Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1917-03-20
Home RULE FOR
HAWAII ADVANCES
Robert w. Breckons, Home
From Washington. Talks on
important Legislation

Il ~ Il j .s,
Latest news on Hawaii legislation
in Washington and comment on cur
rent matters Of local and national i'm
/ portance was brought 70 Hawaii yes
terday by Robert W. Breckons, attor.
ney and Republican national commit
4 teeman g.. n -. ~
Mr. Breckons, who has just returned
from Washington after a prolonged
stay, during which he Witnessed the
Proceedings in Congress almost from
the time 1t was organized until its
final conclusion on March 4, was In
teryiewed by a Star Bulletin reporter
yesterday afternoon. He represented
some OF the liquor interests in Wash
| ington as well-As some other private
interests, but also look a keen inter.
est in matters affecting Hawaii gem
orally. ~.'-..- g
Home Rule" Gains e =.
In my opinion, = said be, Congress
s. prepared to broaden the powers OF
the territorial legislature in several
respects, and to sanction almost any
reasonable proposition: savoring Of
home rule. Nothing could be done at
the last session, OF course, owing to
questions that were, as everybody
knows, Of grave Importance. How
ever, and particularly should the legis-
lature adopt resolutions along proper
lines, believe the time is not far dis
tant when our powers will be broad
ened preparatory to putting us on pro,
baton for statehood. OF course local
opposition Of the Chamber Of Com
merce to bill like the one providing
for the election Of a governor may
have some weight, although ] still
think that will be passed.
Future Possibilities
When 1t has time, Congress win
the legislature the power to do as II
pleases on both the woman suffrage
and the prohibition questions. that is.
to grant the legislature the power toi
pass on these questions, or the power
TO call plebiscite to settle them. This
seems to me 70 be the sentiment of /
many Of the members with whom II
have eonyersed, aud certainly Is the |
sentiment amongst large. number OF !
the senators. The District of Column
bia dry blu passed solely because sew,
eral OF the senators were Of the opin- |
ion that Congress had no power to pro
vide for referendum in the district. /
or course that does not apply to Ha.f
wall On the woman suffrage question:
imagine those who favor the constti
tutional amendment and those who
oppose 1t would vote In favor Of leay-t
ing the question. insofar as Hawaii is
concerned, to the people. themselves.
Opposition TO Land Bin
'sThere viii be considerable opposi
ton to the. bill giving Hawaii abso-
lutte power over the public lands. and
4 campsign or education will be neces-
sary before anything can be accom-
plished along this line. The proposed
LEGISLATION seems to the average con-
gresham tc be TOO great q departure
from the public land system Of the
United States. We tried to point out
to he committee the fact that the
public lands or Hawaii were IN an en-
tirely 1iffefent situation from those Of
tho mainandtpf the United States, int
that the United States originally Sc
cured them from Hawaii, and perhaps
when further hearing Is had in
WASHINGTON something along this line
may be accomplished.
Against Non Resident AppoiHtees
The blll concerning the qualffica-
tons Of federal offlcials-that is, re-l
qufring that they should be residents
Of Hawaii-will in uay Judgment with
II two years became q law. 1t is true
Indesd that congressman desire pat.
ronage, but they are confronted with |
the platforms OF the two parties on
this subject. ami it seems to me they
are going to favor it. Then, too, some |
of the members of congress are rather
In favor Of having patronage taken
away rom them since II they have
given candidate for q Job and fail to
secure his appointment, the fault is
usually attributed to them.
Praises New Postmaster
Speaking of mainland appoint
nents, ] had the pleasure Of becoming
Fery well acquainted with the new Ho-
iolnlu postmaster. Mr.. McAdam- In
lsmueh as II appeared to be written
Town that we had to take q mainland
nan, we are fortunate In securing one
)f the type of Mr.. McAdam. He, is
luiet and unassuming. but has had
considerable experience IN postal mat
exs. and is quite an organizer. He
sill come to the Honolulu postoffice II
i time when II becomes of much ,
more Importance than 1t has been IN
he past, since it viii be the head Of /
ice for all the islands. Mr.. McAdam i
S very pleasant man to meet social ]
y, and aside from the malihini part Il
II it, i am sure Honolulu people will I
Ike him. He is exceedingly anxious d
o make good and to overcome the
'rejudice against him as mainland, '
tails Kphio-iaukea Story IL
Il was rather amused by para b
,raph in one of the Honolulu papers v
hat Kuhio had been opposing the con- I
lrmation of Iaukea for secretary. AS !
matter OF fact, the delegate laid Il
side all personal differences he might lie
ave had with Iaukea. and not only In
ia not oppose liis confirmation. but I
ndeavored to secure II. Day after Ic
ay, while in the delegates office, I +
card him make inquiry as to the