The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1915-06-18
Tells Chamber Of Commerce
Apathy of Best Citizens May
' % ~ Defeat Object
MUNICIPAL RESEARCH
CLUB GETS DUE CREDIT.
Editor OF Hawaiian Paper Ad-
vises AID Club His People
49,. ".sA Are Suspicious

| krrom TburS1ay's ADVERTISER
Charter revision has less to expect
rom the coming convention than was
horol. Hawaiian voters arc suspicion,
Of the whole scheme; politicians are
solidly against it; and the support cX.
pected from those who really are lu:Cr
ested in efficient government did not
materialize at the polls
1.-THE returns published this morn
ing, which you all have read," said
Senator A. L. Castle, at a meeting Yes
terday Of the chamber of commerce
'show that those really interested in
good government wouIdn't get out an
run for the charter convention. And
they are very much to be blamed
Senator Castle was speaking at the
invitation of the chamber on the gen
eral subject of charter revision. He
chose to eonfine himself to the h tory
of the movement in the Legislature
rather than to expound what its pro
ponents hope to accomplish.
Requires Time to Learn Job
In his review of the events leading
up to the act under which the coming
convention was called, he gave the
| lion g share of credit to the activities
of the Municipal Research Club.
At one point only did he step aside
from the line he had marked out for
himself far enough to commit himself.
"Charlie Achi' (former Senator W
| n AohtA hn III oil hot
it took a new board of supervisors six
months to learn their job, that for the
next year they did a little work, and
then, that for the remaining six months
of their term, they were busy PLAYING
politics to get eelected. Charlie had
good many sharp ideas.
THE board gu hit to be 50 consti
tuted that there should be always in
office n number of hold-over members
familiar with official business. That
might be done, say, by electing three
of the board for two years, as now
and the remaining four members fol
four years"
Three Delegates Eligible
In reply to Senator Castles crit
cisms of the personnel of the candi
| udItb WIN nave lOl lOI INK
charter convention, one member sug
gestcd that perhaps the precinct sys
tenn of nominations was in part respon
siblc. Many of those most interested
in charter revision lived in the thirc
and fourth precincts, (Manoa and Ma
kikD from each of which, under thu
terms of the act, only three delegates
were eligible.
That, " replied Senator Castle, "i
entirely true and greatly to be regret
ted. Nevertheless there was nothing
to prevent them from coming out a
candidates.
Tho same subject came up for discus
sion an hour earlier at the luncheon
of the Adj Club. Solomon Hanahano
editor of Nupepa KuokOa, the Hawaii
an weekly, was the speaker.
hanahano Speaks
1.-THE franchise given to American
citizens he said, 'tis a priceless gif
to IIawaians, today, tomorrow and 70
all time. You gentlemen may not be
lieNe me, hut il is the truth-the Ha
waiars now suspect that there is
scheme on foot, and ready to appra
without warnin', abolishing certai
elective officers of our city government
or reducing the number of elective of
ficcrs, under the plea of public in
prOVement.'
Nobody could ask for NOR
straightforward statement of how tn
Hawaiian vote will stand on any pla
Of commission government, and INTEL
gent inquiry among Hawaiians wi
confirm it anywhere.
Entitled to Select ofdcers
81 know what the Hawaiians wan
On this island" continued HanahanC
"As sons of the soil they maintai
today that they are entitled to the st
lection Of the municipal officers an
that the wish of the majority rules. Tn
nr"sent charter is satisfactory to then
with certain changes and amendment
like giving the mayor power to max
and remove his appointees for cause.
"Any movement for the bettermen
of the city administration, withou
curtailing the precious gift of the frar
'hise extended to the Hawaiian peonl
by the Organic Act, will meet with tn
hearty approval Of the Hawaiian voter
M Il taxpayers,
The attitude of the supervisor
Mavor Lane. and all the city ell
bIoyees il substantially identical an
EQUALLY frank. They think the chartC
will do very well as it is. Individual,
the mayor is naturally not averse
an increase Of his powers. On that sui
ier' the supervisors are ihclirPd to coy
Less. Rrthrr than start anvil IN this
might get away from them, they PR
fer to let we'll enOuph alone,