The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1903-12-08
Things Left in the Air by an Ad-
journment Until Thursday
Night.
Governor Carter Not Present But Sends Letter.
Speeches by fiighton, Andrews, Ashford,
Smith, Breckons and Beckley.

Before a mass meeting of over seven
hundred representative citizens of Ha-
wall the county act was discussed in
Progress Hall last evening. Divergent
views were given, and SO wide were the
citizens present in their opinions as to
what should be done that an adjourn
1nent was taken to Thursday evening
at which time committee of five will
report resolutions then to be acted up
on. The meeting was interesting and
at times exciting. Towards the end
motions were fired about the hall with
reckless abandon, but the motion to adj
journ, which was an amendment to a
resolution for testing the law in the
Supreme Court was finally overwhelm-
ingly carried, and the motion of Attor-
ney General Andrews, favoring the
Hatch mission, was therefore not put.
EVERY CLASS REPRESENTED.
The meeting was attended by citi-
gems of every class. Bankers, politi-
clans, merchants, members of the leg
islature, attorneys, and plain everyday
workingmen We're in evidence. What
ever the feeling as to the best thing
to be done in the present status of
the county act, it was shown that the
people as whole are deeply interested
in the county act, and the general SEN
timent favored local self-government,
the means to the end being the prin-
cipal subject of discussion.
The Merchants Association, under
whose auspices the meeting was held,
was desirous of adjourning without an
expression of sentiment III resolution,
but the citizens present virtually took
the meeting out of the hands of the
committee and resolved to go ahead
and either vote in favor of the Hatch
mission or recommend a test Of the act
in the Supreme Court. Decisive action
will be taken Thursday evening.
On the stage with Chairman G. w.
Smith were e. A. McInerny, w. w.
Harris, P. r. Helm, H. F. Wichman,
r. H. Trent and F. w. Macfarlane of
the Merchants Association, and Judge
Henry E. Highton. A. S. Humphreys,
r. w. Breckons. w. o. Smith and F.
w. Beckley, the speakers.
MEETING CALLED TO ORDER.
Mr.. G. w. Smith called the meeting
to order promptly at eight o'clock. He
said:
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 matter that affects US all
and one that requires careful conslo-
Grafton and calm judgment.
We do not approach the subject IN
any partizan spirit, not as Repubn-
cans or Democrats or members OF the
Home Rule party, but as merchants
citizens, taxpayers; men vitality inter
ested in the matter whichever way IL
may finally be determined.
We desire free and open discussion
In an endeavor to learn the pubic
opinion on the matter, for, after ALL II
is public opinion that rules in the eno.
The Association has invited num-
Der of our citizens, qualified from
study of the subject, to address you
briefly. and, after those selected have
spoken the chair will welcome any ad-
dress. pertinent to the subject, from
any citizen in the audience.
GOVERNOR SENDS A LETTER.
Mr.. smith stated that just at the last
moment he had received note from
Governor Carter saying he would be
unable to be present because OF other
engagements.
Governor Carter had sent his views