Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1903-03-05

idea that a man who turns his hand
over in behalf of the government"
should be paid and paid well. As
Territory we are in far different posi-
ton from the days of national indie
pendence. Sources of revenue have
been cut of, and 1t now remains for
the Legislators to determine whether
they will continue the old eXtrava-
giant ideas and raise taxes all along the
line, or endeavor by careful. serious
pruning to cut public expense to the
size of the income.
What has been true of the Territory
has in the past been duplicated
throughout commercial and business
circles. Business men have found 1t
possible to reduce expenses. The Leg.
islature can follow good example.
Eventually the lawmakers must come
to the hard pan business basis. This
Republican Legislature should take the
initiative particularly at this period
when the people are branching out in
what is to the majority an entirely
new phase Of administration.
Hawaii's official salary list rules
higher prOpOrtionatcly than that of any
State or Territory in the Union. II has
been said that the expense of living
makes tails necessary. Yet business
establishments throughout the Terri
tory have found II possible to retrenCh,
their employees find it possible to live
and the work is done with quite as
much satisfaction to all concerned as
| In the palmy days'of luxury. Not only
| Is the Territorial list higher than other
Territories, but taken by and large 1t
Is much higher than the average rate
now paid for similar work in business
! houses.
Every Legislature has been 10th to
cut down salaries because this or that
| official is a good fellow and admittedly
| capable II has been claimed that the
best men cannot be obtained at lower
/ figures. business houses however have
been able to overcome all these objec-
( lions
A purely impersonal business-liko
I course is the only line of action for tho
/ Legislature to pursue If II is to serve
the interests of the taxpayer. No ap-
preparation should be made for which
| the money will not be forthcoming
/ from regular and economical avenues
( Of taxation The most damaging policy
from a party standpoint will be the
rolling up OF large appropriations and
then raising tax fates TO meet II. Again,
/ this Legislature ought to put its foot
down against passing large appropria-
lions. well knowing that. the money
cannot be obtained and consequently
/ leaving II discretionary with depart
/ ment heads to select certain apprOpria-
tons to be expended This has caused
any quantity of dissatisfaction in tho
past and will arouse more in the future.
/ Hawaii, in adopting American meth
DDS of government must accept
American methods of expenditure. 1t
CannOt afford to pay premiums for
public service II must demand that
I It's officials follow the strict letter of
! appropriations. 1t must stop the praC-
, tiCe of executive officers becoming leg
/ lslators. Much of this will naturally
be wiped out by the authority given of
/ Gcers of local county or city govern
| ments, but the policy of the Legislature
| should be so clearly for the best return
at the least expenditure that county
governments and officials will have an
! example TO follow.