The Hawaiian gazette., 1906-03-13
A POINTED
ARGUMENT

Below b. the statement ~ " \. Me-
inrrny. of the hawaiian delegation.
before the senate Committee on Pa.
cidc Islands aud Porto Rico. upon the
subject. Hawaiian Fund for Public
Works, as the pamphlet recording tho
delegation hearing n hcauod. Mr..
Mclncruy was the last speaker ana, as
will be seen from the succeeding dia-
ioguo. his time was limited. His state
mcnt IL therefore an emphatirally
pointed one, therefore good for leav-
ing favorable impression ON the minds
NJ the committee:
STATEMENT OF Z. A. M'INERNY.
Mr., MeIuerny.- Chairman and
gentiemen, ! would like to impress
upon you the fact that the revenues Of
our Territory are insufficient for the
proper administration of same; that in
order 10 meet the regular expenses Of
administration our people are now taxed
beyond the limit of endurance.
This is evidenced by the. yearly iu-
crease in the delinquent list, partieu-
larry of people heretofore considered
fairly well.to-do and holding properties
considered desirable, but mt present
nonproductivc. During the year past
the spectacle has been witnessed of the
treasurer S department of the Terri
tory entering suits at law for these
taxes at wholesale. Judgments have
been rendered; but | am not aware
that any property has been confscaJcd,
the government probably considering
il unwise to do SO.
For the constructing of necessary
public works, the Territory has already
borrowed $2,000,000, and further loan
of $I50,000 has been placed, but the
bonds have not been taken over yrt.
| The Territory now owes SASKATOON
of bonded debt, and it is considered
unwise to borrow further at the present
time. Very important public works
are contemplated, more particularly
the construction of schoolhouses, but
owing to the financial status they must
be abandoned.
] want to particularly call your at
| tention to the fact that the Federal
revenues, amounting TO over $l,0O0,O00
annually, are taken bodily out of the
! Territory and that we have nothing
with which to replace them. This ere
ates shortage of cash. and as Sc
queuce enhances the rates of interest.
On gilt-edge security in large sums
money can be had for per cent, but
the average citizen of moderate means
is compelled to pay, as the records
show, 9, 10 and even II per cent. par
annum.
| Any measure, therefore, which would
tend to relieve this situation l submit,
! Mr.. Chairman, should receive most
earnest consideration at your hands.
| Spend it for Territorial or Federal pur-
poses, or both, if you please, but keep
il in the Territory.
The United States did not take over
this Territory as n revenue-producing
proposition. They do not need this an.
| nual contribution. They do not want
| it. What better use, therefore, could
be made of this money than to use It
for the development Of the Territory
whero it was raisedi
This Territory is unique in its posi-
ton. We are noncontiguous, and Of
necessity must do our business among
ourselves, deprived, as you see, of the
advantages which accrue to other Ter.
ritories by reason of their situation to
neighboring States and the advantages
of interstate commerce.
The Chairman.-We would be very
glad to hear you Mt greater length il
any gentleman desires to be further
heard, but the time for the Senate to
convene has arrived and it is necessary,
unless there is some one present wno
insists upon being heard further, that
the committee should adjourn.
Mr.. w. o. Smith.-In behalf of the
delegation ] wish to extend our thanks
for the hearing given and the courtesy
shown us.
The Chairman.-We are much obliged
TO you gentlemen. We wanted to know
what the facts are. You have come a
long distance TO be heard. and we are
glad to hear from YOU and the shape in
which you have given the facts.
The committee, at IL O'Clock merid-
ian, adjourned