Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1917-07-02
MONDAY ............... JULY 2, 1917.
Their Opportunity

Every new administration comes into ONCE with
an unusual OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES new city ad-
ministration Is no exception.
In fact, Mayor Fern and the new board OF super
risors have the greatest opportunity for effective,
telling constructive work that has been offered any
yet OF city officials since local sefgovernment was
established, more than decade ago.
For the first time board has been elected on non
partisan votes.
The independent vote has figured largely in other
ELECTIONS but it never demonstrated itself with such
power as on June when it elected to the board
Ave Republicans and two Democrats and defeated
two Republican and I've Democrats,
Non.partisan voting did this OF course not all
or even majority Of the votes cast were by men ad
herring to neither party. But the deciding votes
the votes that placed two Democrats on the board
With i've Republicans the votes of men cast
ing their ballots not for party candidates but for
candidates they felt could best deliver the goods for
ancient city government.
What does this mean now? -
II means that the new board goes into Office free
to make appointments and pass appropriations on
the basis of efficiency and not politics The present
board owes little to party organizations. 1t owes
everything to the city at large. To serve either
party organisation first and the city second would
be gross betrayal Of trust and the Star Bulletin
does not size up the new board an one that will be-
Tray trust -
The party organizations have already been too
active for their own good since the election. If they
try TO run the city, through the beard it will wreck
TIE board and wreck the next two years of admin
'stfation.
On the other hand, if the new board makes the
record which it should make every member will be
reelected two years from now. Nothing in Homo.
0Iu can defeat them. For they viii have given such
Is administration that the sound principal OF non
01rtisanship in local government will have advanc
q 100 per cent, and the majority Of voters viii be
Independent of the party whip.
Habit in politics Il az hard to shake of as habit
Is business, society, eating and drinking The habit
81 listening to the parry politicians is dnicult to
break Perhaps it may seem to some Of the new
supervisors that party examinations represent the
I|.. II<I % ~. r.1I. the people in Homo
'...l ADd NAalH.'s O q. sote at the last cleo.
- tie counsels Of the.party politicians are not
wise counsels for the new supervisors Better, far
|e|icr to act with independent Judgment better to
|rdy, listen weigh all sides and then act as con-
.II1nce dictates.
Courage and Judgment courage to shake of the
tcthes Of politics, Judgment to choose the right
.61rse Tor oneself win carry the board on the
'.1troad, over all petty barriers. The Star Bulle
Tia speaks for many thousands Of Honolulans In
6ling that there d today great hope that the
board win cut loose from the political habit Of the
.It and welcome the habit of the future efficiency
Itrrice to the city first.
This Il q board that can do ii.
The city will watch very carefully to zee who, II
any. begins factionalism, who stoops to pettiness
.I6 Is 1 nageer, who is not BIG enough for the Job
All have been elected on the theory that they have
.le ability and experience to DO real service to-
their city.
That means work, not squabbles