The Hawaiian gazette., 1907-01-01
Is. f. ChronIcle.)


Among the great variety OF cities
that are scattered far over the Amer
lean possessions. Honolulu has the Cd
dest form OF government, and 1t is
probable that 1t is the most peculiarly
governed city in all the world. AL
though 1t has a population of nearly
$4,000 and is one of the most important
seaports on the Pacific Ocean, It has
no Mayor or collection of other officials
distinctly It's own, and 1t has no city
corporation. Its affairs are directed
by county and territorial officials only,
and II is only distinguished legally from
the remainder of Oahu County, which
embraces the entire island of the same
name, by being a separate judicial dis
trict and having Its own Deputy Sher-
if and District Magistrate, who serves
as Police Judge.
Honolulu is distinguished in other
ways from all other cities of the world.
One of these is its having served sue
cessively as the seat of government Of
a monarchy, republic and an Amer
lean Territory. Its present odd form
of government is due to Its novel his
tory, but it is quite certain that 1t will
have both laws and officials of its own
and in this way be like other cities of
modern times.
Geographically considered Honolulu
is the most westerly situated city on
the globe. Far beyond It, on the ocean,
the old day dies and a new day is born
to make a trip OF twenty-four hours
around the world before ending its ex-
istence also. Figuratively speaking,
the city might be considered the COM
mercial gateway between the Occident
and the Orient.
Associated with thoughts of Homo
lulu invariably come those of a land
of eternal summer, of endless sunny
seas, of a beautiful island clothed in
tropic verdure, of n harbor crowded
with tall-masted ships and smoking
steamers, and of an inviting, peaceful
city with shaded streets and beautiful
homes surrounded by numerous trees
on well-kept lawns. Every visitor goes
away to tell of the attractiveness of
the city and the island, but there are
indeed few who know anything about
the peculiarities of the city govern
ment.
There is nothing in the appearance
of Honolulu to indicate that 1t differs
in form of government from other
cities, and this is probably why the
average visitor does not come in con-
tact with it's popularity. Every mod
ern convenience Is noticeable. The
streets are paved in the most modern
way. The people own their own water
system and a part of their own light
ing system. There Is modern street
car system in the city and its suburbs;
but, owing to the lack of an instructive
city government, the public improve
ments in Honolulu are paid for by the
property owners in all parts of the
island as well as by those of the city
proper
There Is an efficient police depart
ment in Honolulu and there are or
dinances to govern the people; but the
police are directed by the Sheriff and
have jurisdiction over all parts of the
island, while the ordinances are made
by the Board of Supervisors and are
effective in all parts of the county.
There is no Chief of Police and there
are no City Councilmen or Aldermen.
In the present police system there is
one Objectionable feature, and that will
probably be remedied at the next ses-
sion of the Legislature. The Deputy
Sheriff is elected by the people and his
duties conflict with those of the Sheriff,
who has no way of enforcing obedience
from the man under him. This has ne
cessitated the appointment by the
Sheriff, Arthur M. Brown, of an assist