The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1903-12-08

liquors shall be sold in the Capitol
building in Washington.
Now we will have to go to Com
gress and say that we didn't keep close
to the act, that we didn't do some
thing that Congress itself doesn't do.
This act passed by the legislature COM
pletely changes the system of gov
eminent in the Islands. It is a law
asked by the majority of the people.
by both political parties, by ali class
es. Naturally with this complete
change in system, the law is not
generally understood. Naturally also
it is quite likely to be attacked. Cor
porations don't like to pay taxes no
better than individuals. Corporations
are better able to carry cases to the
highest courts than individuals, and
than counties. They have the money
to stay in the fight to the end. So
we may expect attacks on the county
law in every possible way 1t can be
made. So we are confronted with the
problem that after January 4th OF
what will become of the county act
A portion has been declared illegal by
the Supreme Court-if / had client
1 would advise him not to follow that
until decided by the highest court.
The only way in which the county act
can be attacked is through its conflict 8
with the Organic Act, on two sub
jects.
DO you want county government
eyes" loudly said some one in the
audience.)
WANT COUNTY Law.
Both parties want the county law,
the governor has approved it, and now
Mr.. Hatch has been sent to Washing
ton to ask Congress to ratify it,
Here is an act which by reason of
technicalities is liable to attack. We
want local self government and the
law suits US, the only way to attack
it, is on these two subject sections in
the Organic Act. Now if Congress
says it is all right that the technicali-
ties should be swept away, then it will
become law. AS II is we want the
county act, the government wants it,
but the merchants are afraid to sell
the counties goods and the banks are
afraid to lend them money until it is
settled. Perhaps a few thousands in
lawyers fees might get it determined
and perhaps some parties want a
special session of the Legislature. But
legislatures cost money prolonged
laughter). All I want to say is that
the county act is all right, and it isn't
asking Congress to pass local legisla-
ton for US any more than in asking
Congress not to touch ii. We passed
the law, and we are now asking Con-
gress to give us wider scope in strik-
out Objectionable sections in the Or
ganic Act. AS 1 understand the
Hatch mission it is not to get Congress
to approve the county act so it can be
amended only by Congress, for the act
contains a provision that nothing in it
shall be construed to prevent it's
amendment or repeal by the legisia-
ture.
MAY GET CONGRESSIONAL AID.
Another matter, the Senate sub
committee sent here found many evils
which it said would be remedied by
the county law. Now If this county
act is knocked out, and it is demon
strated that we are unable to pass
such a law, the recommendation Of
that committee may be followed out
and we are likely to get a county act
from Congress. And we don't want
that So we had better get the APP
prevail of this act now"
Mr.. Breckons stated also that he did
not believe there was any secrecy
about Mr.. Hatch's mission to Wash
JUDGE HUMPHREYS SPEAKS.
A S. Humphreys prefaced his res
marks with a brief talk on town meet
Ings in general, saying it developed
Continued on Page Z.