The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1904-08-26
.C0UNTY LEGISLATION IS
!. DISCUSSED BY GOVERNOR
Sound Reasons Why Full County Government
Would be Unsatisfactory in These Islands.
Meeting Of the Commission Last Night

through road mioht maintain II as such,
but another district might not have much
, use for ii and neglect it.
"Wharves: believe strongly they
should be under Territorial control.
HEALTH UNDER TERRITORY.
Health matters: Decidedly Terri
torial. A conflict between local authori-
ties on matters OF health and epidesnics
might create very unfortunate situa.
ton; such as the quarantiiling OF one
portion of an island against another, and
, the differences of opinion as to the neces-
sity of quarantining might create situ-
/ alton that would be distressing. Health
supervision OF the Territorial depart
ment. just as they are coming to the
conclusion on the mainland that the ma
tional board of health is of vital necessi-
tv and the only means by which differ
ences can be leveied between States, for
one State under the old way will say
quarantine and neighborng State will
not and there is conflict of authority.
ONE SCHOOL STANDARD.
con educational matters the necessity
for one standard of teaching, the advan-
tage of having teachers OF the same
standard so that they can interchange
from one island to another brings for
ward the necessity for Territorial control
of the educational dcpartme IT.
POLICE UNDER COUNTY.
"The question of the police and courts
and perhaps, OF the roads, other than
those | have mentioned, might well be
given to county control to begin with
HOLD TERRITORY'S ASSETS.
There are other matters that arise
which have not been touched upon by
these questions you have propounded.
which to my mind are important and are
in line with questions involved in the
distribution OF the property OF the Terri
tory. | mean an asset of the Territory
paid for by Territorial taxes and refer
to the right or the Justice of dividing
that and turning it over to the counties.
To illustrate more forcibly. suppose
municipality were started in Honolulu.
Is it Just to the taxpayers of the other
islands to turn the water works of Ho-
nolulu over to the municipality without
any compensation or without anything
given as security against the loss of that
which is an asset to secure the Territorial
debt?
Take for instance the question of Our
sewerage system, which was built prior
to annexation by the issuance of Terri
torial bonds, the interest of which is be-
ing paid by the lerritory. Would you
turn that system over to Honolulu or the
county of Honolulu without compen
sating the other islands for their loss
of that asset?
"These are questions which face us
when we discuss how to take the Terri
torial government full-hedged and in
operation with all the property it owns,
and attempt to divide it up among the
counties.
AN OVERWHELMING TASK:
81 am free TO say that it seems to me
like an almost overwhelming task that
we are undertaking. The question of
property-who is to establish the value
OF the property is all important. If it is
right that the Territory should be COM
pensated for its surrender OF all interest
in any of our public works then see the
interminable work of finding out what
that compensation should be.
IF county government is in force is it
! right for the Territorial government to
allow a portion of its bonds to be used
! in the construction OF county property? !?
| | sometimes doubt whether the people
/ of the other islands would care so much
| for county government if it be fact
that the proceedings OF the sale of Ter
ritorial bonds could not be used for any
thing local to the counties.
These thoughts as to the financial re-
lations of the county government with
the Territorial government are an impor-
tant factor in bringing to my mind the
ease with whicn we could take hold ot
municipal bill and put that in opera
ton.
Il certainly think that il we establish
a county for Oahu that we shall have
no right TO turn over TO it the assets OF
the property of the Territory without
a return 1t might be the county coulo
issue bonds and give them to the Terri
tory 1t is argued that the transfer OF
property to the counties is for the benefit
OF the same people and therefore il
. makes no difference. Such arguments
show that the people giving expression
, to them have no idea of county govern
ment which is as absolutely separate il
its operations from the Territory as th'
, Federal is from the State,
IN HEARTY ACCORD.
, 81 am in hearty accord with the feel
ing OF the people OF the Territory i,
, their desire to bring about such change
here As will give them an opportnnit
for advancing the interests OF the Quite
!, districts, Ii YOU can arrange some iorr
that would tend 10 chat end We will d
, great good TO the people,
c WANTS SIMPLE FORM,
Whatever form oi Acl the commits
sion passes upon hope II viii be q
simple as possible and With as Jew otli
cIals as possible An people Nlhrate hs
I tween divided power ana 2enlrallatol
S NluN desire ln dygymalEp and pW nnl
, power u lhg hands pl m1ry lhan ems.
u We anpll ssl until Wg haNg lugd
. which F going ll hf llW mnsl suefeii
y iW p.su t lhlse islands II lhf psu
2 ul luW NNlh rs sn all Which n fmp.
n Nf Np,I HINn HIINlnttl In Nn fhfft
n lNn H HhlIl NnlNAlriA h ssugahlN
\ lhf si.aI NHlHlin M lhi pfHlf 81
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