The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1909-12-21
A. G. M. Robertson States That
Kuhio Is Still Wanted at
Washington.
CRITICISM NOT INoPPoRTUNE
Calls the Present Row Tempest
in a Teapot" and of No
Importance.

Editor AdVertlser:-When the last
congressional party was here the hope
was expressed, not only by the visitors
but by our business men and by Re-
publicans generally, that Kuhio would
again be the Republican nominee for
delegate to congress. When Kuhio fin
ally declared that he would be a candi-
date for the nomination next year the
announcement was hailed with much
satisfaction, and it was accepted as
foregOne conclusion that he would be
reelected. At that time The Adver-
tiser reported that "The announcement
has been received with a great amount
of pleasure by Republicans, by the in
dependents among the business men
and by the citizens generally. /" The
Advertiser in previous issue had said,
cit is to be hoped that Kuhio will see
his way clear to make the announce.
ment desired by his friends. The reiter-
ated advice of the visiting congressman
that Kuhio should be returned to Wash
ington to carry out the work he has so
successfully commenced has confirmed
the reports that have otherwise come
back from the Capital concerning the
Delegate and his work. This Territory
at this formative period needs Kuhio
at Washington"
Now you say that Kuhio has "cut
the ties of party allegiance" and has
disassociated himself from the par
tS," tS. also that "h' should be d''''pi'n'
The charge against Kuhio seems to
be that he has in a reprehensible man
ner and at an inopportune time criti-
cized the land policy of the Republican
| administration.
That the administration of the pub
lie lands of this Territory has long
| been open to criticism could be easily
proven by reference to the files of The
! Advertiser. and / venture to say that
Governor Frear, if he were here, would
readily concede it. / have not heard
anyone deny it. So far as any such
criticism is concerned Kuhio has voiced
nothing new, and his position in that
respect, as well as the Governor IS, was
well known to all those who took part
in the conferences on the land bill over
which the Governor presided. For Ku
hio to forcibly remind the party that
something ought, if possible, be done
by way of remedying the situation be
fore the next election, and to bring
the matter to public attention before
his departure for Washington, can no
justly be said to be inopportune. 1t il
nonsense to contend that Republican
leader can not criticize a Republican
administration without "disassociat
ing" himself from the party. Has any
body seriously claimed that the vener
able Senator Hoar was any less Re
publican because of his scathing de
nunciation of President Mckinley
Philippine policyl To dissent from par
ticular policies of the administration
of ones own party is a common oc
currence on the mainland.
There is no doubt that Kuhio nigh
! have been. more diplomatic in his ut
terances. But, in mitigation, it is tt
be remembered that he served as dele
gate to congress during the strenuou
administration of President Roosevelt
; during the latter portion of which tn,
Ananias Club secured so many recruits
If it is not beneath the dignity of
President of the United States to cal
; a man liar, it surely is not on tn
: part of a delegate to congress. How
, ever, l understand that phase of tn
through Kuhio's retraction.
: Now is it not the part of wisdom
to overlook any mistake that has bee
made, and instead of attempting tn
futile experiment of reading anybod
e out of the party to see what can b
done towards strengthening and cor
solidating the party before the mex
campaign begins2 This ought to in
: clude some Improvement in the matte
of the administration of the publ
lands whether the bill before congres
s passes or not.
I, You admit the necessity of sendin
: Republican delegate to congress. The
: why adopt course that tends to veal
e EN- the chances of the candidate wh
stands the best chance of being elec
Il edi Why exchange a practical certain
6 ty for an uncertainty 1t is not lik,
u ly that Kuhio' IS usefulness at Washin!
u ton will be impaired by reason of an
It little tempest that has occurred in ii
local teapot. They do not make moul
tains of mole hills over there.
IS 1t is none The less true now tina
e when The Advertiser said it, that X
g hio is needed at Washington.
A. q. NJ. ROBERTSON.
Honolulu, December II, 1909.