Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1913-11-22
EXPLAyATIONOF
OPINION MADE
+. BfR.L. Weaver

~
I county attorney, has given the Star
Bulletin the following statement
touching on his opinion of the powers
Of the civil service commission. Mr.
Weaver believes that his position has
not been correctly understood.
The following is his statement:
THE issue as to the scope Of the
powers OF the civil service commits.
sion has been discussed at consider.
able length by the public press.
desire TO call the attention OF the pub
lie to a certain confusion Of ideas
shown In the discussion thereof. In
certain editorials / have noted two
false assumptions. First, that the
name Civil Service Commission in
cilides in its meaning commission
for the government of a department,
and second, that there is an attempt
on the part Of the board OF superyis.
ore TO oppose any measure Of reform,
that Is, q measure creating commits
sion TO govern and control the police
and fire departments OF the city and
county Of Honolulu. i =
THE title Of the act, creating the
civil service commission, controls the
powers which may be conferred on the
commission IN its text, by reason of
the terms OF the organic act. The
act, creating the commission, describes
the purpose OF the act as one to create
Z civil service commission. for the
fire and police departments of Homo
lulu. IT is not an act to create a COM
mission for the control of the fire
and police departments. These two
purposes are entirely distinct. The
term civil service commission does
not include the latter idea. The United
States civil service commission was
enabled to do great work without at
tempting to control the departments
Of the federal government. This com
mission has e. useful sphere Of action
within its proper orbit The contro-
persy arises because IL assumes to 90
beyond its orbit. There is conjunc.
ton Of planets, with consequent fric-
ton.
The commission assumes to exer-
else powers which belong among the.
duties Of commission for the con.
troll Of the fire and police depart
ments These powers have not been
conferred upon 1t. either BY express
statute or by implication Then, why
the opposition OF the press to the at
tempt Of the board of supervisors to-
point out the limits Of the powers or
the commissionf Second. The board
Is not opposing any reform. It Isl
merely avoiding error. The board OF
y $3.50, 80 :, 49, ;L eSI
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MOVERS entrusted ia n without 81.
cnre ar authority az law. The hoard
wishes 70 avoid this error. The board
a aleo entrusted with the duty to
see that the government is econom-
icaiIy administered. without unneces-
eary and unauthorized expenditure OF
money. When the civil service COM
mission shows that Il has spent money
OF the county or asks the county to-
pay It's money for the expenses Of the
commission, incurred without any aus
thority Of law, 1t is for the board to
call the attention OF the commission
to the fact.
aFurthermore the question OF the
authority 81 the commission 10 act as
4 commission to govern the fire and
n6liee tiepartmenfs Is spoken of IN the
public press az doubtful. question
Is 81 submitted ia the courts II Is
dlffIcuit to irnaetne any argument
which could be made by any one
versed IN constituting statutes. which |
would sustain the view taken by the
commission. have not learned of1
any opinion given to that body which
rnetainE their view
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so..
When the legislature sees nj 70
create e commission ior the govern |
ment o. the police ana IRE depart
ments. Il VIII become the outy OF tne
board OF SUPERVISORS 10 assist them
- every way 1inancially ana DINER