Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1911-02-15
FEBRUARY IS, 1911

ldullo W pt IOil ttttu " l''Si'i'i'"
in the organization of the CouotieS
| while the old discrcdited Territorial
government, with its meddlinS in
matters that are or should be sub
jects for local action, is left to go on
its expensive way rejoicing
Governor Frear assumes that the
Department of Public Works will car
ny on the water works of Honolulu,
He points with pride to the work that
! has been done in that bureau with
! the amount of money available, spe-
officially calling attention to Che fact
that there has been no raise ia the
water rates. That sounds all right
But the people know that the Super
intendent of Public Works attempted
to raise the rates when they We're not
taking notice, and only the timely
publicity given the matter by the
Bulletin prevented the people pay
ing a higher price for their water.
Governor Frear assumes that the
great amount of wharf construction
that should be done is to be handled
Unde" the sole direction of the Super
intendent of Public Works. The peo-
pie demand a harbor commission.
Governor Frear in turning over re-
sponsililities to the Counties urges
that the statutes shall more clearly
define the control by the Counties Of
sidewalks. This is important but it
seems about the only additional thing
in public works that he wishes
placed under the administration of
the people in whose immediate COM
the work is done.
But it is when he deals with the
city government of Honolulu that the
Governor shows up as the centralizer
of all centralzers.
Governor Frear espouscs the com
form of municipal govern
ment in every detail except that which
assures popular government. In fact
the Governor specifically repudiatcs
the one feature of the commission
government that is the one and only
guarantee against bossism, political
2hicanery and misgoyernment
The reputation is not uttered in The
same breath with the advocacy of
evolution and therefore might easily
escape the attention of the casual
'cader.
Commission government for Homo
ulu is endorsed in most enthusiastic
manner in one portion of the MESSAGE
where it is pointed out that the re-
iponsibility of the city officials should
)e centralized.
One of the corner stones of the com
mission form of government is the in
tiative and referendum. Under
Elections" where certain reforms are
discussed we find this sentence: "For-
conditions in Hawaii have
not reached stage calling for the
third reform chat of the initiative.
The referendum and the rccalD and
The need even of the second reform.
that Of direct primary, is less here
than in other places"
The practical result of Governor
Frear's scheme will be to bring dis
credit on popular government in these
islands. The government might be
popular in name but he would have it
of the most vital part-the
guarantee that the people will be rep
resented, not misrepresented
To say that local self government is
in the hands of friends when it is
lealt with by the Executive of the
Territory, is to supply an enigma for
supporters of government of, by and
or the people to solve. The Govern
)r's message comments make more
ng with the form of Honolulu'S mu-
licipal government as little as pos
ible.
The message rings true in it's dec
aration for proper support of public
The conditions in this
aspect are disgraceful and should not
Onger prevail
The suggestion for department. of
and Statistics is in keep
ng with the Importance of immigra- ,
ion to the future prosperity of the
stands.
Generally speaking the Governor
as put facts Of receipts and eXpendi- !
ures before the people clearly and
G has directed attention to pressing ,