The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1904-08-26
tFrom Wednesdays AdvertlserO

Il read while was away the accounts
| OF your opening meetings, wherein were
indicated the varying ideas OF persons
appearing before you on this subject
| showing the earnestness with which YOU
| have taken hold OF this matter. | know
little, however of the extent to which
you have progressed, or your modus
operandi."
Chairman Cooper then outlined the
views expressed by number of gentle
men appearing before the commission
at various meetings, quoting principally
from Judge Dole, Justice Hatch and w.
O. Smith The questions propounded by
| the commission and sent to all parts of
the islands for wide and varied ex-
preston OF views, were also read for the
| benefit OF the Governor.
"The first question" said the Cover
nor, "is one concerning the legal status
of the entire matter, and is as to wheth-
er officials should be appointed or elect
ed. am not competent to pass upon
that as it involves the limitations of the
Organic Act and it is a question for the
legal fraternity to settle There should
be no chances taken in this matter
"lhe whole question of county gov
Cl IlllCllb - OllC ny WHICH lIlt people lC
seeking relief from centralized form
OF government. 1t is pressed particular
| ly by those residing on the other islands
| They have felt that the officials in Ho-
nolulu who have the final say concerning
governmental matters, are wholly apart
and separate from them. They have
little opportunity to be heard on i'm
provements, or changes affecting their
own interests.
mo doubt the conditions on these is
lands or the outer districts would be
much improved il the people there were
in closer touch with whatever form of
government there may be over them.
| This would result in their taking more
interest in public matters and becoming
| better citizens. But the difficulties sur-
rounding the attempt of the people OF this
| territory, to institute counties with legiS-
lative. judicial and executive depart
ments. will bring about unique condi-
ton OF affairs.
VETOES AND APPOINTMENTS.
when you ask me to express what |
would consider the Executives idea in
this matter in order that your work
: woud conform with such ideas so as to
|
and the final veto power, | would only
answer that it is impossible for me, with
the responsibility OF the Executive upon
me, to give a comprehensive reply.
| There are so many questions that arise.
| can only decide on the question OF the
use of the veto power when the final
matter comes to me eventually after the
act has passed through the stages neces-
sary to bring it to that point.
Taking up these questions asked, the
| appointive power frst-it seems to me
that it is somewhat doubtful as to wheth-
cr the Organic Act intended the Cover
nor should make such appointments, but
| if so | doubt il such an act would be
satisfactory TO the Legislature. Perhaps,
Mr.. Chairman. the suggestion you make
is the possible solution (to establish
county government with appointive
offices and in case the Supreme Court
knocked that out to permit the elective
form to become effectve.) But | don't
believe that is satisfactory Would it
meet the wishes of the people?
I'VE must remember that we have
only about 100000 people in the Terri
tory. Many OF the districts on the other
islands have not large population, and
from this point OF view | sometimes
doubt whether their craving for this par
ticular form OF government is wise, anc
| wonder whether or not their wishes
cannot be met by some other course thar
actual county l-tiedgeC
county government such as is in opera
ton on the mainland. | mean whethe
or not a modified form would not bring
the people. in touch with the machiner.
over them and not be too expensive.
PORTO RICO'S EXAMPLE.
Il have been impressed with the stu
alton in Porto Rico where condition
are somewhat similar to ours in tha
they had ful-tledged government an,
went through an entire change in goinl
into the possession OF the United States
notice that there they have measur
OF self-government, greater than W
r have here in their municipal control o
the cities and towns, where they hav
the election OF their city officials an
, disbursements OF the proportion OF tn
: tax which goes to the benefit OF tn
. municipality,
, 1T came principally to my attention a
/ TO whether or not such course Woul
> not be, perhaps, the best method OF an
, swering this demand on the part OF III
people by beginning with municipal GOV
, eminent ior such towns and villages q
? might desire IL, and from that workln
( into counties
4 ~ understand since my feturn th'
1, this idea has been expressed 10y Justc
e Hatch ! was not aware OF % at th
i time ! read oi the situation in Port
y Rico
3 CONTROL or UTILITIES
3 "lhr question oi lhe t1pnly eonU,
ut srhnns, health matters oads, brides
aul NhsN,s ON lhal sHre ! slrunb
hr.lDe lhat gsnAm ral. thaNnE
Imul thg uupwulHD lU U kg i've epnl
y $50 ru lltNAIl should Ig lfrrlWu
n h tuWt iHINn would hf HAfi a
NJ heavily N maWlHH lhtW I8kg lHs
Y Ih rfsif u pf huui oupi lhl +
n ,Wl M llHNHl ihf maW Nfnlf lll
p I.l il#W HN iIllN HN sHl.NI II
'mh ~ ilN Utha NN lWf FHlf
lNfh Ntl iHf tA.H lNN#