The Hawaiian gazette., 1912-10-04
IMPORTANCE OF
MUNICIPALITIES
Secretary Fisher Tells Business
Men About Reforms in
City Government.
tFrom wendnesdax Aaxertiserl


Fisher, secretary of the interior, on
municipal government, and heard him
make many illusions to the Honolulu
government, illusions which met with
applause.
The Secretary graphic description of
the workings of the Municipal Voters
League of Chicago, in which the Secre
tary is one of the leading members and
who was one of the originators of what
is believed to be the most unique politi.
cal organization in the United States,
was greatly appreciated.
The city, he said, although few
know it, is one of the most important
factors in the development Of the ma
ton. Rome, the city, became Rome
the empire; Athens the city, became
the Greece of power; Paris speaks for
France, London for England.
lie was instrumental, he said, in
having conference held in Chicago
of representatives of municipalities
looking to reforms. 1t was thought
there was perhaps more Of hope for
the future in the city than in any 9th.
er feature of our government. He said
people have been too prone to regard
the city as the weak spot, but he did
not believe that theory was well found
ed. The incentive for reforms in our
governmental conditions is fostered by
the city.
Took Political Jobs.
The city of Chicago had gotten rid
of many of its dangers and evils and
has made very substantial progress
The men who undertook reforms had
the wisdom to start at the bottom Men
of intelligence and probity took the
position of the once despised aldermen
a body which was once regarded as one
of the most disreputable political bodies
in existence. Today, and for years
past, the personnel is honest and rea-
sonably efficient.
In his opinion, perhaps the most re-
markabie incident is the annual organ
ization of the municipal board of the
city of Chicago, He had the honor of
inaugurating it and organized the Mu-
nicipal Voters League, composed of
committee from each of the two domi-
nant parties. Their greatest good comes
from publicity. Nothing is done in the
dark. That committee selected the
standing committee and upon given
day they were announced, and accent
ed. They wanted 1T to be known that
any man who did not carry out his
promises would be branded as a liar.
The league was attacked as being UNI.
constitutional. The Federation of
Labor regarded it with suspicion and
asked to have a conference. Mr.. Fish.
er and another, and newspaper men
went to the Federation headquarters.
This was a surprise to the Federation.
Fisher was asked to go into room and
have the door closed for conference.
Mr.. Fisher refused, saying he would re-
main in the hall and answer all ques-
tions so that the press could get all
of it.
As to contributions for the league,
Mr.. Fisher said they came from all
sources and were all made public. The
league accepted large and small con-
tributions. The saloon men contribut.
ed. In some cases saloon men were
run in certain wards where it was
shown they We're the better men in
the list of candidates. The league in
vited libel suits. The wealth of the
men composing the league was large
and was made public. There were many
libel suits, for the league called thief,
a thief, and scoundrel scoundrel,
but not one of the snits was ever
brought to trial. After elections they
were dismissed and withdrawn. The
league always put up the best men in
each ward Secretary Fisher adding
trltely, eve never chased angels
He sharply criticized those who did
not do their public duty, or shirked
it. Any man, he said, who was fit for
self-government, fit to claim to be an
Aemerican citizen, should be willing to
stand up and be counted in public life
The Way in Hawaii.
AS to his visit in Honolulu, the Sec
rotary said he had enjoyed it immense
ly. There have been interesting ques
tions, the hospitality was warm and he
regretted his stay would be so short
As to the situation down here, and
, he had given some attention to its af
fairs, il reminded him of the story OF
) the darby who had grown up in a
family and followed his masters ways
and attended the Episcopalian church
i Finally he became a Methodist. One
/ of his friends met him one day and
5 asked why he had changed his church
0 He replied that the EpiscopaliaI
church was no place for him any
more why, san, there g too mucf
2 a'reading of de minutes of de last
e meeting, and not enough new bust
ness. -
A "That is the way it is in Hawaii, >
he added. at is in your hands Il
' change it. II is time TO stop think
(. ing about what was done in the past
S and 10 think what can be done il
the future.
+. Mr.. Fishers theory was that it il
( not necessary for a man to seek oitic,
n to do the greatest good for his city
. or country. Citizenship meant thai
p every citizen shall assume the respon
sibility of studying conditions and de
ending for himself the men most suit
able TO I'll Offices
RAW SUGAR STEADY.