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

II
in Washington and comment on cur
rent matters Of local and national i'm
| poFtance was brought TO Hawaii yes
/ terday by Robert W. Breckons, attor.
icy and Republican national commit
1 teeman
Mr. Breckons. who has Just returned
from Washington after a prolonged
stay, during which he Witnessed the
croceedings in Congress almost from
| he time il was organized until its
final conclusion on March 4, was In
teryiewed by star-Bulletin reporter
yesterday afternoon. He represented
some Of the liquor interests in Wash.
inzton as well as some other private
interests, but also look a keen inter
est in matters affecting Hawaii gen.
orally.
1l1ome Rule Gains
I'm my opinion" said he. Congress
IS prepared to broaden the powers of
the territorial Legislature In several
'espects, and to sanction almost any
reasonable proposition sayorfng Of
rome rule. Nothing could be done at
the last session, of course, owing to
questions that were, as everybody
knows, of grave Importance How
aver, and particularly should the legis-
lature adopt resolutions along proper
tines, ! 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
MI lrk 81 Hfr.rr
for the election Of a governor may
have some weight, although still
think that will be passed.
Future Possibilities
When It has time, Congress will
also, in my judgment, be ready to give
the legislature the power TO do as It
pleases on both the woman suffrage
and the prohibition questions, that is.
to grant the legislature the power TO-
pass on these questions, or the power
to call q plebiscite to settle them. This
seems to me to be the sentiment Of
many Of the members with whom Il
have conyersed. and certainly is the
sentiment amongst large number Of
the senators. The District Of Column
bia dry bill passed solely because sew
eral OF the senators we're OF the opin-
Ion that Congress had no power to pro
vide for a referendum in the district.
OF course that does not apply to Ha-
wall. On the woman suffrage question
I iInagine those who favor the consti-
tutional amendment and those who
oppose it would vote in favor of leay.
ing the question, insofar as Hawaii Is
concerned. to the people themselves.
Opposition to Land Bill
There will be considerable opposi-
ton to the bill giving Hawaii abso-
lutte power over the public lands, and
a campaign OF education win 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 Of Hawaii were in an en-
tirely different situation from those Of
the mainland iof the United States, In |
that the United States originally Sc
cured them from Hawaii. and perhaps |
when q further hearing b had In
something along this line
may be accomplished.
Against NonResident Appointees
THE bill concerning the Qualifica-l
tons of federal officials--that is, re-
luiring that they should be residents
Of Hawaii-will in my judgment with
IN two years become q law. II is true
indesd that congressman desire pat.
ronage. but they are confronted with
the platforms of the two parties on
this subject, and it seems to me they /
are going 10 favor It. Then, too, some
of the members Of congress are ratherI
In favor Of having patronage takenl
away rom them since If they have a
given candidate for 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
Tery we'll acquainted with the new Ho-
lolulu postmaster, Mr.. McAdam. In
lsmuch as II appeared to be written
Town that we had to take mainland
nan. we are fortunate in securing one
,f the type Of Mr.. McAdam. He IS
luiet ard unassuming. but has had
experience In postal mat
ers, and is quite an organiser. He
viii come to the Honolulu postofficel
It q time when it becomes OF much I
more importance than it has been in
he past, since 1t will be the head Of
ice for all the islands. Mr.. McAdam
8 n very Dleaeanf man to meet social
Y. and aside from the naalihini part I
Il II. / am sure Honolulu people will |
Ike him. He is exceedingly anxious
o make good and to overcome the |
'rejudice against him as a mainland |
tails kuhio7 aukes Story
II was rather amused by a para
raph in one Of the Honolulu papers Il
hat Kuhio had been opposing the con- |
irmation Of Iaukea for secretary. AS
matter of fact. the delegate LAID d
side all personal differences be might
n. a 80 ..r1I II /,