The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1904-03-19
A COVE RNMENT
FOR THESE ISLANDS

eminent is that it is American that il
so flimsy that it is best refuted by tn,
assertion that a copyist is the loves
type we have amongst US. To cop!
American institutions merely becaus,
they are American, or even to bolster
up such action by plausible argument.
that they have proven beneficial where
tried is begging the question.
There is an innate fitness in govern
ment which appeals to the thoughtful
of the community. Those who are ac-
quainted with the geography of the is
lands, with the population of the is
lands, with the property of the islands
| collectively or individually, know well
! that the defunct county act was not
adapted to Hawaii. 1t was top heavy,
to use a nautical expression, and would
Iassuredly overbalance the ballast. To
construct five counties out of material
which was barely adequate for one,
merely because the geography suggest
| ed such a division, without taking into
consideration the census and property
of the aliquot parts was unwise. To
provide for the election of a multiplied
ty of officers without a consideration of
| the elements making up the census was
equally unwise. TO require the erection
of the requisite county buildings and
the supporting of an army of officers
without viewing the property to be as
sessed whereon to raise the funds was
in keeping with a legislature which
would saddle future generations with a
bonded debt and grant away franchises
for long periods depriVing even their
grandchildren of their rights.
To many it appeared necessary that
a change should be made in the form
of the government of the Territory and
an excisement of the expensive and
valueless forms inherited from mon
archy and the Republic. But to fly
off the handle and erect a system of
counties, which multiplied rather than
diminished the number of offices, and
added to the expense of government,
was most reprehensible.
Self-government is an inherent right
which we have and we should neither
fly to Congress for a county act nor
slavishly copy that of a state or terri
tory which has proven beneficial there,
in that we admit that the geography,
census. and property of the islands
unite to form a condition which has
not it's counterpart elsewhere.
We are in receipt of much aid from
the general government in supplying
NAC C@A'(0NANC anu AICC 1AOAA
direct cost to us, and also possibility
of obtaining much more in the form
Of public improvements.
The necessity of retrenchment of gov
ernmental expenses is brought home to
US and we ought to have ingenuity
sufficient to formulate a style of gov
eminent which will meet the require
ments.
IF like fha- HnOIlT1-
ty'' or shire because the implication
is that it is division of a State or
Territory, why not call cur act the
Territorial Act and proceed to initiate
a Territory with Honolulu for its cap
ital, governed by eight supervisors, one
each from Kauai, Oahu, Maui, East
Hawaii, West Hawaii, the City of Hilo,
and two from the City of Honolulu. |
Such a supervisoriaI board would have |
the place and power of the legislatur |
and it's enactments would be subject !
to the veto of the Governor. In electing |
Of but eight instead of forty-five there |
is no doubt that a superior body of |
men would be brought forward and |
much money would be saved in salaries |
and expenses, and the wisdom of such |
a concrete body could be depended up |
On.
Although Congress has enacted law |
making provision for the government |
II the Territory of Hawaii which pro- |
Vldes or continues a cumbrous legis-
allure and other officers which under l
he monarchy was compared by the |
Mark Twain to the machin-
cry OF the Great Eastern to run a sar-
line box Congress can be relied on to
'eview the conditions and situation |
provided the matter is intelligently put |
before it, and will make such an
amendment to the Organic Act as the
people of Hawaii suggest.
1t is frequently stated on the streets |
hat one of our large business houses
ould manage the finances and govern
nent OF Hawaii for a tenth part of the |
resent amount expended for officers
alaries.
This may be true but it is neces-
airy that certain established forms
hould be maintained and the dignity /
I the Government of Hawaii not de-
arted from.
The present stringency in the treas
ry brings home to US the urgent ne
essity in economy in governmental ex-
endftures and is caused by the loss of
he customs receipts and by the effect
t the Organic Act in tying up the pow
+ of the Territory to bond itself for
ther than certain defined purposes.
L would suggest that the Governor
dominate a committee of five or seven
Gentlemen to formulate and present
imple form of government for the
territory. That said brief form be
placed before the elector at the gen
raj election, and, if adopted by a ma
orlty that Bill in consonance with
be then drawn and presented to the
oming legislature.
We are not hunting for a County
Act' but a simple yet complete form Il
or government of the Territory of
hawaii. ]. w. GIRVIN.
--s%~
NO FRIEND LIKE AN OLD |,
'RIEND.-He will always help Won in