Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1913-03-27
FOR PROBE
BILL SHORT,
DECISIVE

For the first ;..ne this session and
one of the few times during the four
terms he has served as speaker. IL l.
Holstein took the floor yesterday aft
ernocn to lead in the battle for a
favored measure. The resultant con-
fict was short, sharp and decisive,
victory going to the forces led by the
speaker, and senate bill IS, providing
the commission for the investigation
OF Hawaii county financial Affairs,
bsssed by large, safe margin.
Just before the struggle there had
been some doubt, though small, of the
measures passage. 1t had been fig
ured that about nine representatives
would oppose it, though there was
still the chance that the minority
might succeed in so amending it that
its usefulness might be ruined.
BY his consummate skill as parlia-
mentarian, as orator and debater, the
SPEAKER saved it from the destructive
operations Only one amendment was
made That does not affect materially
the measures workings. and the
amendment probably viii be concurred
liz by the senate and sent to the chief
executive, who already has gone on
record in the bills favor. Hence. it
is question now only of time. few
Gays at the most, before house bill
rs becomes law.
Denying antagonist to the spirit OF
the measure. yet leading an onslaught
that would have killed it. Representa-
tive Archer, Irwin, of Hilo. succeeded
ilI getting three amendment proposals
before the house, but after that he
found It practically impossible to gain
tie floor BY parliamentary tactics
Holstein held him In his seat.
Just once he was permitted to come
to his feet after Holstein had begun
his mastery attack That was when
the Republican leader read an excerpt
from the Star-B Of Tuesday. in
which Irwin was quoted as saying that
the bill was part of political gamc
PLAYED by r. w. Breckons. with Hol-
STEMS assistance. Hoistein, reading
the statement and remarking that it
vas so ridiculous he could not be-
lieve the member in question made
such statement asked If 1t were
correct Then Irwin. with the chance
presented, briefly replied something
to the effect that eit was not exactly
Once or twice he sought to inter
rupt his opponent bv a question, but
vas cut short by the 1atter's state
ment that 'she declined to be inter
rupted. ;, Holstein would permit no
discussion after he had put motion.
seeking the privileged question al.
ways, compelling vote and forcine
the opnositinu members to fret and
chafe in their seats as they watched
The tide set against them. HoIstein
VAS careful to See that his was the
last word spoken before each ballot
was taken-and that word was logic
irrefutable When others spoke. they
smoke before him. and then be tore
their argument to bits like paper He
made no long speeches. the one of
greatest duration probably being on
fhe third proposed amendment, to let
the territory instead of Hawaii county
bear the expense. Then he spoke
probably for five minutes, but much
of that time was given to the reading
OF names of the leading business and
civic organization men Of Hawaii who
had sent wireless messages urging
that the county bear the burden of
the probe.
Irwin's first amendment was to COM
pei all hearings of the commission to
tie held in the county of Hawaii. Hol-
stein moved to table it, and the re-
sulant ballot, te table, was as follows:
Ayes-Coney. C. H Cooke, G. P.
Cooke, Goodness, Huddy, Kaaua,. Kau-
pike, Kinslea, Makekau. Sheldon.
Spalding, Tavares, Waiaholo, Watkins,
Holstein-15.
Noes Asch, ida Silva, Irwin, Kala-