The Hawaiian gazette., 1904-07-22

Educational and health department
matters in the Territory should not be
given over to the control of the proposed
county governments, judging from the
remarks of Federal Judge Dole, Asso-
ciate Justice f. NJ. Hatch, Prof. Nj. NJ.
Scott, Attorney w. T. Rawlins, f. >.
Dodge and other citizens who spoke last
evening before the County Act Com
mission.
Associate Justice Hatch stated that
the legislature made a mistake when
It decided to establish county govern
ment in the islands first and munich
palities afterward. He was of the opin-
ion that the matter was being present
ed hind-end foremost, and that town
government should be the initial basis
of all local self-government.
Whether the Boards of Supervisors
should be elected by the voters, or ap-
pointed by the Governor, was ques-
tion gone over carefully. The possible
Intervention of Congress was suggested
by most of the speakers. 1t was
thought advisable to frame an act,
which, should it be decided by the
courts that the counties had not the
power TO elect their Boards of Super
visors, would permit their selection by
the Governor.
A good point was made by Attorney
Rawlins as to the wisdom of the Gov
ernor having the right to appoint
Boards of Supervisors and other boards.
He raised the supposition of a Demo-
cratic victory for President in which
case a Democratic governor would nat
urally appoint Democratic Boards of
Supervisors and other boards, although
the Republicans might be in the MAORI
ty.
JUDGE DOLE ON ACT.
The Commission members were all
present with the exception of Beckley
who is now on Maui, Mr.. Cooper being
in the chair. In the audience were
Judge S. B. Dole, Justice f. Nj. Hatch,
Delegate Kalanianaole, Attorney-G Cen
eral Andrews, Attorney w. 7. Rawlins,
F. S. Dodge. ]. G. Pratt, Prof. NJ. NJ.
Scott, w. X. Sims.
The chair stated that the Commits
sion was basing it's work on the act of
1903. He stated also that no argument
on the desirablity or undesirability of
County Act was necessary as the
Commission had been organized merely
to frame an act. He called upon Judge
Dole for an expression of his views on
the subject of questions propounded
from the last meeting, the principal one
of which concerned the election or ap-
pontment of the Boards of Supervisors
Judge Dole said he came to listen and
not to discuss the matter.
II have some views" added Judge
Dole, more or less definite. The mat
ter of the legal question we cannot pos
sibly settle at present. Congress may
settle it for us by legislation, but 1
think we are powerless in that particu-
lar. We may guess at it, but it seems
to me that the policy of the govern
ment here is to enact a county law
which shall have as few pitfalls as pos
sible. If there is an uncertain element
about it / believe it is sound policy to
accept the situation and provide for
boards appointed by the Governor.
IF we wish to progress in this mat
ter | think it is a sound thing to do.
We have already had experience in the
matter of framing an act which ought
to deter us from seeking too much. We
tried to get too much in the act and
consequently failed of getting anything
| am in favor of making a small begin
ming, sufficient for the different parts of
the islands to effect their organizations.
self-government l am in favor of n
very small form of county government
to begin with because l think our peo-