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HONOLULU STAR-BULLETIN, THCTSPAY. PEC. 12, 1912.
LETTERS DN TIMELY TOPICS
RILEY H. ALLEN
EDITOR
j Tin itsiAV . . . m:ci:.mi!i:i: i. vm-i
I!' i r, in r tin tiilit si, hair mil in r ' ith tin
hm .st.- .Margin! I'ulli-r.
THE WHIPPING POST ?
si
1
Wlun iin'ii of i lie Hum Ik's Mini to 1 1 1 - whip
lin;r post as a solution for- an i vil confront in;:
llie comimiuit v, it is time for serious consider
. :iti n of tin subject. The ordinary mind recoils
v.ilh horror from the idea of lav in;: tlie lash on
; tin hack of a'ltuniiiii heint: in orih r to enforce
the law, hut lit may he that the crime demands
lli; punishment. At any rate. Honolulu is now
alled ujMin to face the question.
This question is not the question of the feel
ings of the man as he is whipped, nor is it pri
marily the iMTinaneut effect of the whipping on
the individual criminal. The thought of using
iin instrument of physical pain on tin
bare hack of a man is' hideous, hut so is the
thought of shutting a man away from tin; free
air and the blessed sifnshine and the great balm
of initnre; so-is the thought of violently wrench
ing life from its earthly abode and sending the
Mill of ii -treinbliui: wfetch to face the terrors
of the unknown. Alid yet :stK-iety has borne
thse hideous thoughts localise thev constitute
:J williug to 1icar these thoughts and inflict these
i ' -v punishments on offenders as example to deter
IV."" m i l "l
oiueipossiuie onenuers.
TJie question of the Avliipping-post is not the
question of the mail who is punished. One hears
talk indulged iu of "degrading the, feelings'' of
the man who is whipped. That kind of talk is
sentimental rot. It is mushy and hypocritical
moralizing. The man who commits one of these
awfjil crimes has no feelings to degrade. He is
either mentally weak or a brute. He is either a
degenerate or a beast.
-r The real question of a Avliippiiig-post is the
question of its moraleffect on the community
tiivt, its effect on possible of fenders; secondly,
it effect on the gmit majrity of clean-minded
ami sensitivMiiindctl citizens. Will the estab
lshmciit of the whipping post hrutalize the com
j muiiityt Will' its; psychological effect be to
blunt the finer sensibilities of the mind And,
r it .... ...Ill iin ii .i.l i viil4 u1 itiiii'iMi it I'lwu'L'
' ' lieastly crime outweigh the callousing of, the
public heart?
v' It is impossible to -nay now whether or not
vV, the, whipping-post is wise, for the very reception
jf - of. the idea on the part of the community is go
H ?im to def ermine its wisdom. But a discussion
( "O
: of this method of 'stopping inordinate crimes of
the person will settle the question, and the dis
cussion; ought to-Ik? free and frank.
THINK OVER THE RECALL
t
- k
' Professor W. A. Bryan of the College of Ha
waii advanced some very excellent ideas on the
commission or short-ballot form, of government
in a thoughtful address before the Church Club
the other .night, but on one point at least the
Star-Bulletin takes very decided issue with him.
That point is the recall.
Under the plan proposed by Mr. Bryan, a
.twenty-five per centum signature of the voters
would make a recall petition effective. In other
wpnis, twenty-five per cent." of the voters could
demand a mall election for any elective officer
f the municipal government.
v The wisdom of the mall is a little doubtful
here in Honolulu at the beginning of the new
form oX government, if it is begun. The great
est difficulty that the city will have to contend
with is to get capable men, responsible men. men
f known character and proved ability in large
affairs, to come forward as candidates for com
missioners or supervisors or whatever their title
may be under the short-ballot system. There
will le no advancement in civic efficiency if pro
fessional. politicians are to run the city, for pro
fessional politicians will wreck a short-ballot
form of government as quickly as and even more
th. roughly than they do the ordinary municipal
system. ...
Then? is not a capable man in Honolulu who
will put himself at the mercy of a recall move
ment that can Im' made effective bv twentv-five
per cent of the voters, not, certainly, the kind
of cajtildc men that the city needs in its admin
istration. -One of the weaknesses generally rec-
:rnizfd as a Honolulu characteristic is that of
ir.cidoing public movements in an excess of zeal.
