Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1922-09-08
IMPRESSIONS ON HAwAIIANS
ISLAND.

lSGAlND.
The following was written by Mrs.
George Mellon, formerly Miss Kath-
erin Dickinson, of Castlewood, sister
of Mrs. A. S. Higginbotham. Taken
from the Johnson City Staff.
After short stay in the Hawaiian
Islands, have been trying to gather
up and mentally catalogue, as it
were. my impressions.
| arrived last February just ut the
beginning of very exciting political
campaign-the special election, for
Delegate TO Congress to succeed the
late Prince Kuhio.
think my first impression was
one of surprise at finding the people
here so intensely American. We Of
the mainland, as n rule, look upon
Hawaii us foreign country. The
average person probably thinks that
the United States exercises sort of
protcctorate over the Islands, as
but comparatively few seem to know
that they are Territory of the Unit
ed States, eligible some day for
statehood
The local form of government is
similar to that Of state. The men,
bers of the House and Senate are
elected by the people. The Governor,
Secretary and Attorney General, how
ever, are appointed by the President
in Washington, as are also the
Judges, both Federal and Territorial,
and of course all other federal oflic-
ers.
The law requires that the Cover
nor and Territorial Judges be resi-
dents of Hawaii. No specifications
are made as to the other appoint
ments but thew are generally given
to local men. President Harding has
made himself exceedingly popular by
giving the islands complete "home
rule" in this respect.
They have one representative in
Washington-a delegate elected by
the people He has no vote but sits
in the House of Representatives and
is supposed to look after the interests
of the islands in all matters of legis-
lation. If the words "and Territories"
are not added to legislation provid-
ing for federal aid to States (such
us roads, schools etc. Hawaii is left
out-which seems hardly fair when
she shares federal taxes equally with
the states.
So, since it is matter of great
Importance that their Representative
in Washington be very keen and
active man, the race for Delegate
ship is one of unusual interest.
The Hawaiians arc natural born
| politicians, both the men and the
women-full of oratory and ready to
/ burst INTO speech on any occasion.
Political meetings are held out in
A thn nnnn hara mud lnrrra a,I;a,, a.,
is always assured. There is never O
dearth of speakers-frequent eight
4 or ten i'll an evening-Amcricans Ha.
\ waiian, Chinest, Portuguese, ant
4 Filipinos-I don't recall having hcart
n Japanese speaker altho they com
pose the greater part of the popula
4 ton. 1t is frequently said that the,
havd planned not to show thei
4 strength until they are sufficient,
l| organized to gain control. This, how
ever. is denied by their leaders ant
the best elements of all nationalitie.
endeavor to allay rather than arous,
race feeling here.
\ A very interesting feature of tn,
i| campaigns is the soap box orntory
n certain corner OH one of the down
II town streets is reserved for this ant
\ is in constant use during the cam
paign. FRY speeches from both par
ties and in all tongues can be heart
i there almost any hour of the day
\ The gathered audience taking an nc
4 tive part by keeping up constan
i fire of questions. At times, thing
weightier than words are hurled, bu
whatever damage done is accepted n
4 part of the joys of the game.
Il The last night before the election
is gala occasion.
n Each candidate has band stand il
II Aala Park; every effort being mad
by each to attract the largest Grove
Az thn nlnctinn in March thor