Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1915-06-16
HAWAIIANS FEAR
LIMITATIONO OF
FRANCHISE RIGHT
Editor Hanohano Tells Ad Club
They Suspect Well Planned
Scheme at Convention

Ad Club members gathered around
the luncheon table today to hear some
thing about the proposed revision OF
the charter, but definite information
on this important subject was lacking.
Several who are candidates to be
delegates to the convention. were on
hand. but begged to be excused from
expressing their views at this early
date Whether the general sentiment
Is for a clean sweep of existing muni.
cipal laws. or merely the correction of
certain defects. could not be hscer-
tained.
The exception was Solomon Hano.
'hano, editor of the Nupepa Kuokoa,
who threw some light on the Hawaii.
an attitude towards a. change in gov
ernmental form. According 10 the
speaker the Hawaiians would favor
anything thta might lead to improved
conditions. provided that the changes
did not Interfere with their right of
franchise.
The franchise given to American
citizens. Is priceless gift to the Ha.
waiians today, tomorrow and for all
time said Editor Hanohano. You
gentlemen may not believe me, but
it is the trllthvthe Hawaiians new
euspent. .tiaf fhafe Is Hsselfenie pianne6
and ready to appear without warning
abolishing certain elective officers OF
cur city government, or reducing the
number Of elective officers, under thu
plea of public improvement.
Il know what the Hawaiians want
on this island, and In speaking of,
their rights, believe I am yoicfng the
sentiment Of the majority AS sons
of the soil they claim today that they
are entitled to the selection of the
municipal officers, and that the wish
of the majority rules. The. present
charter is satisfactory to them, with
certain changes and amendments, like
giving the mayor the power to ap-
point and to discharge his appointees
for cause; the rights of taxation, and
IN fact, municipal government with
full powers apart from the territory
In some respects.
Il do not believe in establishing
too many offices at the instigation of
the elective officers, and the hiring
OF high salaried men and unnecessary
clerks and employees. II means a
waste Of public money, and a poor
way OF running any government. Rath-
er than eliminate any OF the elective
cfiicers It would be better to exercise
the recall law, as is done In some cit
les on the mainland"
ANY movement for the betterment
OF the city and county administration
without curtailing the precious gift of
franchise extended to the Hawaiian
people by the Organic Act, will meet
with the approval and hearty coopera-
tion OF the Hawaiian voters and tax.
PAYERS" said the speaker in closing.
w. O.. Smith thought that as q gener-
al thing it was better in the public
interest to remedy defects in municip-
al government with as few changes as.
possible.
Ed Towse thought that the idea Of
the charter convention delegates
should be to strive toward the ideal,
with the probability of compromise.
He is for sweeping changes in the pre-
sent forms
This is the best board OF supervis-
ors we have ever had" said Towse,
"and yet. after six months, they are
in worse shape than the worst board
we ever had"
Leader Peter Kalani OF the Hawai-
ian Band was on hand with six vocal
and instrumental artists, who were
heard to advantage.
R. c. Brown sang.
An innovation in the form of a hig
alarm clock. that went off sharp at /
O'Clock, met with unqualified approval.
1t was elected a regular member, and
win be heard from each Wednesday.