Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1908-04-09
THE CONVENTION PLATFORM.

Republicans of Hawaii have not
had time to discuss issues of the
coming local campaign, and it is not
surprising that with the convention
to elect delegates to the National
convention three days distant the
party should be wool-gathering on
what sort of platform the coming
convention should adopt.
1t is true that the convention Of
Monday is not the convention at
which there need necessarily be any
declaration on local issues.
This convention should, however,
give expression to its views on the
issues that are before the American
people
At this convention the Republicans
of the Territory will have their only
opportunity to take a hand in Ma
tional affairs. This, then, is the
proper time to say what they have
to offer.
Hawaii should declare its position
on the tariff. -------- .'-
Hawaii should stand flat-footed
against any tariff revision that will
jeopardize industries fostered blythe
protective tariff and to which greats
er freedom of trade win mean ruin.
1t makes no difference whether
Taft or Fairbanks or Knox or Can
non has gone before the people on
State platforms that hedge on the
tariff question, the Republicans of
the Territory of Hawaii should make
a clear-cut, direct and incisive dec
laratlOn that they are for n protect
i've tariff--a high protective tariff
first. last and always, and that their
votes in the National convention
should go with the combination rep
resenting the protective principle
that has not only built up the indus
tries of Hawaii, but is the very COR
ner-stone of the great wealth of the
whole country.
Republicans should decbfe= for
the continuation of the tariff on
sugar and higher tariff for canned
fruits, and protective tariff for the
coffee industry.
This Territory stands as an exam
pie of the value of the protective
tariff in agricultural industry.
Standpattism and more protection
should stick out of every plank of
the platform passed by the Republi-
can convention.
Republicans should also pledge
themselves in good ringing para
graph approving the action of Con-
gress in forwarding the development
OF Pearl Harbor and the construction
of ordinary coast defenses for the
promotion of peace.
The assignment, permanent as
signment, of the Battleship Fleet to
the waters of the Pacific should be
urged.
Republicans of Hawaii have now
their principal opportunity for plac. |
ing themselves on record in connec-
tion with the great transportation |
f'S''NihS hh"t hiS ny HO iltdlo lOCdl' !
Our coming convention might we'll !
put itself on record for the ship sub !
sidy bill, and should that fail, for |
the suspension of the coastwise ship !
ping laws.
There Is no better time for the !
people OF the Islands to remind their /
fellow-citlzens of the mainland that |
they are doing these Islands a rank
injustice, when they refuse to foster
the American merchant marine and !
at the same time fine citizens or res
idents who travel TO American ports
In foreign ships, $500. each.
There are few places on earth !
where the American flag waves
are more deeply involved in the
great National questions of the day |
than Hawaii
The utterances of the Republican
convention, called to name delegates
who will assist in naming the next /
President of the United States, |
should be in keeping with the dig
nifty of the occasion.
The platform should show that
Hawaii realizes its National import
ance and the growing power of
America in the Pacific.