Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1914-11-28

those which the western territories
had. is in rather marked extension
OF the home rule idea in favor Of Ha.
waii- In short, in practical operation,
Hawaii is more nearly possessed OF
the rights Of sovereign state than is
any other territory ever organized.
The vOter-and there Is no restriction
on suffrage, save age, sex and American
citizenship-has the right to partici-
pate in the selection OF the officers of
his own municipality. a delegate to
Congress, and members Of the legis'a-
ture. OF course, as under all terri.
torial forms Of government. the gov
ernor is appointed by the President.
LEGISLATION ON INTELLIGENT
LINES.
So much. Mr.. "purist. for the gov
eminent itself Ii present in Honolu,
lu during the months of February and
March in the odd numbered years,
you may. should you desire, witness a
legislature in session. You will be
surprised to note that its operations
differ little from the body which as
ly-perhaps annually, should you re-
side in one of those states where pro-
gress seems to re measured by the
number of laws enacted. You will
see an orderly, well-conducted body;
will hear subjects discussed. and in
diligently discussed, which you be-
lieved were unknown in Hawaii IL
you see any evidences Of graft. it will
be of the petty kind-perhaps, indeed.
your own observations of your own
legislature may have made you so ia.
miliar with it as to enable you to
readily recognize Il. And, It may be
safely predicted that you will take
away with you a more favorable view
of our law-making uody than you an
ticipated. Unless you come in Septem-
Der or October you will see nothing of
the general election. If you should
be here during one of those months
and the climate of Hawaii is an all
year tourist climate-you will enjoy
this feature. For elections in Hawaii
are interesting. The majority of the
electorate,>is Hawaiian, and the aver
age Hawaiian takes an active interest
in politics. And, mark you, 1t is not
an interest created solely by the re-
lief from the monotony Of everyday
life afforded by the excitement OF a
political contest; issues are consider
ed; and II at times comparatively
issue IS given undue prom.
inence, that is the exception and not
the rule. Perhaps national issues are
not given the close consideration
which appears on the surface OF your
own county contests; but somehow or
ether, In some vague and undesirable
way, the electorate or Hawaii seems to
be swayed by the atmosphere on the
mainland. Perhaps It Is instinct;
perhaps real study Of national prob
lens. But it's there, Just the same.
For instance, two years ago the tidal
wave on the mainland reached Hawaii
and almost wiped out large Repub-
iican majority of the previous election.
This year of 1914 the Republicans Of
Hawaii came back and annihilated the
Democratic party. Thus once more
may it be said, you are not stranger
in strange land. =.
PICTURESQUE POLITICS.
Political meetings in Hawaii, like
other attractions. are picturesque.
Nearly always they are held out Of
doors. Nearly always they are well
attended. Often the addresses are in
When speaker addresses
his audience in English an interpreter
is usually employed. The audience,
as a rule, is enthusiastic. 1t is not
unusual, either, that some voter will
PROFOUND questions to the speaker.
Good order prevails and rowdyism Is
the exception. Not an inconsiderable
of the listeners is compos-
ed of women and that their influence
on the elections is considered of
potent nature may be inferred from
the fact that all political parties in
Hawaii have declared in favor OF wo-
man suffrange. ...t
ELECTIONS ARE CLEAN. =
The elections themselyes-and we
have two of them, the primary and
the general-are worth noting, and
perhaps, IL some reports we read in
the newspapers be true, worth initial
ing by some of the people across the
sea. AS yet our ballot retains some
evidences of sanity, and proportion and
and but comparatively few
ballots are rejected in the final count.
Little or no confusion prevails at the
booths, and one is impressed with the
idea that an honest attempt is being