The burning of a section of the city years ago is
typical of many less obvious and less purely
physical phenomena since then. And this com
munity characteristic makes the voters of Hono
lulu iasilv tired of one set of officers and quite
ready to stir up public sentiment, turn out the
office-hofclers and install a new set. One shiul
ders to think what would have hapH'iml to the
present board of supervisors under a recall plan
when' tweuty-rtve per cent of. the voters could
bring about a special election.' "Off with tin
old ami on with the new" is the spirit to. fear.
As a matter of fact, the recall for short-term
officers is not always an effective measure even
when the officers are unworthy. Suppose a
commissioner is elected for two yea rounder .Mr.
Bryan's recall plan. The recall petition could
be 'made effective aftr a six months' tenure of
office. The recall election and the special elec
tion to fill the office would consume three or
four months more, and the new commissioner,
if elected, would go into office with but a year
to serve. This argument, it is true, .does not
hold in the case of a long-term official, but .there
seems much doubt as to whether the legislature
will irrant a new charter that will give four-rear
terms to sujervisors or commissioners. , '
The Star-Bulletin believes, as it has stated
once before, when tin? subject, was first
broached, that if any recall plan is adopted, the
percentage of voters uecessary to make a recall
petition effective should 1k Vu large as to leave
absolutely no doubt that something near a ma-
jority of the voters feel that an official is too
unworthy to hold office. That percentage
should be somewhere around fifty per cent. In
particular, while Honolulu is struggling to rid
her government absolutely" of the politician-forT
revenue-only, -there- should lie no discourage
ment put in the way of men to come forward and
offer their services on a non-political basis. An
easy way of getting a recall is going to prove a
hard way of getting worthy candidates.
I.MKPFME('K OF T1IF
SOLDIERS.
WIRELESS ADVANCE
The world grows smaller day by day. Last
night announcement were sent out from the
San Francisco office of the Federal Telegraph
company that the l'oulseu wireless system had
successfully spanned the1; 5,000 miles between
Honolulu and Washington, I). C, the local. sta
tion at Kaneohe talking with the big station at
Vrlington. Ii I lias been but a few weeks since
the Potilsen. system established sure dav com-,
munication 'between 'Honolulu ami San Fran-
cisco, and only a few months before that, the
same company began its present efficient night
communication.
Wohders in trans-ocean communication are
achieved even: dav and the average man or
woman knows and thinks little of it. It is not
too much to predict that within a year there will
be iermauent day communication by wireless
between Honolulu and the capital for the in
terchange of commercial and press message's.
Honolulu is less isolated from the world every
dav. Strictlv sneaking, this city is L',10 miles
from San Francisco, but for most practical pur
poses, the Golden Gate Gity is not as far as the
ocean horizon.
Kditor Honolulu Star-Hulktin.
Sir: I beg that you find pac in
your valued publication to print thin
statement:
I am not a soldier: nor have I been,
but I believe that it is the duty of
ever real American in tht-.-e Islands
to take the part of our soldiers when
attacked by those that are what best
suits to the occasion
The statements made by one of our
pedagogues, that the girls were afraid
to leave the school for fear. of being
mistreated at the hands of our sol
diers is undoubtedly an untruthful
statement, for I am sure that the po
lice records do not show that sob
diers were eVer convicted for a crime
against any, of the girls of the Ka
meharaeha school and no reports have
been made to the commanding officer
at Fort Shafter.
To the people of Honolulu I. would
like to say. that to a man the officers
of the American army are against
such, 'hideous crime, and will not
shield a soldief so charged. Army of
j fk-ers are as a rule from good'fam
; ilies and" have been trained in one of
; the best schools in the world, and
are admitted to the best society.
More girls are ruined through the
criminal- carelessness of their own
parents and guardians than through
any other cause. If some of our teach
ers could broaden-out a little and
v(.ni- out with a lesson to parents on
the care of young girls they might
help the cause a little. I have seen
young girls that should be at home
loafing about Oriental ice cream par
lors and coffee shops for hours, and
when you have been through the Ori
ent and know these people you can
know the risk they take. . 1 would no
more allow a child of mine to loiter
about these damning resorts than I
would allow it to loiter about the
tenderloin-district.
