The Pacific commercial advertiser., 1908-12-25
AMENDMENTS TO THE
ORGANIC ACT WERE
ALL DISCUSSED HERE
Governor Carrying Out Expressed Wishes of
HaWaii--- --Mott-Smith Defends the
Administration.

''I am unable to account for the rea-
son of the opposition expressed against
the work that the Governor is doing
for Hawaii in Washington, said Act
ing Governor Mott-Smith, yesterday.
Moreover it does not appear quite
clear whether the opposition is directed
against the particular amendments
which are proposed to the land laws of
the Territory or, on general principles,
against amendments of any nature to
the Organic Act. In either case, where
are we at9 1t seems to me that if we
are continually uncertain in Hawaii as
to what we do want we viii not stand
an very good light in Washington.
fFThe Governor announced very dis
finetly what he proposed doing. He an
nouneed his policy in public speeches
and was applauded; he announced what
he considered to be the views of the
people of the Territory in regard to
needed changes in the land laws and
every English paper in the Territory
kokuaed him; the platforms of each one
of the three political parties in the last
election called for a change in the Or
ganic Act in relation to the land laws,
speeches were made on the subject on
a hundred platforms, editorials were
printed by the score and there was prac-
tieally a unanimous sentiment for re-
vision and simphfeation of the land
laws, the only differing being about
the manner in which the changes should
be made. There was no question raised
then by anybody concerning the in
violability of the Organic Act. Neither
has there been any question of it in
a dozen matters that have been agitated
from time to time in Hawaii.
"The Governor appointed Land Ad-
visory Board and this board travelled
over the Islands. None of the evidence
concerning the working of the present
land laws pointed to a successful work
ing of the law in its present shape;
none of the ones who appeared before
the public hearings of the board advised
letting the law alone. The Governor
went over the Islands with Secretary
Garfield and the Secretary met and talk
ed with the people; the Governor dis
cussed on the ground the questions of
lands, settlements and AmeTicanization
of the Islands with Commissioner New
ell, an expert in the matter; here and
at Washington he has discussed the
amendments proposed with Delegate
L. 3 h. s,fl
Hawaii. and with Mr.. Hatch and Mr.. !
the commercial bodies of the Terri |
tory. Before leaving Honolulu he an
nouneed the main features of the pro- |
posed amendments. Has he or anyone !
else any reason to know that he is
not doing just what the people of this |
Territory have expressed themselves so |
frequently as in favor off
"What are the amendments to the |
land laws? One clause Incorporates all /
the forfeiture clauses of the old law,
simplifying the matter and making it /,
so that any man can read the law and !
know whether or not he is fulfilling
the conditions As the law read before
there were repetitions. seeming contra
dictions. and plenty of chances for dis.
putes between the Commissioner and
the settler. Now, that trouble will be
eliminated. Another amendment pro-
posed gives the Portuguese on Punch
bowl and others who have similarly oc-
cupied and improved leased lands a
preference right to their homes when
the lots are put on the market. Has
not that been advocated by everyone?
amendment makes the Govern.
or the arbitrator in disputes that may
arise between the settler and the Com
missioner instead of the courts. That
does away with litigation and is in /