Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1912-09-17

Congress of a memorial for an amend
ment to the Organic Act by which the
Legislature of the Territory may have
power to act or may, should such a
course seem advisable, call a special
election for a submission Of the ques"
ton TO the voters.
CORPORATIONS OF PUBLIC
UTILITY.
In the enforcement and administra-
ton of Territorial laws governing cor
porations of public utility, there is
much that should be committed to a
commission on corporations of public
utility, thus placing in the hands OF
an administrative board many of the
functions now necessarily exercised
by the Superintendent of Public
Works and other officials, and broad
ening the control of the Territory it
self over such corporations. Power
should be vested in this commission to
equitably regulate passenger and
freight rates, as well as charges for
the consumption of electricity and gas
and the transmission Of messages, with
proper regard to the interests Of both
the people and the CORPORATIONS. 4
APPOINTMENT OF BOARDS AND
OFFICERS. -.
We favor an amendment of the Or
ganic Act by which the Governor of
the Territory shall be prohibited from
retaining in office any officers or
members of boards whose nomination
and appointment has not been con-
scented to and approved by the Senate
of the Territory. At present the man
ifest intention Of the Organic Act, that
the consent and approval of the Sem
ate must be obtained to the appoint
ment OF boards and public officers,
may be frustrated by the action of the
Governor in permitting the session of
the Legislature to lapse without the
making of appointments of which the
Senate approves. To permit such
course of action on the part of the
Governor of the Territory is to cen
tralize power in the hands of the
chief executive, and to thwart the will
of the people expressed through their
representatives in the Legislature.
STATEHOOD AND HOME RULE.
Since its organization, the Terri
tory of Hawaii has developed steadily
along all proper lines. Not only has
its material prosperity increased, but
the great majority of its people have
gained a clear conception of the prin-
ciples upon which the government OF
the United States is based, as well as
a keen appreciation of and sincere
regard for those principles. We be-
1ieye the citizens of the United States
resident in the Territory to be we'll
fitted and qualified in every way to
formulate and maintain a State gov
eminent. In intelligence, in capabil-
fly. In patriotism, In every character
istic deemed essential to an elector-
ate seeking admission as one of the
States Of the Union, the people Of
the Territory Of Hawaii will COM
pare fayorably with those of other
Territories recently become States,
and may with justice claim equal re-
cognition at the hands of Congress.
We pledge our delegate and our re,
representatives. In the Legislature TO
labor sincerely and earnestly toward
the accomplishing of statehood, and
feel assured that agitation In this re-
spect will. at no very distant time,
result in success.
Until statehood Is secured, we IA
vor the extension in every possible
way of the doctrine of home rule as
applied to the Territory. Believing
the people Of the Territory to be fully
capable Of administering their af-
fairs with honesty and ability, we
are opposed 20 any Congressional
enactments which shall seek to limit
the powers of the local Legislature,
and advocate strongly the grant to
this body OF more liberal powers, We
condemn strongly, as being absolute
ly unfounded, any statements .or
CLAIMS that any industries or inter-
ests or classes within the Territory
need be afraid of unfair or unjust