The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1906-03-12
A POINTED
ARGUMENT
McInerny Speaks Last
Word Before Senate
Committee.

Below is the statement of E. 4. Me
| Inerny, of the Hawaiian delegation
| before the Senate Committee on Pa
cific Islands and Porto Rico. upon tn,
! subject. Hawaiian Fund for Public
! Works. as the pamphlet recording the
delegation s hearing is headed. Mr.
McInerny was the last speaker amt, a,
will he seen from the succeeding dia
| logue, his time was limited. His state
| ment is therefore an emphatically
| pointed one, therefore good for leav
ing favorable impression on the minds
| of the committee:
STATEMENT OF e. A. M'INERNY.
Mr. McInerny-Mr. Chairman and
gentlemen, / would like to imp es.
| upon you the fact that the revenues of
our Territory are insufficient for the
proper administration of same; that in
| order to meet the regular expenses of
beyond the limit of endurance.
This is evidenced by the yearly in
crease in the delinquent list, particu-
larly of people heretofore considered
fairly well-to-do and holding properties
considered desirable, but at present
nonproductive. During the year past
the spectacle has been witnessed of the
treasurer IS department of the Terri
tory entering suits at law for these
taxes at wholesale. Judgments have
been rendered; but I am not aware
that any property has been confscated,
the government probably considering
it unwise to do so.
For the constructing of necessary
public works, the Territory has already
borrowed $2,000,00O, and further loan
of $4,000 has been placed, but the
bonds have not been taken over yet.
The Territory now owes 1884 900
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.
1 want to particularly call your at
tention to the fact that the Federal
revenues, amounting to over 100000
annually, are taken bodily out of the
Territory and that we have nothing
with which to replace them. This ere
ates a shortage of cash, and as Sc
uuence enhances the rates of interest.
On gilt-edge security in large sums
money can be had for Z per cent, but
the average citizen of moderate means
is compelled to pay, as the records
show, 9. 10 and even II per cent. pef
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
it in the Territory.
The United States did not take over
this Territory as revenue-produclng
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 II
for the development of the Territory
where it was raised?
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 at greater length IT
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 wnc
| insists upon being heard further, that
| the committee should adjourn.
| Mr.. w. 0. Smith.-In behalf of the
| delegation I 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
long distance to be heard, and we ar
| glad to hear from you and the shape il
| which you have given the facts.
The committee, at y o'clock merid
| ian, adjourned.
|