Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1903-12-08

tative citizens of the community.
Careful attention was given to The div
ergent views expressed and at the
end, an attempt was made to pass res.
olutions.
This failed and adjournment was
taken after the decision that a
committee of FIVE be appointed TO pre-.
sent resolutions bearing on the SUBJ
jeCt at a meeting to held Thursday
night. However, II applause Is any
criterion by which to judge, the mai
ority of those present at the meeting
last night are unequivocally opposed
to legislation by Congress with refer.
ence to County Act passed by the last
Legislature.
vice-president George W. Smith, Of
| the Merchants Association. presided
at the meeting. Besides the speakers.
there were seated on the stage with
him the following: L. A. McInerny,
| W. w. Harris, Z. X. Helm, II. +.
Wichman, II. II. Trent and f. w.
Macfarlane of the Merchants Associ-
alton.
The meeting was called to order
promptly at s o'clock, Mr.. Smith max
ing short address of which the fol-
lowing is a portion:
Fellow Citizens: One of the objects
of the Merchants Association Of HO-
nolulu Is the promotion OF the public
good. In furtherance of this object the
Association has called this meeting of
citizens to discuss and confer over a
subject that intimately concerns us
the status of the County Act. passed
by the last Territorial Legislature.
This is a matter that effects us all
and one that requires careful COnsid.
GRAFTON and calm judgment
We do not approach the subject in
any partizan spirit, not as Republic
cans or Democrats or members of the
Home Rule party. but as merchants,
citizens. taxpayers; men vitality inter-
ested in the matter whichever way II
may finally be determined.
Having made these remarks. Mr..
Smith read the following letter from
Governor Carter who was unable to be
present on account OF a previous en-.
gagement
Executive Chamber. Territory Of Ha-
wall, Honolulu, December Z. 1908
George w. Smith, Esq, Chairman
County Act Mass Meeting, Honolulu.
Dear Sir: When on Saturday / eX.
pressed my qualification that your
meeting had been postponed until to.
night, | had entirely forgotten a pre-.
vious engagement that had been
standing for some time. Therefore
! send you this letter, which Drieny
expresses the attitude of the admins
tration, and my relations to the Hatcl
mission.
The seriousness of the Territory
situation was first called to my at
tention by United States District At
torney BreCkons. A few days later
4 in order to understand the situation,
invited a number of gentlemen to NEE
with the Attorney General and myself
and discuss the matter. At that meet
Ing the importance of prompt actor
was made evident There RENAME,
) less than a month before the COUNTY
Act would take effect. To secure al
opinion OF the Supreme Court on al
points within this time was impossible
D think all of the attorneys presen
ut that meeting were unanimous II
the opinion that the Supreme COur
l. would not decide ON the Act as 1
whole, but only on each question as /
was raised. The decision already giver
l. illustrates the general rule laid dowI
by the Court. In that case as man!
points as could possibly be though
Of were submitted. One only wa
: decided, and the rest left for futur,
= consideration.
r There being an appeal from our Su
r preme Court by writ OF error, no mat
= ter what its decision. whether for o
!, against the County Act, It was pointed
/ out that disgruntled taxpayer Coul,
!. appeal to the United States Courts
n necessitating litigation involving no
v less than a years time and cOnse
@ quenCes of serious nature. In tn
r. practical working out of this Ques
u ton, il seemed very doubtful that tn
u lNuuuNy ANlt as u WnOlct NDNlu NC Ut
Clared Illegal, but If at all, would b
slowly dlsintegrated, as the courts dc
\. cided from.time TO time in what point
q II was in conflict with the Organi
s Act.
p With such conditions confronting u
J. what would be the status of the Tel
% rtory and our community as a whole
Is Looking at It in the worst light. lie
u the Act being thrown out entirel!
o there would certainly be u period {
d chaos before II would be possible I
l. call the Legislature into extra sessio
W and have them enact further Law
making appropriations for those d,
partments which are to be turned oN
er to the Counties--a situation hardl
creditable to the intelligence OF on
community
Now, suppose the act was not decla
cd invalid, but attacked from time
time In the different points? Ito,