The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1904-02-05
ELECTRIC LIGHT FRANCHISE
AS DEBATED IN THE HOUSE

I now yield five minutes to the gen
tleman from Iowa (Mr. Lacey.
Mr.. Lacey. Mr.. Speaker, i had pre-
pared an amendment which I intended
to offer at the proper time, but asSthis
bill will unauestionably be recommitted
/ want to make this suggestion. This
House has been sitting SIS a board of
supervisors, or board of county com
missioners, for the District of Column
bia for a good many years, and we
have had to meet just such questions as
these from session to session, and we
have invariably inserted this clause in
all these special franchises and char
ters:. THAT Congress reserves the
right to alter. amend, or repeal this
act
I had prepared an amendment apply
ing it to the proposed law, providing
that this act shall be subject to
amendment or repeal by the legislature
of the Territory of Hawaii, or the Con-
gress," so that either of them could
amend or repeal it. This ought to be
added, whether we adopt the ten-year
franchise or not. There ought never to
be a franchise of this kind granted
without reserving the power to alter
and repeal and if the bill goes back to
the committee I would suggest to the
gentleman the adoption of this amend
ment, which we always insert in Dis
trict of Columbia bills under like cir
cumstances-that it ought to be in
Guided in this act for the protection of
the people of Honolulu.
Mr. Hamilton. I think that would be
an excellent idea.
Mr. Lilley. now yield five minutes
to the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr.
Hid.
Mr.. Hill of Connecticut. Mr.. Speaker,
I should be very sorry to see this bill
go back to Hawaii without an APPROX
al of some kind. 1, do not think we
ought to do it. This company is OPP
Grating now without any franchise. If
the statements of the committee are to
be relied on, it is now practically a
joint partnership. I do not think so.
In looking this over think this is about
the way the thing has come up: Ten
years ago the King gave to certain
gentlemen the privilege of operating an
electric-light plant, 212 per cent of the
earnings to be paid to the Government.
In 1900, as near as I can get at it,
small joint stock company was organ
lied under the general law. That is the
way understand 1t, small joint stock
company of $780, 600. Noticing in the bill
that no reference was made to anything |
of that kind, I asked a question about |
it's franchise, There is nothing in here |
providing for capital stock. There is |
nothing in here providing for an annual |
meeting of the stockholders. There is |
nothing in here protecting the rights |
of the stockholders in any way, and /
think, if the committee will dig deeper, |
it will find that there is a joint stock
company, ana then this additional pow
er is given them by the Territorial leg
islature.
Now. think it would be a mistake to
send this back and say that you may
operate under general law. Why
Because do not think it would be right
that the Territory should make gen
eral law by which anybody could or
ganize joint stock company and take
possession of the streets and highways
in Honolulu. They tried that in the
State of Connecticut, and We refused
absolutely to throw open the public
highways to the possession of any three
people who might get together and or
ganize a joint stock company and take
possession of them. We say they are
public propertX-and if you want to use
hem for street railways you must go to
the legislature and show the necessity
for such action.
I think the people of Honolulu are
acting rightly in regard to this matter
I hope that this committee will bring
IN a special act; but, Mr.. Speaker. 1t
should not allow an unlimited capital
cation; it should not allow the corpora
ion to change it's name or unite at VIII
with any other company, as it would
nave the right to do under the proVi-
sion on page of this bill It should
not have the right to take possession
Of private property for the purpose OF
stringing whatever wires ii might
choose to put UP. I know it is a dis Il