The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1904-07-27

ties would not have the power to tax
or appropriate, this to be reserved to
the legislature of the territory. plac-
ing the matter in the hands of the SEN
ators and representatives, the appro-
priations to be at the disposal of the
Boards of Supervisors of the various
counties
THAT, it seems to me, would be a
step in advance with less attendant
dangers, rather than the establishment
the theoretical democratic form of
county government. I think in this
change in our system of government
here the new things should not be
brought about too abruptly. There
has been a series of steps right long;
first at the overthrow; then with the
establishment of the republic; again at
annexation and again with the instaila
ton of the Territorial form of govern
ment. This new change would be an
education and would avoid some of the
dangers which the thinking man of all
shades would like to see avoided. In
many of the counties the majority of
voters have had little or no experience
in politics. I would rather learn to
swim nearer the shore than to be pitch
ed out into midocean and told to swim,
but where I might sink. After learn
ing near shore 1 could probably sur
vive in mid-ocean.'
John EmmeIuth was the next speak
er and prefaced his remarks by saying
that he was one of the original pro-
motors for annexation and went into
it from the standpoint of an Amer
lean. He said he was born and raised
in America and had voted for various
State and County officers and for
President but have absolutely no
patience with any one in this COM
munity who opposes the free adoption
of the form of county government for
these islands. I have no patience"
continued Mr. Emmeluth, with the
proposition of whether these boards
should be elected or appointed. They
should and must be elected. Congress
would not dare to do anything about
the matter. If I We're a member OF
this commission I would not discuss
such matter.
IF this commission will draw up a
County Act and submit it to a test vote
Of the people at the coming election it
would decide for all tin1,- whether Co :
grass would endorse = OF not. / be-
lieve with Mr.. Dole that the trainers
of the Organic Act never contemplated
giving the Governor the appointing
power for these local Offices"
Mr. Stewart: "Assum-''
Mr.. Emmeluth: Il am not assuming
anything. Congress did not intend to
saddle US with any such PROPOSE
ton
preme Court gave the Governor the
power to appoint. would you advise us
to frame the act for the board to be
elected by the people?"
Mr. EmmeIuth: THE Supreme Court
never would if you would submit it to
the people. Three-fourths of the peo-
pie would vote in favor OF the election
of the boards I consider it far better
to remain under the present system of
government than to get under such
system of appointed government as is
proposed. We have been under the Or
gan1c Act since 1900 and I think we
have had ample time, if desired, to
learn the voice of Congress through
official sources as to the construction it
places on this matter
Mr.. Stewart: The Delegate says that
when he introduced the act to have
Congress ratify our last act he received
cold comfort from Congressman on the
ground that we have an Organic Act