The Hawaiian gazette., 1907-02-22

Ing faith with orr TERRITORIAL bond
holders and protecting our credit.
What would be thought OF a corpora
ton which on showing of assets
floated bonds, and then gradually
transferred its assets, without consid-
GRAFTON, TO a new and distinct COR
poration?
other public property belonging to
the Territory, such as wharves. land
ings and public buildings, need funds
for their proper care and preservation.
But besides this, now that the Federal
government has undertaken to build a
breakwater for Hilo. there Is certain
to be a marked increase In shipping
and trade at that point within the next
two years, and the Territory should be
prepared to offer increased facilities or
else surrender of the waterfront to
private enterprise. The government al
ready owns a wharf not now used and
you are asked to make provision for
its repair and remodeling.
This breakwater makes II certain
that Hilo is bound to be the main port
for the island of Hawaii. Capital for
needed railroad development on that
island has sometimes hesitated through
fear that Federal experts might select
boint ObntT DOlhl Improvement. lIt
determination of this question will,
believe. materially enhance the possi-
bility of Hamakua railroad. Through
out the Territory there is no great
undertaking which is of more import
ance than the construction of this rail-
road, and I submit for your consider
alton the passage of an Act, through
which the development. during the
next two years. of railroads that are
common carriers will be exempt from
taxes for a period OF ten years. Elk
perience shows that pioneer railroads
increase the taxable value Of real prop
erty to marked degree, and thus the
Territory will suffer no setback in its
income by the passage of such an
Act.
NUUANU DAM.
This undertaken has been the victim
of Misrepresentation and the object Of
much public censure. Though not a
great undertaking. yet it illustrates
splendidly the difference between pri-
vate and public control of such an en-
terprise and the difficulties inherent to
the latter.
When any republic undertakes a war
by land or sea, its machinery concen-
trates power and authority. Public
opinion under such circumstances will
often sustain an act which under other
conditions would be considered uncon-
stitutional. And public opinion does
not then tolerate unjust criticism; 1t be-
mands facts, and takes the attitude
that unless the derogatory statements
can be proved those who expressed
them should be branded as lacking in
loyalty, IL nothing worse. Communi-
ties have learned, at great cost in prop
erty as well as lives, that this is nee
essary.
CRITICISM.
But when a popular government IN
dertakes large public work, public
opinion not only tolerates all criticism,
just or unjust, but those who take the
lead in such matters are looked upon
somewhat as public benefactors, the
idea being that even If the accusations
are unjust, no harm can be done to
honest and efficient employees. Self
communities have yet to
and efficiency cannot be
bought for dollars only; such qualities
demand additional pay in the shape
VI pupiiC SupPOltB dpPloNai anu Si-
in overcoming all OBJ
stacles and difficulties. Attacks on the
good faith and honesty of public Of
fcials distract their attention, require
he double duty of close attention not
,nly to the progress of their work, but
also to it's defense, and, when unwar-
them more than their
salaries. Men of high capacity, who
lao hot. 20 ton, oh hnf NOS
resent this treatment, and thus 1t
ZONES about that private enterprises
,ften secure the best men, while the
invariably pays for the OBJ
and delay caused by the at
acks.
SPECIAL COMMITTEE.
All the questions involved in this
Juuanu dam deserve your closest scru-
my, and they are of such far-reaching
xtent, that I request a special COM
nittee be appointed, consisting of
from the outside districts, to
investigate this matter from disfn-
crested viewpoint fairly and without
avor. If opportunity can be found, I
esire to treat this subject in a separ-
tie Message.
A section of the message Is given to
in general and to parks.
Relative to the Motley judgment OF
l25O for land on Kukui street. and
hitch has never been paid, 1t Is rec
mmended that 1t be settled, even
hough the land has never been taken
ossession of by the Superintendent of
'ublic Works
Reference is made to loans for diff
erent purposes and he suggests that
ounties be allowed to bond under con-
itions prescribed in the Organic Act.
PUBLIC LANDS.
Under the faithful management of
hose intrusted with the administration
t the public lands of this Territory.
here have been opened during the two
ears ending December 81, 1906. 296
omesteads. covering an area of prac'
Ically 1867 acres. or an average OF 31.3
cres. The total revenue, other than
ales. from public lands during the
wo years ending December 81, 1906.
ave been s244,711.71. And the sales
uring the same period have amounted
o sl07. 6S7.26. This has been done at an
perating expense of s29, 743.4s. 1t is in
eresting to note that the operating
expenses for the two years previous
1ere 32.2sl.39. showing that, notwith-
the Increased work. the de-
artment has been operated with great