The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1907-11-22
A REAL GOVERNOR
MAKES A CALL HERE


these are exempt perhaps because of
the absence of danger to pedestrians
on account of excessive speed. These
regulations do not attempt to fix any
speed limit on the public thorough
fares of Agana, the islands capital.
When it comes to the sale of tobac-
co and its products, the Guam inter
nal revenue law requires the payment
of a IS annual tax in United States
currency and the sale of tobacco in
any shape to persons under Is years
of age is prohibited. The fine in this
case is not exceeding $50, also payable
in United States currency.
The agricultural department of GU
am appears to be having its troubles
just the same as Secretary Wilson,
and deliberately illustrated pamphlets
on the ravages of the scale or some
other pest may be expected ere long.
Owing to the presence in the island
of an insect scale which eventually
Kills the cocoanut palm, and to pre-
vent the further introduction of ami
nal or plant diseases, all plants,
fruits, vegetables, etc, before being
imported into the island are required
to be inspected by the superintendent
of agriculture. Thus, by a stroke of
his pen. Commander Potts does what
Secretary Wilson can do only after
tussle with congress and the granting
of an authority that he often finds is
totally inadequate to meet the situa-
ton. The agricultural department
probably will send one of its experts
to Guam to see how these new Tegu-
lations work Some valuable pointers
might be discovered for the edification
of congress.
In a proclamation concerning the
bringing of charges against any pub
lie official of the naval government,
there is a suggestion that some of the
inhabitants of Guam have expressed
dissatisfaction with the existing order
of things. Commander Potts stipulates
that all charges shall be brought in
writing and shall be examined in the
presence of the accused by the legal
representative of the island govern
ment This official is to report wheth-
er further proceedings should be insti-
tuted in the courts of the island or
whether summary punishment should
be imposed by the governor or the
case dismissed. The governors grip
on the island is shown in one para
graph, which provides that no case
against any official for mafeasance in
office shall be instituted in the courts
other than by the island attorney in
obedience to an order from the gov
ernor.
If there is any check upon the au-
thority of the naval governor of Gu
am, these orders do not show il, but
the conditions on the island are such,
probably, that a strong hand should
be held over the natives and the law S
delays and circumlOcutiOn avoided.
Commander Potts domain is not an
extensive one. The island in its eX-
IRENE length is but twenty-nine miles
long and from seven to nine miles
wide, narrowing in the middle to a
neck only four miles in width On
the northwest coast of this neck is
Agana. the capital, with a population,
according to the last census, of 5000
people. The census of 1901 shows the
entire population of the island to be
1916 There are about 1876 white per
sons on the island, or on the Supply
in the naval service. OF civilians, the
latest reports show there are fourteen
persons, citizens of the United States
eight of whom were females. The 9th
err persons on the island not natives
were divided as follows: Spaniards
six males, eight females; Italians two
females Japanese, twelve males, one
female Chinese, three males, making
a total foreign population of twenty
one males and eleven females.
This is the realm Of Commander
Potts the American pooh-bah on the
island of Guam.