Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1903-04-07
COUNTY GOVERNMENT
BY JNo. N. HoRNER.


try district. creditable to its builders
and also to the township. 1t was butt
by the people of the immediate neigh |
borhood, and all the public school
buildings were erected by the people
residing in the. school districts, each I
district building its own school houses
So far as my knowledge and informa-
ton extends. not one penny was ever
contributed towards the erection OF
any of these buildings by either the
county. the state, the general Govern.
ment or any outside party.
The people of each school district
| elect three trustees from among their
own people-always those who take
lively interest in school matters.
These trustees work without pay,
have charge of all school property in
their district superintend the building
Of all new school houses. all improve.
ments about the house inside and out,
hire and pay the teachers. etc. II
son.e improvement is wanted, the trus.
tees consult with some of the most in
huential citizens of the district re-
speCting the contemplated improve.
ment. II they are friendly, a public
meeting Is called. the contemplated
Improvement is laid before the meet.
ing and discussed, every one having an
opportunity to express his ideas. When
all is done. vote is taken. If yes" Is
the vote then comes the question as TO
how each would prefer to pay his
share of the improvement. One pro-
poses to do the grading, another haul
ing the lumber, another the rock, 9th.
ers to assist in the mechanical labor,
others prefer to pay their share in
e cash, etc. SO in a short time the inn
provement is completed, and with the
use of very little money.
I How different, oh how different, here
a under present methods!
h Now. if an Improvement Is wanted
e In the country for schools, II Is plainly
a stated to the school board agent, he in
s turn refers II to the Territorial School
n Board. 1t, having no money for I'M
i provements not contemplated at the
l. time its last estimates were made, the
I Board applies to the Cabinet. The
e Cabinet can only promise to place the
$ demand in the next Appropriation Bill
S So the Board makes its estimated re-
c qurements for school purposes the
I coming two years and hands 1t to the
}, Cabinet. The Cabinet naturally scales
@ (. down before presenting II to the
c Legislature. The Legislature being OF
a an economical strain, may again scale
J. K down. So when the appropriation
II for schools is finally made it is SC
II sCrimped that but a few of the de
: mands made for school improvements
e can be complied with and another two
o years must roll away before even an
Il other attempt can be made for schoo
d improvements.
d These are not fancy pictures, but
d solid facts that are inherent in oul
u present school system. and happened
in Hamakua Hawaii, only few years
1. ago, thus requiring in some cases a!
e many years to get a school improve
e ment made under present methods, as
a Il would weeks under a first.clasi
a county government, and If East Ha
h. wall Is given an honest county govern
1. ment organization II will have owe
d sixty capable men-three for eacl
b. schoOl-to care for the schools ant
81 school property in all parts of thu
sr county, all residing In the school dis
Ie trict for which they were chosen. Nov
what do we have to care for schools
81 md school property all over the coun
n. try districts. Much more might b.
Il. said. Our school system is to blame
n not the officials.
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