The Hawaiian gazette., 1910-02-15
HAWAII FORCED
TO CONSIDER It
People Must Decide Question of
Prohibition Whether They
Like 1t or Not.
CONGRESS is MANDATORY
Mott-Smith Outlines Course of
Preparatory Routine in the
Impending Election.
CONGRESS- is MANDATORY

1t will be about forty days after the
receipt of the congressional notification
that a special election must be held
here before the people go to the polls
This is under the statutory provision
that the Governor s proclamation shall
be issued that period of time in ad-
vance of election day, and depends
whether proclamation itself is issued
as soon as that notification is received.
The reported coming action of congress
will force the prohibition question on
the people whether they like it or not,
the registry of voters last used at
general election to be used now. This is
the gist of statement made last night
by Secretary of the Territory Mott
Smith.
"Only the territorial laws would pre-
vail at such an election said Mr..
Mott Smith, "and believe that they
make an election day a holiday. This
is the second time that a special cleo
tluH HAS bttU ntlu utIc, luG ulsJ DtlHS
that which made w. w. Harris repre-
sentative to fill a vacancy in the house
and which was held in 1902. AS far
as | know this is the first time congress
has ever ordered special territorial
election anywhere.
90 Had congress deferred action on the
prohibition for Hawaii question which
has come before it, it would have
forced the necessity upon Hawaii of
considering it at its next general cleo
ton. 1t would have devolved upon the
people TO consider the question at the
polls and it would have devolved upon
the next legislature to enact such laws.
1t would be placing the Territory in
such position that it would be virtual
ly on trust; with the inference that
if it did not settle the prohibition
question itself, congress would again
take the matter up, convinced that in
this instance federal interference would
be necessary.
81 believe that the question of gov
ernment by commission did figure in
this reported favoring by the commit
tee of the plebiscite. 1t seems an evil
dent assurance that congress believes
Hawaii is capable of managing its own
affairs. If government by commission,
ever comes up. il will do so fiat t-footed, !,
but it would be contrary to American
ideals. We have solved questions here
ourselves that the United States, with
all its machinery, has never been able
TO do. We have drawn together a
homogeneous population without con
fiict.n
1t is on the secretary that the brunt
of the routine work involved in the
calling of a special or general election
devolves. In regard to the feature of
the present question, Mr.. Mott-Smith
said:
"When congress directs by joint
resolution or by act that the question
of federal prohibition in Hawaii shall
6e submitted to vote of the people of
Hawaii, such action is mandatory and
in that sense instructs the people of
Hawaii to consider this question
whether they wish to or not. In the
same sense it may be considered as
special legislation and in some sense as
participation in local affairs.
(Which ever way it may be consid-
cred, | think that the precipitation of
discussion on any live question affect
ing vital and fundamental interests is
good thing. 1t may provoke warm
discussion, sharp division and sever old
relations, but ii gives every one fair
show. This solace at least is for those
who after the smoke of battle has
cleared are stricken or wounded.
"There are two ways of solving the
liquor question in Hawaii: one by all
tho 81, l.. 4