The Hawaiian gazette., 1906-12-26

abSbIbtu TIC DuDllC lillllu 81 COIlDltNt
ly that now, in looking back to tina
time, Hawaii is associated with Port,
Rico and the Philippines as posses
sion or dependency of our great Re
public. And those who represent Ha-
wall find the greatest difficulty in per-
suading the people Of the United States
that Hawaii is an integral part of the
Union. 1t is through ignorance or err
ror that the Federal Departments is
sue official maps of the United States
from which Hawaii is omitted.
This misconception of Hawaii's rela-
ton to the United States of America
is not conflrfed to the common people
II is found among those who should
know better. For example: Following
annexation, our people patiently con-
tinued locally to bear the. burden of
protecting the commerce of the world
from the dangers of our sea coast, be-
lieving that 1t would only be short
time before the Federal authorities
would assume this duty. knowing full
well that M other American commu-
nifty paid by direct taxation for this
service
THE LIGHTHOUSE INCIDENT.
Appeals to the Lighthouse Board
We're answered with the intimation
that Hawaifs representative in Con-
gress must secure a special appropria-
ton for Hawaiian lighthouses. as the
board was not authorized to expend
any portion of its appropriation in Ha-
wau. Congress, occupied with Its great
problems, either did not hear Hawaii's
appeal or concluded that 1t was I'M
necessary. 1t was difficult in Hawaii
to ascertain the cause of failure, but
finally through the more enlightened
and better work of our present dele
gate, it was ascertained that Congress
1t was unnecessary to max
a special appropriation; that the ap-
already under the Light
house Board were ample and could be
as readily expended In Hawaii as In
Maine or Florida. Thus at the end of
three years no relief had been found.
However, the Hawaiian Legislature In
session at that time had concluded,
with temerity. that perhaps the matter
would reach an adjustment If they fail
ed to make appropriations beyond that
current year, and this course they
adopted. The matter drifted on until
the fall of 1903, when the attention Of
President Roosevelt was called to the
subject by a request as to how Hawaii
could best escape condemnation Of an
public opinion that was bound
to arise on the first loss of life and
property (perhaps American) that
would occur on the Hawaiian coast
lfter the lights were allowed to go out.
As usual, this inquiry was sufficient
4 cablegram, sent by the Lighthouse
Board, reached Honolulu on the 29th
lay of December. 1903, asking II tenn
'orary arrangements could be made
rom and after January LIST, 1904,
the lights, such as they were,
ould be continued at Federal expense,
md this without any specific mention |
# Hawaii in their appropriations.
REPUBLICAN REBUFF.
But 1t is not only public officials who
eem to consider Hawaii a possessic
eparate, apart and distinct from the
Union. The Republican party, through !
is properly authorized representatives
nd prior to its last National Conven-
ion. instructed the Republicans in Ha-
vail to hold local convention and
elect six regular and six alternate
elegates to represent the Territory at
he National Convention, to be held at
hicago. Volunteers were found who
'ere willing, at their own expense, to
lake the 5000 mile trip and show their
'yalty to this political party. These
elegates attended the convention on
7 to find that through the ignorance
the Rules Committee, over the OBJ
'ction of Hawaii's member, n report
as to be presented classifying Ha-
all as possession allowing but two
elegates to sit and vOte-while by
as granted six delegates Remon-
rance with>the chairman of the Com
ittee on Rules was without effect He
sisted that Hawaii, Porto Rico and
lie Philippines were possessions and
lat they should consider themselves
to be allowed representation
all; that two delegates were ample
the efforts of the
,legates to ascertain the standard by ,
hich such questions were to be de- ,
ded. they could get no satisfactory
formation Was 1t population? II |
, Hawaii had greater population
an the State of Nevada. Was 1t by ,
e form of government actually in ex- q
ence? Then Hawaii had a Legisla- ]
re and made It's own laws-a re- b
onsibllity as yet denied Alaska. The 3
called Indian Territory was to be
owed six delegates--a Territory In a
me only, for It was directly under h
e control of the Secretary of the In n
'lor. v
Despite all efforts, the great Repub- II
an party compromised the matter
voting that in that instance those
Iegates who had appeared from Ha-
IL should be seated, but hereafter It "
uld allow Hawaii only two delegates. "
{ the objection had been that the -
,stern Territories have too great 4,
10 In comparison with the larger sub -,
lsions of our Union. Hawaii could ~
We offered no opposition; all she ask II,
was to be granted the same treat a,
Mt accorded other Territories. But N
the Republican party, under whose Ia
lner annexation was consummated, an
assembled, classified Ha- Ia
II as a possession with Porto Rico 10
the Philippines. Thus there is vi
1ty OF work to be done on the main pr