that the peopl'
were prepared to take up this issue
| Furthermore, the sole platform declar'
alton on the point, while implying
strict Interpretation of the law sug'
gests that the dual language PROPOSE
ton was considered as voicing the pop
ular sentiment of the electorate.
This paper is convinced that exclu
sive use Of the English language in th'
proceedings of the Legislature vii
come in the natural course Of events
md that at no distant day We be
lieve that the Hawaiian-American
themselves will not be slow to appre
riate that the more closely they conn
to the methods and customs OF othe
American legislative bodies the NOR
speedily will they advance their owl
interests which are those OF the Ter
ritory at large. They must realize tn
force of President Roosevelrs opposi
ton to the admission of New Mexic
as a State in consequence Of the tenden
cy of citizens of New Mexico TO hold I
old Mexican or Spanish language an
customs. This Is American Territor
and to obtain the high ambition Of a
citizens, customs must change to NEE
the new conditions.
Should the English language idea b
forced on the coming Legislature afts
the precedent has been set, 1t woul
arouse much dissatisfaction and likel
. more acrimonious debate than It
, worth. It would stir up dissension
, Republican ranks from the fact tbs
not few Republican members-ele,
are not freely conversant with the Ems
, fish language and might result in err
I ating unpleasant racial divisions whic
, of all things should be avoided. II
( is desired to make the language que
ton an issue put it before the poop
and have It threshed out The pre-
, ent Legislature was elected on dui
{ language basis.