Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1916-02-07
WHY so IRRITABLE?

4 d. 4.
The Hilo Tribune devotes two and one-hali
columns Of editorial space to a comparison OF
Hawaii and Honolulu county government, APP.
parently with the hope of persuading itself and
Hawaii county generally that Honolulu is very
much worse mismanaged than Hawaii
In the course of hiseditorial, Jour good friend
Editor j. B. MeSwanson, after quoting the
star Bulletins statistical proof that Honolulu
supervisors have oysr-abpropsiatedin ia!
grant manner, says:
On Oahu this. state of Affairs is accepted as re-
irritable, but as not of sufficient importance to
merit more than mere presentation Of he facts in
the Honolulu newspapers for one or two issues Ii
4 had happened Hawaii or one of the other out
aide islands, II would be IS subject of vast civic
Importance and proof that the Hawaiians are not
yirtuous Honolulu daies would be volubly demand
Ing that the law be enforced. which provides fine
and jail sentence for just such over-approprations
by county Supervisors and other officials.
The reason for Oahus mudded government affairs
does not have be looked for That county is rough
ridden by politicians: and the Honolulu newspapers
Of any influence afraid play up" the acts of
the county officials for fear of bringing defeat the
political party with which both the officials and the
newspapers aligned. toahu politicians and news
papers have still to learn that most voters In city
and county eectonsnoW cast their ballots according
to individual inclination-and not on account Of
party afplations)
We don't know what g Mac has been feed
inc on insfhe waysof mental ssistehaIce, but GER
tainly it must be remarkable stuff for him to
1;klFup this comment as the result. The Homo
lulu press has notfaccepted the state of affairs
IS merelE sregrettable' nor confined comment
to one ortwo issues. 1T was the Star Bulletin
which dog up ss Law on over-appropriatfons
and published it for the benefit of the super
I'sors and the county attorney, not only that,
but put the situation squareIy up to the respon-
sible officials. Nor did the Star Bulletin ever
point to the Hawaii graft expose as proof that
the Hawaiiansi are not capable of self govern
ment, What the Star Bulletin did do in this
we'll remembered case was to point out the loop
holes In county law which exposed officials to
ed, and that honest officials be protected from
the acts of dishonest officials.
The Hilo Tribune. is similarly far from the
facts when il charges that the Honolulu news
papers are afraid to play up the acts of local
officials for fear of bringing defeat to the Re-
publican party. Even casual reading of local
newspaper files for six months past would show
the criticism that has followed the exhibition of
certain weaknesses and failures on the part of
the present board of supervisors. And 10th
papers recognize and have again and again
pointed out that the balance of power-on Oahu
is now held by the independent vote. 1t was SO
in 1914 and it was so in 1912. And it will be so
IN 1916.
The Tribune also remarks with apparent
peevishness that the Hawaii county probe and
exposure of graft was 1.-THE result of the de
mands of the Honolulu press" 1t was the re-
suit of territory-wide demand, in which the
Newspapers of Hilo, particularly the Tribune,
took an actiys part. Il was primarily the de.
.Inand Of good citizens Of Hawaii county tina