Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1917-07-02

Their Opportunity

very new administration comes into office with
unusual Observation-Disclosures new city ad-
histration is no exception.
In fact, Mayor Fern and the new board OF super
Drs have the greatest opportunity for effective,
ling, constructive work that has been offered any
of city officials since local selfgovernment was
ablished, more than decade ago.
For the first time board has been elected on nom
,rtisan votes. -.
The independent vote has figured largely in other
ections but it never demonstrated itself with such
over as on June when it elected to the board
I've Republicans and two Democrats and defeated
Two Republican and five Democrats.
Nonpartisan voting did this OF course not all
Dr. even majority of the votes cast were by men ad.
hsring to neither party. But the deciding votes
votes that placed two Democrats on the board
18th five Republicans the votes of men cast.
u their ballots not for party candidates but for
Indicates they felt could best deliver the goods for
hcient city government
What does this mean now? a....
1t means that the new board goes into Office free
make appointments and pass appropriations on
he basis of efficiency and not politics. The present
oard owes little to party organizations. It owes
gerything to the city at large To serve either
arty organization first and the city second would
g gross betrayal Of trust, and the Star Bulletin
oes not size up the new board as one that win be-
ray trust. I'M
The party organizations have already been too
ctye for their own good since the election If they
y to run the city, through the board it will wreck
be board and wreck the next two years Of admin
'stration.
On the other hand, If the new board makes the
record which It should make, every member viii be
reelected two years from now. Nothing in Homo
lpm can defeat them For they viii have given such
an administration that the sound principal Of nom
partisanship ir local government win have advanc-
cd 100 per cent and the majority Of voters viii be
Of the party whip.
Habit in politics Is as hard to shake Of a. habit
Is business, society eating and drinking The habit
Of listening to the party politicians is difcut to
break. Perhaps It may seem to some Of the new
Supervisors that party organizations represent the
PEOPLE. They do not represent the people in Homo
lulu today and analysis Of the vote at the last cleo
ton shows it
So the couhsels Of the party politicians are not
wise counsels for the new supervisors Better, far
better to act with independent Judgment better to
study listen weigh all sides and then act as con.
srience dictates.
Courage and Judgment courage to shake of the
|oeohes Of politics, judgment to choose the right
course for oneself viii carry the board on the
right road over ali petty barriers The Star Bulle
|in speaks for many thousands OF Honolulans in
saying that there is today great hope that the
board will cut loose from the political habit Of the
p3st and welcome the habit Of the future efficiency
service to the city first
This isa board that can do it.
The city viii watch very carefully to see who, IL
nv, begins factienalism, who stoops to pettiness
Who i nageer, who is not big enough for the job
All have been elected on the theory that they have
lie ability and experience to do real service to
their city.
THAT means work, not squabbles.