The Hawaiian gazette., 1904-08-12

| devoted several meetings to listening
to views on county matters from
prominent citizens of all political
| faiths got down to earnest work last
night in pruning the County Act pass
ed by the legislature of 1903
A native was the only spectator pres
ent and at the conclusion of the COM
missions pruning of the act he was
asked for his views on the subject.
After having read the statements
made here by prominent citizens" said
he, II am very strongly in favor Of
an elective Board of Supervisors. If
the supervisors were appointed IT would
destroy the intent of county govern
ment.
| II confess that l really don't know
anything of county government, for it
is something new to us here, but from
arguments 1 have heard advanced 1
| think 1t Is due to us Hawaiians or as
others would like to say-'Americans'-
to give us the right of enjoying the
privileges of Americans.
with regard to the appointive pow
er, that would give the Governor too
much power. 1 believe that is one Of
the features not wanted-centraliza-
ton of power. I think the idea of
county government is to decentralize
power. We have had enough of GEN.
tralization of power.
Il go on the provision of the Organic
Act that the Boards to be appointed by
the Governor mean those Boards al
ready in existence. l think it means
road boards etc. I think the Board
of Supervisors must be elected to per-
| fectly conform to the intent of the
Organic Act.
II think the counties should have the
control of the schools and health mat
ters.
Would you take health matters out
OF the control of a centralized board?"
was asked of the speaker.
well, I'm not sure of what is done
4, in the States"
The conditions here are far differ
ent from those in the States" said
Chairman Cooper. I'VE have to Crap
pie with health matters coming from
foreign countries
| well. then, believe that each
county should look after it's own health
matters subject to a Territorial board.
II do not believe in appealing to
Congress but believe we should work
out our own salvation here, because by
appealing to Congress for every little
thing makes this Territory like a lit
tie child always crying out for milk
and candy to Congress when 1t can be
had here
Have you any fear as to an eff
cient, economic administration under
county law" was asked.
| Oh thot
the reply.
DIVIDING THE DISTRICTS.
The Commission took UP the further
consideration of the County Act pass
ed by the Legislature of 1908, begin
ming with Chapter concerning the
division OF the counties into districts.
Mr. Watson thought Oahu should be
divided into districts as known in the
law, so that the description OF the
boundaries should appear. The same
was thought advisable for districts on
the other islands.
Mr.. Watson proposed that the dis
tricts therein referred to shall be as
now defined and existing by law. This
was carried unanimously.
Chapter g. referring to the general
Boards OF Supervisors should exercise
the powers conferred.
Section 4. In which IL was stated that
each of the several counties shall be
n body cooperate and polite and have
the powers specified in this act and
such other powers as are necessarily
implied" was discussed at length.
, Chairman Cooper did not like to have
: any portion of the act go In by i'm
) plcation. Mr.. Watson thought it
would be too great a task for the COM
mission to attempt to go into the de-
tails of duties that might arise for the
various officers. Mr.. Stewart thought
that the implied phrase would tend 10
enlarge the powers directly given. Mr..
Cooper believed this would involve a
danger, Under the implied form the
power would be given Boards OF super
visors TO grant franchise because OF
the claim Of an inherent right to give
the privilege.
Mr. Cooper thought that under the
implied form one county would claim
IL could levy taxes not directly EN-
powered by the act, The question OF
bonding could also be implied under
the wording OF the clause, Mr., Watson
suggested that the section end as fol.
lows; And such other powers as are
necessary or incident thereto"
Mr. Cooper suggested the sentence
'and such other powers as are neoes-
slrlly implied therrfrom
This idea prevailed
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