The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1905-12-05

them candidly, and We believe they do
show what We contend they do.
Governor Carter sincerely contends
that he is acting for the best material
interests of the Territory; that he is
looping OFF expenditures which are
not OF prime necessity; that bv re-
ducing the amount OF Indebtedness in
CURED, he is conserving the resources
of the Territory; that he is saving the
people from themselves; that he is car
rying out conservative, prudent. and
business-Iike policy.
CHANGE OF BASE.
Perhaps he is; but still that is a
matter of opinion and judgment. It
is practically the opinion and iudg-
ment OF the Governor alone now,
against the opinion and judgment of
the Governor and the Legislature a
few months ago: and it is the opinion
and Judgment of the Legislature when
crystallized into Legislation according
to the processes ordained by Congress
that must prevail. 1t is true that the
Governor lays much stress on his state
ment at the time he approved the bill
that he did not have time to thorough
ly examine it and would use his dis
erection afterwards. But this is idle.
Congress has laid down the limitations
of his approval or disapproval of leg
islation. He can not exercise it in any
other way than is by Congress pro-
vided. While the unenacted bill was
yet before him he could have rejected
any items he chose, for then the Leg
islature would have had the oppor-
tunity to finally pass on his judgment.
But to claim the right to reject items
now, is to claim the right of absolute
veto, which Congress has not given.
To the Legislature in conjunction
with the Governor in constituted way
and manner was given legislative
power. The Governor now seeks over
and beyond that to exercise a revis-
ing power.
NULLIFIES LEGISLATIVE POWER
What will be the logic of this posi-
ton if Your Excellency approve the pro-
posed bond issue? 1t will be to take
absolutely out of the hands of the peo-
pie through their elected representa-
t1Ves, the control of their fiscal policy,
the management of their financial af-
fairs, and their power of directing i'm
provements. If the Governor can re-
ject one item. he can reject all, and
the people through the Legislature
would be powerless to borrow money
for the most urgent and important
purposes, unless the Governor approx
ed. The power given to the Legisla-
ture by the Act of Congress providing
a government for the Territory would
become a nullity. An absolute veto
would be put in the hands of the Gov
ernor, while Congress gave him only
a qualified one.
1t is to preserve the rights of the
people as guaranteed to them by Con-
gress that we ask you to disapprove
the proposed bond issue of $3.50, 900.
We recognize, that if this bond issue
is disapproved, many important and
even urgent public improvements will
be delayed But we submit that to
approve the bond issue will be to de-
lay and perhaps prevent altogether
equally urgent and important public
improvements.
But the issues involved are more
important than any of mere expedien-
cy. The vital principle of the right of
the people to control their own affairs
through their Legislature and in the
way authorized by Congress, is at
stake.
WHO I'VE" ARE.
This is signed only by Senators and
Representatives from the Island of Ca
hu, and such from the other islands as
happen to be on Oahu at this time.
But we know that some of the Sena-
tors and Representatives representing
other islands hold the opinions herein
expressed, and we believe would sign
this communication if opportunity
could be given. But we believe that
the reasons adduced are sufficient to
lead you to act.
We are. most respectfully,
L. L. McCANDLESS,
Senator 3rd District.
A. S. KALEIOPU,
Representative 5th District.
JOHN C. LANE,
Senator 3rd District.