The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1904-09-28
CANDIDATE SHAW AN Ex.THIrF.

1he truth aDOuI the .fAIJn DlSLf1cI Ike
publican ticket is coming to the surface
Night before last candidate Maize
Iona, in a speech giving reasons why h
should be elected. offered as one. tina
he favored the passage of a law per
hitting public gambling. The Adver
tiser is reliably informed that Mr. Ma
helona has been a consistent advocat,
of gambling. both private as well a.
public, for some time past.
And now it appears that Mr. Jas
Shaw is an ex-thief. having been con
victed and served a term for larceny.
Gambling is worse form of thievery
than simple larceny, for a plain thief
takes the chance of being shot while
he is getting away with the plumber
while the gambler skins his victims in
cold blood with no danger to himself.
Mr. Shaw's fine sense of honor is
shown by the fact that although he
knew that he was prohibited by law
from holding. either legislative or exec
utive Office, he accepted the Republican
nomination for the Legislature two
years ago. and has been illegally draw
ing salary as a policeman for a time
past.
Now that Mr.. Shaw has. by the grace
of the pardoning power, been once more
legally placed among the ranks of
honest men, there may be no objection
to his continuing to be policeman.
There are many and varied qualities
required in the police department, and
there is an old adage which renders Mr..
Shaw's abilities peculiarly valuable in
his present employment.
But, even though pardoned a month
or so before his nomination. does the
Territory of Hawaii need Mr.. Shaw's
peculiar talents enough to make it good
policy for the Republican party to hold
him up as one> who represents it's
ideals? Can the party point to him
with pride? %
The Advertiser is somewhat curious
to know what the party managers will
do about the recent developments.
VIII they repudiate Mahelona and his
gambling program, or will their prfn-
cipal speakers go on speaking from the
same platform without word of re-
buke or dissent?
Does the party approve of public
gambling or does it not?
Is not the issue presented in such
cIear-cut fashion that if the PROPOSE
ton is not promptly squelched, it viii
leave the party in the position of
acquiescing by silence?
And how about Shaw? Can the party
afford to carry him. or do the party
managers think that an ex-thief will
call out the full party strength, and
stampede the Home Rulers?
The Advertiser not being regular
loes not assume to attempt to dictate
TO the party managers which course
hey should pursue. Out of their wis
lom and experience with the local cleo
-orate they may deem that the policies |
and qualities typifed by Mahelona,an |
Shaw will draw votes instead of re-
Delling them. But whatever they do. |
heir action should be short. sharp and
The voters of Honolulu are entitled !
to know at the earliest possible date
whether the Republican party of Ha-
waii has a public gambling plank up
It's sleeve or not.
They are also entitled to know wheth-
er they are to be asked to vote for an
ex-thief, who has previously sought |
their votes under false pretences, and
who, until a month ago, was illegally |
drawing public salary.
The community awaits the outcome |
with eager interest