The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1912-12-03

zens to take up the matter IN more
formal and definite manner. The idea
is to get as representative a body to-
gether as possible so that the new char
ter, if one is prepared, shall be truly
representative of the sentiment of the
people of the city and county, and SO
/ that the legislature, when it meets, may
feel that the bill does represent such
sentiment.
For Representative Body
"While do not propose to select the
members of this larger body i plan to
ask the various organizations to select
their own representatives and then for
those to get together and form one
I body of perhaps twenty-five members
This body can then, if it thinks possible
to act in that way, appoint sub-commit-
tees to 90 into the matter in greater
detail, collect the necessary information
and present it at the sessions of the
larger body for discussion, if that plan
| is followed, and also to disseminate in
| formation so that the public generally
will become acquainted not only with
what is being done with the different
questions that may arise, and the ar
guments for and against the different
propositions presented,
"In other woras, the desire is to
make the movement one of the people
as far MS practicable. The subject il
one that concerns every taxpayer and
resident on this island. If it is pos
sible to get better charter, one that
will be more truly representative of
public sentiment and that will result
in more efficient and economic govern
ment, that should be done
"The purpose of this committee will
be to study these questions with view
to discovering what, if anything, can
be done towards a betterment of the
local government. This is not politi
cal movement, but is one in which all
members Of the two chief political par
ties should be equally interested and in
which both parties shonld be repre-
scented.
"There is a feeling on the part OF
some that the movement originated be-
cause the Democrats elected majority
of supervisors. That, however. is not
so, but, on the contrary, the movement
for improved municipal conditions
would, and should be begun Just as
much had the Republicans won at the
polls. There is also feeling on the
mart of some that the decision is to
cut short the term of the incoming
board of supervisors, and that, also
is equally without foundation.
To Insure Popular Government.
''The idea OF the revision is not
only to bring about conditions which
will insure truly popular or represen-
tative government in the city and coun.
ty but to obtain a charter which will
increase the interest of the voters of
! . al
making it worth while for them to do
so, and also by removing the clogs and
redtape, to increase the opportunity of
those elected to office to make good and
increase the sentiment on the part of
capable men to run for office.
"Tbere is no cut and dried plan for
a new charter or for any particular
feature of new charter. 1t will be
for the general committee to study into
the question and see where, if at all,
the improvements can be made and to
decide on the features that may be
proposed shall be included, and what
shall be excluded.
"The program, insofar as there is
a program, is simply to have a non
partisan, representative investigation
and report in the common interest of
all who dwell in the city and county.
''This plan, in addition to having a
general committee thus investigate and
report, is to ask the newspapers to
cooperate as publicity sagents with the
privilege and invitation to attend all
meetings in order that they may ac-
quaint the public with what has been
the progress made from time to time.
Civic Federation Work.
The special committee recently APP
pointed by the civic federation has al
, ready done much to interest the people,
through various organizations, in the
: proposed new city charter. A repre-
sentative committee has been formed
to issue the call for the mass meeting
which shall take in hand the necessary
work by committees, as outlined by
Governor Frear, has held special meet
ings nearly every day and has taken
up the matter of interesting the vari-
Gus Hawaiian societies, as well as the
commercial organizations, in the cam
paign, with the idea that this is a
matter for all the people TO consider
and not only a few of the commercial
organizations.
All Improvement clubs and societies
have been or will be asked to send
k representatives. including the Poolas
( Order of Kamehameha, Kauikeaouli
i Hui Oiwi, Court of Lunalilo and the
( Hui Uniona, as well as number Of
/ women S societies, on the ground that
( all citizens and taxpayers will be in
< terested.
( The good work which has been quiet
K ly accomplished by the civic federation
< is progressing and meeting of tn,
4 special committee will be held earl,
k next week to determine upon the dat,
K of the mass meeting and where it ear
K best be held and then to issue the call
/ Following are those who have signe,
\ the call to date:
\ A. l.. MacKaye, chairman; w. A
\ Bryan, J. NJ. McChesney, G. f. Bush
\ Fred l.. Waldron, W. F.. Dillingham;, a
\ II. r. Vieira, W. c, Hobby, $. b. Dole
! Emil A. Berndt, F, j. Lowrey, NJ. A
4 Silva, a. a. Wilder, G. II. Dickey, \
\ f. Griliths, and NJ, NJ. Scott.