Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-04-18
PLEASED
GOV. CARTER CALLS AN EXTRA
SESSION OF THE LEGISLATURE.
CLONE Rulers" Promise to Be Good
and to Transact Business A
Change of Sentiment.
Special Correspondence of The Evening Star.


HONOLULU, T. H, March %, 1904.
In calling an extra session of the legis-
lature, which he has done against the ad-
vice of nearly all his official and political
associates, Gov Carter seems likely to do
more to conciliate the Hawaiians and
make friends Of them than has been done
before since the overthrow The almost
universal opposition to asking the legis-
lature to settle the financial difficulties
in which the government is involved was
based on the showing of incompetency
so far made by the legislature and the
revelations of corruption among members
of the house. The native legislator has
come to be looked upon with contempt in
Honolulu, and certainly his record so far
merits 1t. The governor, however, in
sisted that the natives could do better If
given the opportunity. He consulted with
them freely, and finally, on assurances
that the session would be devoted to
business, and not to politics. speeches and
idle resolutions, he issued a proclamation
calling a session.
The governor told those with whom he
had conferences, both white and native
members of the legislature and political
leaders, that the fitness of the people of
Hawaii for self-government was virtu
ally on trial in the present crisis Carter
is plain spoken and very direct in his
utterances, and it was easy for the ma
tive to see the idea, that it was really a
question of his races fitness to make it's
own laws, that the executive referred to.
His conferences had two effects which it
is hoped by those who are supporting his
administration will be beneficial One was
putting the Hawaiians on their mettle
and the other was inspiring them with
qualification at finding themselves freely
consulted and taken into confidence and
conference as they have not been to any
very great extent in recent years.
Home Rulers Pleased.
The Honolulu Independent organ of
the unpacified. the royalists and kickers
generally, and always bitterly opposed to
Carter and Dole and almost every one
else except the native Hawaiians who are
In Office has suddenly come to the sup
port Of the governors legislative pro-
gram. 1t said in a recent issue that he is
the first high government official to seek
ADVICE from natives as well as whites
since Americans came into control. There
Is no doubt that the home rule leaders
were pleased and the Hawaiians gener-
ally grat1fied at the governors showing
or coincidence in them. In the same way
the native members of the legislature are
anxious to show that they are worthy of
the confidence and that the charge that
the legislature in which they largely pre-
dominate is incompetent is not founded
on fact. 1t is possible that Carters trust
In the Hawaiians will inspire better re-
suits.
Some Of the leaders and legislators
with whom the governor had conferences
were OF a character to illustrate the ex-
treme democracy of his policy Every
class was represented. Carter sent for
politicians of all sorts and put the propo-
sltion to them, Would the legislature
work? Could it be depended upon not to
sraft! Would it spend sixty days in
Wrangl1ng and spending money and then
want an extension of time to complete
Its business? From home rulers the an
swer was invariably a promise to hold
business session" From whites in
many cases the answer was an expression
or doubt that the Hawaiian legislators
could De made to work in session In a
majority OF cases the answer of white
leaders was that the legislature was a
worthless body Of grafters and incompe-
tents and the administration should ie-
more 1T and struggle along with its own
pohcy' regardless of lawmakers. The gov
ernor took the Hawaiian view called the
legislature, and now he is to see the test.
dawalians are pleased at an almost mn
precedented mark of confidence from the
cnieI executive, and a better feeling pre-
Ealls among the "unreconstructed" Of
Hawaii. VI