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

are all reserved to the Territory be-
cause Of the difficulties existing here.
But in addition to the inherent difficult
ties. there came financial difficulties
and the decision of the Supreme Court
which has shaken the confidence of
many people as to the binding force OF
that act.
ST believe in the principle of settling
the question in the court, believe our
own legislature Is competent to enact a.
county act. But conditions differ. Tn
der the circumstances, If Congress is
willing, the men responsible for the
government of this Territory have
thought it best to have the county act
endorsed and ratified by Congress, if it
could be done in the present month.
Whether it is wise or unwise to lay
the matter before Congress, no more
competent, conservative and judicious
man could have ben sent on such a
mission than T. M. Hatch. For three
years as minister to Washington, in the
most critical period, he showed himself
man of conservative, sound judg-
nlent. He has been entrusted with
mission to confer with the men who
have charge of Hawaiian affairs in
Congress and if they think it best to
make the attempt to have the law en-
dorsed, to go ahead, If not the effort
will be abandoned. It is hard for the
people who are not responsible for the
government to decide what is best to
do. Some people differ with the deci-
sion of the Supreme Court, some say
that the remainder of the county act
&C., hxrf 40
shortness of the time, the financial diff
ficulties. all made it seem best to send
judicious man to Washington to seek
the aid of these men in Congress.
MAY BE IMPOSSIBLE.
Congress is large body. 1t is con-
sidering great national questions and
very likely it will be impossible to get
the action desired by Congress. But
If Congress should by a brief act af-
firm the county act and the election
held under it, it would more firmly es-
tablish self government for two years
than any action here could do"
BECKLEY FAvORS HOME RULE.
F. w. Beckley said that in his opin-
ion the county act is illegal and I'M
constitutional, being contrary to the
Organic Act. That the people here did
not believe in the Hatch mission was
shown in the large gathering, he said.
Mr.. Beckley detailed the various in
valid portions of the county act, such
as turning over public property to
counties, defining duties of Territorial
officers and dealing with land bounda-
ries. He said, to ask Congress to en-
dorse the law was to admit that we are
not capable of self-government. 1t had
cost enough to pass such a law, $50, 600
at the two sessions and still the leg
islature was unsuccessful Still it
would be cheaper to make the third at
tempt than to go to Congress, show
ing that we can't run our own govern
ment. Congress might pass the law,
but it is question as to whether they
will give US the right to amend it.
Congress would suit itself and would
make the law in Ignorance of our con-
ditions here. The next thing Hawaii
would be asking Congress to send
church ministers to the islands. To ask
/ ratification would show Congress that
we are not fit for self-government and
the result would be the elimination of
the franchise; a certain portion should
De eliminated.
A few days ago public officials were
indicted and the very legislature which
passed the county act was openly ac-
,used of being composed of thieves,
grafters and looters Washington
would naturally think such men are not
fit to pass laws.
Beckley said that if the attempt was
made the chances were that county
act would be forced down our throats
which we didn't want. Congress has
enough troubles of it's own and as the
legislature had been given full power
to make the law, it should be done.
The law should be tested in the SUI
preme Court and resolution should
De passed to that effect. The people
n mass meeting should have been con-
suited before Hatch was sent to Wash
ngton. He did not represent the vo-
-ers of the Territory. Beckley closed
with the statement that the law was
I good one until knocked out by the
courts.
OFFERS RESOLUTION.
J. A. Matthewman offered a resolu- |
ion proposing test case in the SUI |
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