Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1913-02-19
CONTINUED from Page o.
teGest In this matter that has been
manifested SO much of late


manifested SO much of late.
A comparatively new form OF local
government, known as the commits
sion or short ballot form, has proved
80 satisfactory on the mainland that
IL Is now spreading rapidly through
ont the country and evoking most
fiattering opinions from those best
able to judge. Its fundamental fea-
ture is the short ballot. IL empha-
sizes simplicity OF machinery and
eonspicuousness OF candidates and re-
sponsibility. The only elective off,
GERS as a rule are the commissioners,
or, as they are called here, the super
sisors, and they are few in number.
The mayor has vote but no veto and
serves as the presiding officer OF the
board Of commissioners and the cere-
mQnial head Of the city. The com
missioners or supervisors are elected
at large and the powers of the city or
county are concentrated in them.
They act collectively In a legislative
or directive capacity like the board of
directors Of a corporation, and indi-
vidually In an executive or admins
trative capacity as the heads Of the
several departments of the city gov.
eminent. The system has many adj
yantages. One Of these is its conye-
nience. It is so simple and free from
clogs that the commissioners can
easily and quickly accomplish what
is desired-to the satisfaction both
Of themselves and those with whom
they deal. Another advantage is that
Ii tends to raise the standard of can
didafes and Of efficiency of the elect
ed officers. There is greater induce
ment for capable candidates to con.
sent to serve because there is great
en- opportunity for them to do things
owing to their greater powers and
freedom. from red tape and obstruc-
tons Of one kind or another, and be-
cause they are accountable more d.
rectly to the people and under less
obligations to the machines. They
are not hampered by q veto obstruc.
ton from above or by independent
they must act but over whom they
have no control. The system does not
necessarily result In the election OF
the sD-caIled better classes or Of per-
sons who are not politicians. but II
does result In better and more disin-
terested service on the part of those
who are elected. because they are
kept in the limelight and cannot shift
responsibilities. The greatest advan-
tage, however, Is that 1t increases the
civic interest and effectiveness of the
voters. by making II possible and
worth while to take an active and
effective part In politics. The short
ness Of the ballot enables the voters
10 concentrate their attention on q
few candidates and act independently
IN regard to them without the aid OF
an intervening boss or machine: and
the Importance of the Offices and the
powers and clear responsibility of the
ofIcers are sufficient inducement
FOR them to do this. The voice OF the
people becomes reality instead of 9
name. The old notion that the great
er the number Of elective officers the
greater the degree of popular govern
l5enf or the extent to which the PEG
Die govern themselves is now explod-
ed Popular government is measured
not BY the number Of officers elected
but By the control which the people
have over them. A government is moi
truly q government by the people ex,
ctpt ID so far as It Is responsive and
responsible to the people. only thosf
ollcer4 should De eiectea VINO are =
determine poilcles, ieaslns !. ~ ne
% appoint the omcers WIG arg =
execute those poiicles. ohaer .ns
new eystem inert - $50 s' - ~
Or maeninery,s sncn cisash 81, ~ -
sPQnslpinty or tns pa Y. ~ $3.50 -. :. J
ana sucn pessiDie eIecllssn :, ~ ~, s.s
part o. me voters Lnat .ne las,sl ~.
can ana VII 1895 ~ 49, s...i 49, !,
measure .nsir ylisileses a.. 1880 :.
ciuzeesnip Tue so.s - &c. sssn -. - : ~ -
telis el1scsS o1 .lls o ~. - - 80 -
NE eonetson - luS ~ - -. .ha 80 80 - -
htss 80 4u' ~ - ~ - " - ~
eet 1s JOS .ls 49, 49, ~ ,o,;.s
trustee os ss.ss su e sxssa s,
1918 49, ,,,,,h en,sortnnitv =,
lnsy tasS go ~ A. new svs.
t1ey weL,- e 49,. r,n,a-s "a .hsr.
te4 ~ eees ,.,. sS - .ps. tha,, vii
= t t.us'N NJ 49, a.,.I hovs not naari,
% liss,ss' 49, ... - sxarcise thei,