Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1909-01-26
ORGANIC ACT AMENDMENTS ARE
HEARD: NOW ACT,

hEAhU; NUW All,
The bill amending the Organic Act .
has been published Governor Frears
statement before Congress has been :
put before the people and the Gov
ernor has made his extended eXpla-
nation.
What do you intend to do?
The people were dissatisfied with
the method in which this very i'm
portant bill was handled They
wanted TO know.
They have been informed in a large
measure as to what the bill means.
They should now declare themselves
and give the bill the backing that
can be secured for such portions of 1t
as are generally approved.
The people were entirely justified
In calling halt until they could
learn more of what had been done
and what is in contemplation. They
are standing in their own light If
they come to a permanent standstill.
From the observation of public SEN
timent made by this paper, the only
sections to which there Is serious OBJ
lection at the present time are those
dealing with the public lands and the
sweeping provisions that except Ha-
vail from certain laws that may or
may not be enacted at this session Of
Congress.
The proposed amendments of the
land laws are in line with the recon-
mendations of the special advisory
land commission appointed by the
Governor. II the Legislature had not
taken action on the land question
there would seem to be no particular
reason why the amendments mapped
out by this commission should not
carry through without further refer
ence to the Legislature of Hawaii.
1t should be recalled. however,
and many appear to have forgotten
it-that the Legislature of 1907 pass
cd joint resolution providing for
Land Commission to serve without
pay, investigate the status of the
land laws, and report to the Govern-
or not later than July /, 1905, such
report to include all their reCommen-
dGtions together with such bill or
bills to be presented to the Legisla
ture, to carry into effect such reConl-
mendations as they may prepare"
This joint resolution passed both
% hn I
Carter treated it to pocket veto.
Thus 1t was not legally binding on
anyone. But 1t is obvious that the
representatives of the people of the
Territory of Hawaii We're settled in
the opinion that any bills dealing
with the administration of the public
lands should be presented first to the
local Legislature.
Governor Frear carried out part
OF the Legislatures program when he
appointed the Advisory Land Com
mission.
He ignored very important de-
tail when he jumped over the head Of
the local Legislature and went direct
to Congress This put him in the po-
sItion of getting his law passed and
while the Legislature whistled.
However, there may yet be time to
present the matter to the Legislature
and secure an expression in time for
Congress to act or postpone. as suits
the sentiment of Hawaii.
Meanwhile, let the people move
forward.
Though the section OF many eXcep-
tions and the land law section may
prove doubtful, the people should
agree on other portions of the bill
and say so.
Governor Frear is understood to
feel that he has not been given the
support he deserved This is to be re-
GREETED. but It is not the issue
The desire of the people is the pres
ent unknown quantity that has to be
demonstrated And the disagreement
of some of them with the Governor
on certain points is no good reason
why anyone of caliber should get an
attack of the sulks or seek reprisais
on citizens who have refused and will
continue opposed TO doing as they
are told when they believe the volun-
teer dictators are wrong.
The Chamber of Commerce having
heard what the Governor has to say
on the amendment of the Organic
Act, having had an opportunity to
read the bill and the discussion of y
here and in Washington, should meet
for further discussion, IL necessary,