The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1909-11-02
THE MESSAGE
CONTINUED From Page One.)


sonable limits to what is regarded gem
orally as best for the common good
and that every effort should be made
to agree on as much as possible, leav-
ing the rest for future consideration.
A minority may be right, but time and
further development may be required
to convince the majority. Wisdom,
patriotism and the spirit of progress
forbid that opposition to what is good
as far as it goes should be persisted in
merely because it does not seem to go
| far enough.
Moreover, in a matter of this kind,
which involves the fundamental law. it
is usually neither practicable nor wrse
to particularize TO any great extent.
! AS a rule, except where the nature of
the subject requires particularly, it
is safer to incorporate only general
principles and provisions in an instru-
ment of so brief and permanent a char
Iacter as a constitution or organic act.
1t is impossible to foresee all contin-
gencies that may arise, and an instru-
ment that cannot readily be altered
from time to time should be broad and
adaptable in its scope. The question,
moreover, is not merely what may be
desired; it is also what may be secur-
ed. The viewpoint and methods of
Congress must be considered. / trans
init herewith a form of a bill which,
having it's origin in the bill introduced
by our delegate in the last Congress,
has developed into it's present form
through changes made from time to
time since as a result of much con-
sideration and discussion by Congress
sional committees, the Territorial Le-
| gislature and it's committees, the pub
lie press, commercial and other organ
lzations and individuals. 1t has been
framed with view to simplicity, clear
ness and the elimination of matters
most liable to difference of opinion. 1t
is believed that as far as it goes it is
in general accord with the principles Of
all political parties. 1t is satisfac-
tory to the delegate in form and sub
stance, and 1 heartily indorse it.
The general nature of the bill is so
well understood and it's provisions in
general are so complete and clear in
themselves that detailed explanation
lis unnecessary. 1t enlarges the pow
ers\ of the Legislature; it provides for
increases in the salaries of members
of the legislature and a number of exc
cutive and judicial officers; it settles
serious doubts as to the applicability
of various Federal laws to Hawaii, the
powers Of the legislature with refer
Ience to appropriations and the validity
lot numerous naturalizations made by
the circuit courts, and other important
matters; it improves in several res
poets the law relating to disqualified
lions of judges; it provides for the &C
QUESTION from the Federal government
OF the title to property used or re-
quired by the Territory and the coun-
ties for public purposes; it contains
provisions which will facilitate the
sale of public bonds at higher prices
and lower rates of interest; it makes
applicable to Hawaii general Federal
appropriations, especially those for
the benefit of the smaller agricultural
industries.
AS its principal feature, however,
the bill makes many long-desired and
much-needed changes in the land laws
Iof Hawaii. 1t simplifes the admins
rtration of these laws and settles a num-
Der of important questions as to their
meaning; it provides for giving to per-
sons, of whom there are many, espe-
Icially Hawaiians and Portuguese. re-
siding on public lands, preference
rights to obtain title to their homes;
at also provides for settling the title
OF many churches to the lots which
they have long used as church sites:
and 1t places appropriate limitations
on the powers of selling, leasing and
exchanging large tracts of public land.
The principal changes, however, in
the land laws consist in the provisions
intended for the furtherance of home
Isteading; first, by enabling intending
settlers to obtain homesteads at rea-
l1SN'"AS PAASSo ny hldWluSo luSI6du Oh
being subjected to the risk of paying
excessive prices at auction sales, and
by permitting the times limited for
compliance with homestead conditions
to be extended in proper cases; second
ly, by combining the right to acquire
hoesteads to citizens not already sufh-
GENTLY provided for; and, thirdly, by
preventing aliens, corporations and
large Land holders from afterwards OBJ
tanning control of the homesteade1
lands, but at the same time not I'M
duly preventing the homesteader from
Imortgaging or otherwise transferring
the land for proper purposes.
Legislatures in Hawaii have gen.
orally risen to the occasion. They
have as a rule proved that they can be
depended upon, when the exigencies of