The Hawaiian gazette., 1903-12-08

fronted with the problem Of financial
credit for the counties. There are pub
lie spirited citizens here who have CIV
en- money and time TO further good
government. who approach the self
governnent idea with misgiving. They
think that self-government should be
the product of evolution-of progress,
and therefore view the sudden change
with misgiving. But both parties and
the government are committed to the
idea Of self-government nowA The at
tempt was made to pass the law be-
fore and failed, but this law was final
ly passed with certain things, given to
States and Territories on the mainland,
omitted. The school system, the pub
lie institutions. and the public health
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.
Il believe in the principle Of settling
the question in the court, believe our
county act. But conditions differ. I'm
der the circumstances, IL Congress Is
willing, the men responsible for the
government of this Territory have
! thought 1t 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
man could have ben sent on such a
mission than F. NJ. Hatch. For three
years as minister to Washington, in the
most critical period, he showed himself
a man Of conservative, sound judg-
ment. He, has been entrusted with a
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. 1t 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
is valid. but the questions raised, the
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-
q no al ton,
held under it, it would more firmly es-
tablish selfgovernment 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 f-government. 1t had
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. snow
ing that we can't run our own govern
ment. Congress might pass the law,
but it is a question as to whether they
will give us the right to amend 1t.
Congress would suit itself and would
to-,
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; certain portion should
be eliminated.
A few days ago public officials We're
indicted and the very Legislature which |
passed the county act was openly ac-
cused Of being composed of thieves, |
grafters and looters. Washington |
would naturally think such men are not |
fit to pass laws.
Beckiey said that If the attempt was
made the chances We're that a county
act would be forced down our threats
which we didn't wan. Congress has
enough troubles of it's own and as the
legislature had been given full power
to make the law, 1t should be DONE
The law should be tested in the Su-
preme Court and resolution should
be passed to that effect. The people
in mass meeting should have been con-
suited before Hatch was sent to Wash
ington. He did not represent the vo-
tiers of the Territory. Beckley closed
with the statement that the law was
a good one until knocked out by the
courts.
OFFERS RESOLUTION.
j. A. Matthewman offered a resolu-
ton proposing test case in the SUI
preme Court. THE Supreme Court
has said that the present act is in
valid as far as it relates to the Board
Of Public Institutions because the title
two subjects. 1 believe that
the other portion is invalid for the
same reason. We have more powers
here than are usually given to terri
tories. We are in semi-statehood
class. To take a step backward by
showing incapacity and incompetency ,