The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1903-12-04

Governor Carter said Tuesday ne
did not know whether or not the Ad-
yertiser's statement that copy OF that
days issue would go into the hands OF
every Senator and Representative in
Congress was to be taken as threat
against Mr.. Hatch's mission, but II II
was to be so understood he considered
that the Advertiser was working an
injury to the public of this Territory
by its attitude. From this the Gov
ernor went on to say:
1T Is assumed that the idea OF Mr..
Hatch's trip is a tacit admission to
Congress that we are not competent to
enact county bill, and that we want
to obtain law which cannot be modi-
fled except by Act of Congress.
Now, it is a physical impossibility to
get decision of our Supreme Court
on the County Act before the first OF
January. Neither can we obtain a SUI
preme Court decision on a submission
of facts, as l understand. If we could
get decision, 1t would only be upon
specific case and would not prevent
a disgruntled taxpayer from taking an
appeal upon a different case.
1.-THE situation Is grave because II
county governments come into effect
and be operated for a little while and
then the Act get knocked out, there
WILDE chaos before the Legislature
could be summoned to rectify the trou-
BILE.
THE people of the Territory have ex-
pressed their desire for county govern
ment. Both political parties have TAX
en- it up and put their best efforts on it.
Hence it would not be sincere, nor
show good faith, to neglect to do any
the plan.
IAN Mr.. Hatch proposes to do Is to
find out whether there is any POSSIBLE
ity of getting Congress to ratify the
County Act and the election, subject to
further amendments by the Territorial
Legislature. All that we say is that
we are perfectly capable of legislating
for ourselves.
There are differences OF opinion as
to whether or not this Act conflicts
with their-the Organic Act-and If
they ratify the County Act it will give
confidence and enable those in charge
of county government to proceed with
some chance of success.
There is nothing secret about the
| thing at all, but if the Advertiser
wants to imply threat by sending a
copy of today's paper to every member
of Congress it will do the Territory
harm.
! Unless Congress acts in our behalf
in the manner desired, see no alterna-
tl,n
Legislature. Attorneys are at work
trying to upset the Act. Whether
they succeed or not heir efforts will
prevent success. Capitalists will not
lend money to the counties while I'M
certainty of their status remains.
For one in this administration, I am
in favor of local self-govenment, de-
centralizing, to stop paternalsm of
which we in the past have been ac-
cused."
When, with reference to his dis
claimer of secrecy, the Governor was
reminded that Mr.. Hatch had departed
on his mission before anything re-
garding the matter had been divulged
for publication, he replied:
Mr.. Hatch is not sent to Washing
ton by the Government, but by outside
parties who take an interest in having
the uncertainty settled"
Governor Carter referred to the re-
quest from Maui county officials for a
conference to be called by him as a
fresh evidence of the dependence of the
people throughout the islands on the
central authority in Honolulu, which it
was the intent to replace with popular
self-dependence. With the immense
expenditures required for various pub
lie services of the Territory which
there were not visible means adequate
ly to meet, the Governor considered 1t
was high time the people took charge of
their purely local affairs and realized
as well that they We're the taxpayers
who had to provide for both Territorial
and County necessities. The eXpe-
rience would be their best education in
civic responsibilities and tend to put
an end to graft and extravaganza.
MIR. LOWREY'S VIEWS,
Frederick j. Lowrey of Levers &
Cooke, Ltd, on being asked II the
Chamber of Commerce had taken any
action with regard to Mr. Hatch's mis-
sion, or what was the attitude of that
I
body thereto, replied:
II cannot say, as details OF business
are now left by the Chamber to the
board OF directors and there are fewer
general meetings than formerly.
"But l hope that they are not back
ing such a thing. 1t is a dreadful mis-
take. l am surprised II Mr.. Hatch
has really gone to Washington on such
an errand, it seems so entirely incon-
| sstent with the fight the Bar Assoc
citation is making with regard to Terri
torial officers and appeals.
Here we have been agitating for
home rule in our own affairs, and the
right to manage the Territory's bust
ness for ourselves. Now are We send
ing some one to Washington to beg fol
Federal interference in our business
OF county government? 1t looks like
| throwing away the whole principle for
which we have been contending,
Suppose that the Supreme Court
here should decide that the entire
County Act is invalid on account OF a
defect in its title, or other cause, II
would be better. In my oplnian, ever
l G.,Nr Nfl axTf,