The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1909-10-19
EXPLANATORY STATEMENT OF PRoPoSEDAMEND-
MENTS TO ORGANIC ACT.

MENTs TO ORGANIC ACT.
The Organic Act of the Territory passed nearly ten
years ago. In the light of its practical working during this
period and in view of changing conditions it has been
question less discussed for several years whether
general revision amendment of the Act in number of
particulars ought be order present
requirements
bill for this purpose finally introduced in Congress
nearly and has since been altered from time
time details the result of discussions in the committees
of Congress and various bodies in Hawaii.
The latest form proposed for the bill is that recommended
by resolution adopted by the House of Representatives
the last session of the legislature with alterations made
result of further discussion circumstances
occurred since.
These alterations mainly of FORM although
several of substance They have been made chiefly greater
subject to differences of opinion but also partly for
better carrying out the general purposes of the BILL
The present draft only tentative While from the very
nature of bill of this kind almost anyone would naturally
think OF changes that might be made every time he'reads
% be for the best of the Territory, a) the
views of large number of the people possible and
I'D be most likely to pass Congress All these things must
be considered in preparing a bill of this kind.
In its present form the bill contains sections All of
these except section which relates the land laws
approved by both branches the Legislature and the
changes in these almost wholly of form. The objects of
these sections as follows:
Section amends section of the Organic Act, which
tends to Hawaii the Constitution and the laws of the United
States with certain exceptions. This is amended in
respects () The provision what laws shall apply to
Hawaii enlarged include laws carrying general
and soil surveys Of which have been held by the
troler of the treasury to apply to Hawaii 2) The
that certain laws shall apply Hawaii is likewise
enlarged so as to the doubt which exists
whether certain laws relating to subjects covered by the
Organic Act apply to Hawaii.
Section section 70 by increasing the pay OF the
legislators from $500 5000 for regular session and
that IS Immediately after regular session in
consequence OF failure pass the necessary appropriations
IL ,se 9 m has aTesdv made in its
prations expenses for the last sessions of the egsa
This affect the salaries for special sessions,
which remain at $500
Section amends section 81 merely by emitting the word
"biennially" all doubt to the validity of
appropriations that Biennial and also incidentally by
emitting proviso which has served its purpose and is no
longer necessary.
Section amends section IS relating to bonded indebted
ness Cd giving latitude the times within which
bonds may be made edeemabe and payable 50 as to make 1T
possible sell bonds at higher prices and with lower rates
of interest and (2 by authorizing the legislature If it SO
DESIRES allow counties to issue bonds without necessarily
giving them the power of taxation ~;
Section repeats section 70 to permit the legislature
to discontinue office of high sheriff, il it desires
Section amends section 81 % by disquafyng person
to sit as Judge in case in which he Of COUNSEL
2 by authorizing the legislature add other OF dis
qualification 90 by emitting the provision disquallying
Judge to sit on new trial previously tried by him;
and Cd by providing that judge shall not sit on an appeal
from rendered by him. instead OF providing that
he appeal any in which he have
given decision upon any point
Section amends section O by authorizing the Pres-
dent the Territory property previously taken b.
him for Federal purposes () by authorizing him transfer
to the Territory the title property used required by the
Territory for public purposes; and Cd by permitting the
governor when authorized by the legislature transfer to
counties the title property required by them
Section amends section OF by increasing salaries as fo
lows: governor from $1,000 $1,000; the secretary
from $1,000 $1,000 the chief justice from $500 $4,000
associate justices from $1,000 to $1,000 circuit Judges from
$1,000 $4,000 the United States district attorney from S3oo
to 5000 United States marshal from $1,000 to $4,000
Section amends section by ratying so Tar as the
question OF jurisdiction concerned the natuazations made
bv circuit Judges before the naturalization act OF 1906 took
effect.
The remaining section is section 5, which amends section
y relating land This is the section OF greatesE
importance and the which has received most Afternoon
About oneouh of section it appears in the House
resolution has been omitted The remainder has been re-