Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1904-07-27

tthulhB itIIltoIldilgs anu are dppOlHl-
ed by the Public Works.
Smith Presents Ideas.
Chairman Cooper asked that w. o..
Smith give to the Commission any sug-
gestions or ideas that he might wish
to oblige with.
Mr.. Smith.-Three years ago D.
worked on charter for the City OF
Honolulu and later on the deceased
county act. would like to draw your
attention to why so many persons on
the various islands advocate county
government and what is the real mean
ing of the desire for county govern
ment. First: The people want 20
have voice in the administration of
local affairs. Second: The people wan,
the control OF the disbursement of pub
lie moneys; moneys available for pub
lie uses. Then they want registry, a
recorders office and each Islands wants
to elect a district attorney.
When we attempt the task of fran
ing q full-nedged county act we meet
with great difficulties. Many thinking
men are disappointed with the last at
tempt. Since the last act was declared
invalid many intelligent and represen-
tative men have modified their views as
&c what they believe is needed in the
way Of county system.
Counties Premature.
II was opposed to the county expert
ment and l believe now that county
government is premature. However
there was demand for county govern
ment and both parties were committed
to II. For these reasons | worked in
good faith with others to frame an act.
1T has occurred to me that modi-
fed form of county government might
be tried. | have drafted the main fea-
lures of my idea. These include the
election Of county and other officers.
THE experiment which we recently
had was not fair test of county gov
eminent, but at the same time the re-
suit was not encouraging. either to the
Hawaiians or their white brethren. In
some parts of the Islands there was
disappointment to people who had adj
vocated this form OF government
However. having in mind ideas OF
my own, had drafted in my Office a
form Of County Government. the main
features OF which were the division OF
the islands into counties; board OF
five supervisors to be elected in each
county, following the election plan now
1T force; the election of certain other
officers such as the sheriff. to have the
appointment of his deputies: the cleo
ton Of tax assessor to have thesap-
ton Of a district attorney. to be an
assistant to the attorney general, the
election OF county clerk TO be re-
corder, etc.
No Power to Tax.
II would not give to the counties the
: power to tax or appropriate; this pow
err should remain with the Territory,
leaving the matter with the Senators
and Representatives, the appropria-
tons made by the Legislature to he at
! the disposal of the boards Of Superyis-
e ors OF the various counties.
4 II believe that such modified sys-
q TEN OF connty government would prove
: q step in advance In the right direction
{ There would be less danger in such a
g system than II the whole control of af-
e fairs were left with the majority OF the
: voters. We should not be too abrupt.
= For American Ideas.
a Chairman Cooper called on John En-
meluth to address the Commission.
Q Mr.. Emmeuth.-l was one of the
= original promoters of annexation. My
o stand Is that of an American. | was
y born and raised in America and have
0 voted there for various county and
other officers and for President of the
d United States.
Il have no patience with that ele-
ment which opposes the most complete
Q American methods in the administra
I ton and progress Of government af
s fairs.
e II have no patience with any discus
), sion as to whether the members of tn,
# county Boards Of Supervisors should b,
elected or appointed by the Governor
i In my mind there is absolutely no ques
tion as TO the right way.
d Should Be Elected.
: County boards should be elected ant
Q. they would be elected No Congress
= of the United States would ever ordaiI
IS differently.
+ IF was member Of this Commits
10 sion | would not for q moment entel
1t into any discussion on the election
Chairman Cooper.-We are all in fay
OF the election OF the boards, but tn
e question Is: Can we, under the Organic
,r Act, safely proceed to provide for th'
d, election Of these boards, IN DRAFTING
the act?"
to MIR Emmeluth.-lf this Commission
will draw up the act, providing for cleo
e. ton, and submit the matter to the PEG
b. pie of the country, the question will b
d. decided for all time. agree wit
II. Judge Dole. that Congress, that tn
Organic Act never contemplated tn
to appointment OF these local boards.
I'd Commissioner Stewart.-But, assum