The Hawaiian gazette., 1909-11-05
SENDS
STIRRING MESSAGE
Appeals to Legislature to Sink Petty Differ
enceS and Work for the
Territory'S Veal.

The message of the Governor the legislature in special sessio
ented the converting of the and house yesterday
lief document but which forth concise and emphatic word
duty of the members The Governor pointed the fact that
is instance Hawaii expects every do his duty forget
erences existing among the various territorial factions and
the of the amendments the land laws that the
the voice of Hawaii in petition to congress.
The message, in full, follows:
To LEGISLATURE:
men Organic Act Territory. That Act is Ter
ora and therefore the Legislature on this occasion
parakes OF the nature of a constitutional convention
1t is true that the Legislature is without express authority to
act in matter of this kind And yet may with entire propey
attempt to express an advisory way as the elected
ves of the people, whose interests be profoundly affected
the ae desires views the authoritative body the Con
gress the United States There higher responsible
political function than that of shaping fundamental law
Although public opinion has already large become
cryzed the substance of tn proposed amendments they
nevertheless deemed of sufficient Importance in scope and
sion in order that the elected representatives of the people,
may express definite opinion upon them their latest form
before their submission to Congress by the delegate.
The subject of extreme Importance the future welfare
of the Territory many The occasion calls with peculiar
force settlement local differences of opinion home
the presentation OF united front to Congress- and at the
time it offers opportunity to demonstrate to Congress- by
wisdom and harmony of action the capacity Of the people of this
Territory for sefgovement and the attainment of American
ideals Every indeed epatcay demands that PERSONAL
local and acona considerations be laid aside and that the sub
of the Territory
be expected But practical sense requires that Individual views
should yield within reasonable limits what regarded generally
best for the common good and that every effort should be made
agree possible leaving the for future
sideaon minority may be right but time and further
developments be required to convince the majority Wisdom
patriotism and the spirit of progress forbid that opposition what
is good far goes should be persisted in merely because
does not seem to go far enough.
Moreover this kind, which involves the funda
mental law is usually neither practicable nor wise to partcu
the subject requires Particularly is safer incorporate only
general principles and provisions instrument of brief and
possible foee all contingencies that arise and nstru
that cannot readily be altered from time time should be
merely what na desired also what may secured The
viewpoint and methods of Congress must be considered
in the bill introduced by delegate the last Congress- has
developed into its form through changes made from time
time result of much consideration and discussion by
Congressional committees the Territorial Legislature and its
mitees the public commercial and other organizations and
individuals 1t has been framed with simplicity clear
and the elimination of matters most liable difference of
$ 3 1t believed that a far as goes in aGcQd
delegate in form and substance and heartily indorse it.
provisions general complete and clear in themselves that
detailed explanation 1t enarge the OF
bers of the Legislature and number of executive judicial
officers settles serious doubts to the applicability of various
appropriations the validity of naurazaons
made by the circuit and other important
proves in several respects the law relating to dsquacaons of
judges provides for the acquisition from the Federal govern
ment OF the title property used required by the Territory and
facilitate sale public bonds higher prices
of makes applicable Hawaii general Federal appro
praons especially those for the benefit of the smaller agcu
tural industries
As its principal feature, however the bill makes many long
desired and muchneeded changes in the land laws of Hawaii
smpes the administration of those laws and settles number
of important questions their meaning; provides for giving
to persons OF whom there especially Hawaans and
Portuguese residing public lands preference rights obtain
title to their homes also provides for settling the title of many
churches the lots which they have long used church Sites
and places appropriate limitations the power of selling eas
ing and exchanging large tracts OF public land.
The principal changes however in the land laws consist in the
intended the turtherance OF homeseadng
by enabling intending settlers to obtain homeseads reasonable
prices by drawings instead of 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
proper secondly by combining the right acquire home
steads citizens NOT already sufficiently provided for and thirdly
by preventing aliens corporations and large land holders from
afterwards obtaining control OF the homeseaded lands but
the time not unduy preventing the homeseade from
gagng otherwise transferring the land for proper purposes
Legislatures in Hawaii have generally risen the occasion