Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1917-10-26
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LETTERS
THE SHERIFF AND FAIR PLAY
Edition Honolulu star.RulIetfn.

/ caused Dy the consideration OF good
We desire, obtained by one we think
should not have had it before us" and
Webster defines the word efficiency,
from the Latin efficientia, as the
quality of being efficient or producing
effects, a causing to be or exist, ef-
fectual agency"
The philosopher and the linguist
have well stated these simple but po-
tent words. Words that apply with
succinct force to the policies of the
sheriff of Honolulu. and the civil ser
vice commission of Honolulu. But with
this exception. inefficiency in place OF
efficiency-inability in place of capa,
bility.
Among the best men, and those
most beloved by the gods, Socrates
said, were those who in political Of
fees performed their public duties
we'll" tMemorabilia of Socrates ok.
Isl,
And thfs brings me to my subject.
The sheriff has deliberately set
aside rules that proved irksome to
himself-and the civil service commits
sion has been whipped into submis-
sion.
Envy, lack of efficiency, neglect in
public duty, these are the primal Ques-
tons of the day, the luminaries of the
municipal heaven. Political behead'
ments. political upheavals. political
violations of law, pass rapidly in pan
Drama.
And we who, by dint of endeavor,
have passed over the murky waters.
are doomed to disappointment. Our
dollars are gone, the doctor has them,
out wits have disappeared into the
tolls of the commission.
Sieut erat in principis and so it shall
be forever and ever. The vicissitudes
of this mortal existence are ever thus.
Our fond ambitions are swallowed up
in the nav of the shrievalty.
AS Luna apparently retrogrades in
the heavens, SO the municipal satel-
lites retrace their steps, Heretofore.
we have learnt to walk ahead, we
must now cultivate the art of walking
backwards. -@-
For who is there to dispute the sher-
iff or his henchmen, the commission
ers? What earthly power may we IN
woke? Who shall grid US with the
strength of Goliah?
Autocracy has come all the way
from Germany to Honolulu. Here it
finds solace in the bosom of that eX.
allied and noble circle, the police, and
in that sovereign council Of the doges,
the Honolulu civil service commission.
Into my soul pours the remem-
branee of those ordeals, that were to
initiate me into the mysteries of the
police. am reminded of the mystic
antics underwent in that chamber of
horrors. Baron's gymnasium, and of
the mind-racking mental test. But
our aspirations have been denied; the
door to the inner shrine is closed for
ever. Brother neophytes We have
been-stung!
And upon him, the least worthy
among us. the great Unum has deign
ed to smile In the arms of the Orient
one, the prodigal is clasped. The grand
and most worthy conclaye of the no
BILE three have set aside the ancient
rule. am blinded and overcome.
For had hoped of attaining to the
plain of Soliman, and of revealing the
secrets of Mecca. And my soul was
made glad. in the thought that, being
sanctified, should draw the veil OF
the temple to feast my eyes upon the
sacred jewel But that Joy is denied
me and my brother neophytes, and
with the sage l. cry:
II have no words to. speak, mine
eyes are dimmed
by the dark shadows of The
thoughts that rise within my
soul" 49, i -Sakoontala,
But while We mourn and are dolor.
GUS, a ray OF hope enters into our
fainting bosoms. A noble figure.
bathed in the rays of the morning sun.
approaches from the east. His visor
is raised, displaying an open but de-
termined countenance. On his shield
is engraved the name Public"
He is the ancient foe of usurpers
and pretenders. Despots and king
doms have fallen before him, heads
have been cleayed at his behest. i'm
pudence and arrogance have fled be.
fore him. None may Withstand him..
Something there Is which. being not
stable, is jealously guarded by polite
ians. It is the alpha and omega of
their very existence, the objective par
excellence, the chaliee of joys and sor.
rows alike. And this is the ballot. d
There are tragedies, as well as
enacted in the realms OF
politics. Public servants become pub. |
lie imperators, sheriffs are dictators,
humble commissioners triumvirs. The |
glory of the Eternal City pales in that |
of Honolulu. But the shadow of the |
ballot is omnipresent.
Envy cannot endure, nor inefficiency |
long exist, nor disregard of public du-
ties continue. Neither is it ordained |
for men to walk backward like Can |
Ger, the crab, or to tolerate, indefinite |
ly, the burden of incompetency.
History is divided into three great |
epochs, viz, the ancient, medieval and |
modern periods. / do not deem 1t pos. !
sible for the sheriff or the commission |
to set this old world of ours backward. 1