Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1909-01-19
GOVERNOR FREAR AND THE
ORGANIC ACT CHANGES.


Governor Frcar's statement before
the Chamber Of Commerce of what lie
has done to the Organic Act was clear
cut and to the point in all matters
relating to his views on the changes
that may be desired.
We believe that the Governor must
agree that the status of the bill now
before Congress and the relation of
the Governor to the people of the
Territory of Hawaii would be much
more satisfactory II these views re-
garding the necessity for changes
and what changes are necessary had
been expressed before similar meet
ing previous to his departure for
Washington with this very important
measure in embryo.
As the u u ! q I II has held from
the outset. the source of the most
serious criticism Is the fact that the
Governor carried out his own pro-
gram for what he thought was best
for the people, and looked for his
approval and support afterward. lie
has put the supporters of the Ad-
ministration in the position of
having either to combat the Ad-
ministration and it's secretive
method of doing public business,
or swallow the mandate OF the Exec
utiye on the basis that the end justi-
fees the means. Independent Amer
leans will not long accept the latter.
IL should not be necessary for the
Secretary of the Territory to give out
assurance that full information will
show everything all right in such a
matter of public policy. The .busi-
ness is Public Business-not the pri-
vate AFFAIR of few men now in Of
flee. The people should know by
having full information at the out
set that everything is all right"
Then the Governor would report to a
meeting of citizens: Gentlemen, |
have carried out the program out
lined and approved by you TO the best
OF my ability, and | trust 1t meets
with your approval" He would get
spontaneous approval, in place of a
vote of thanks, which, II withheld,
would be a direct insult.
The method pursued by the Gov
ernor in handling this matter was
not one that commends itself to the
people of the Islands. This he ap-
parently recognizes, and 1t is to be
hoped that this is the last instance
of the kind in his Administration,
especially as n legislative session is
about to begin.
The Governor having made his
statement. the immediate question is:
whether the bill should be rushed
through at the present session of Con-
gress.
The b u | ! e I n suggests that the
people should have further time to
digest the measure and what 1t
means. And the land features espc-
cially should have time for consider
alton by the Territorial Legislature.
The man who says there is not time
for all this will likely be the one to
cry out in bitter criticism II he wakes
up some afternoon TO find that the
bill, after having become a law, pro-
duces results that even he or the
Governor or Justice Ballou or Gar
field or Mcclellan or the few others
did not think of in their haste.
We have the record OF two changes
already made from the original draft.
One in connection with the removal
of officers and the other bearing on
land exchanges. May It not be found
in going over the exceptions noted in
the first section of the bill, that pro-
visions may be found from which It
would be advisable that Hawaii
should not be excepted? Is there
good reason why the laws concern
ing the right of aliens to hold land
in Arizona and New Mexico should
not apply to the Territory of Hawaii?
II the public business OF the Terri
tory is to be carried on with the
best results for all concerned and to
the credit of the Administration 1t
must be done in manner that first
takes the people into account and Sc
cures their support.
This will be found to be vital truth
when the Legislature assemblies. The
crisis is not and has not been so Sc
rlous that the Governor or any exec
utive department need deyiate from
the admonition, BE sure you are
right, and then go ahead.