The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1911-08-22

Unanimous endorsement of Dr. J. s.
B. Pratt and statement by the Gov
ernor highly eulOgistic of the general
health officer were the new features of
the situation regarding the presidency
of the territorial board of health, yes
terday.
The Governors outspoken statement
was made following an executive meet
ing of the members of the board Of
health at the capitol. The meeting was
called by the Governor in order that
he might obtain at first hand the Opin-
ions of the men who are most closely
In touch with health and sanitary mat
tiers in the Territory. Everyone present
supported Doctor Pratt for the position
and the Governor had no hesitation IN
saying afterward that he considers Doc
tor Pratt the best sanitarian in the
Territory. He also said:
The Man Behind the Gun.
ssOf course a great many people have
not had the opportunity to learn to
know Just what Doctor Pratt has done.
He has been in the service a great
many years and knows it from top TO
bottom better than any other man. He
has been in many cases the man be-
hind the gun although he has not been
seen through the smoke by the on
lockers.
'tThere are goud many things to
be considered in connection with tins
matter. The whole ground has been
gone over from many standpoints dur
ing the last few weeks, and thus far
no better man than Doctor Pratt Tor
the place has been found.
h oA1 Ia, ornn nf
the most important and will grow in
importance during the next few years.
Perhaps no one man can be found who
possesses all of the qualities in the
desired degree that would make up per
lection, nor is it always the person who
attracts the most attention that pro-
duces the best results. Whoever is APP
pointed the thing for the public to do
is to get behind him and afford him
every opportunity TO make good, and
TO help him to do so.
Deprecates Knocking"
'There is considerable difference of
opinion in regard to whether Doctor
Pratt is the best man available for the
position. This is due largely to differ
ence in knowledge in regard to him.
But whether he is the best man avail
able or not there is no sense, nor public
spirit, in knocking him before 1t Is
demonstrated that he is not equal to the
lob, in case he should be appointed.
HThe public welfare is the consider.
alton of first Importance and every pa
triotic person, and every person who has
the best interests of the Territory at
heart. will help rather than hinder who.
ever may be appointed
SfDaonla ,,o4y diffar in their ODinIOus
beforehand as to what may be the
result of the appointment of a partieu-
lar man, and may take active steps IN
favor or against him. but after he Il
appointed they should be guided rather
by the actual results than by the pre-
conceived probable results
Hawaiians Support Pratt.
The Governor added that he had had
a number of communications from Ha
waiians requesting the appointment OF
Doctor Pratt and he has been told thai
the Hawaiians quite generally desire
him. Among the documents he has re
ceived on the subject is a petition sign
ed by the officers of a Hawaiian society
1t Is further pointed out that Doctor
Pratt, besides being the best sanitariar
on the Islands, has also had experience
as a business man here. Further he hal
had the advantage of travel in countries
which have had to face sanitary prob
lens Of much the same nature as som'
OF those which now confront the Ter
ritory He Is familiar with condition.
here and also with the people and j
believed 70 have more thorough grasI
Of details regarding the public heaitl
than any other man.
The Governor credits him with tact
anickness Of action and good judgment
and aays DOoiof Pratt Is cntitled z
much credit as regards the working on
ne plans for the big sanitary work q
Honolulu which Is 70 be carried out o