Now let our learned gentlemen that
are trying to make a reputation for
themselves do so; but not at the ex
pense ' the American people or tin
soldiers.
Very respectfullv.
A KEAL AMERICAN'.
LITTLE INTERVIEWS
ALEXANDER YOUNG Shaking
of Mr. Sheahan finding quartz on this
island, isn't the fact that at certain
positions at sea ships cannot "get"
Kahuku by wireless an indication $f
metallic attraction playing hooky with
the traveling electric wave?
W. R. FARRINGTON Woodrow
Wilson in his History of the Ameri
can People quote George Washington
as saying, "Let us raise a standard to
which the wise and the honest can re
pair. The event is in the hands of
God." Seems to me that makes a
pretty good text for the men who are
"striving for municipal efficiency. We
might also add, if our own people do
not raise the standard and make good
someone -else will. .
H. P. WOOD The meeting of the
Chamber of Commerce of the United
States, to which our chamber has ap
pointed Judge Ballou, W. F. Dilling
ham and E. E. Paxtbn aS delegates,
is likely to be one of the most im
portant business- conventions ever
held in the United States. It will no
doubt take up the tariff and other na
tional questions of great importance.
This national chamber is going to.bg
a very strong organization, and the
meeting in January will be the first
one held since It was formed.
PERSONALITIES
CAPT. PARKER, of Kahiilul. is in
the city.
ROBT. HIND.'frotn Kona, is a vis
itor to Honolulu.
MRS. RENJES is expected home
from Germany about Christmas.
GUSTAVE BECKER, hotel pro
prietor at Waiohlnu at Kau, is here
on a business visit.
DR. AND MRS. ROBIXSON- will
shortly leave for their home in lxs
Angeles. They recently returned front
the volcano.
C. H. Brown, of scrap-iron fame",
was taken to the Queen's Hpspital
yesterday and it is thought he may
have to undergo an operation.
GEORGE P, DENISON.' superin
tendent of the Oahti fairway, who for
some time past has been loaned to
the Hilo Railroad Company to direct
its. extension work, is In town.
ONOMEA AND PIONEER
CUT THEIR DIVIDENDS
r 3 $ $ 3 S S S 3
'
ONE THAT HAWAII CAN ILL AFFORD TO LOSE
News of the promotion of Kear-adiniral Wal
ter C. Cowles to the command of the Pacific
fleet, and his consequent departure from Hono
lulu, will he received hv his manv friends here
witlji mingled feelings of pleasure aud regret.
Congratulations are in order over the fact that
Admiral Cowlcs will he aide to fly his flag
afloat, hut his going can not ice other than a dis
tinct loss to the important naval construction
work that is now in progress on Oahu.
Admiral Cowles has had supervision over the
Pearl Ilarhor work almost since its inception.
im i i. . i l .1 1.-
n urn ue i.uue urn- iioiuiui; imh i iiiiiiiin uini- ..je nijent (arry a big life insur
ing had heen started, and he has seen the new ance. you know." she hinted.
naval hase grow and flourish. lie. is in touch
with every detail, and his pronounced adminis
trative ahility has caused, the navy "department
to grant him wide discretionary powers hens'
His departure is a real loss to Hawaii.
Gay equipages and flashing jewel
ry are less telling evidences of true
refinement than some of the. smaller
things that enter into civilized ex
istence. Stationery for home ana per
sonal use for instance. That Hono
lulu society is keeping well up in
the van is evidenced by the fact that
elegant stationery is among the best
selling of holiday goods. This is the
case with the Hawaiian News Com
pany, Ltd. John F. Soper, its vice
president and manager; said this
fmorning:
Business this year has been bet
ter than ever. So far our sales have
exceeded those of a year ao at the
same time. We are having a great
run on the' finest stationery, the
George B. Hurd lines in quarter ream
boxes and boxes of paper and envel
opes together.
"Dennison's colored crepe paper is
also having a big sale. The use of
the two shades of yellow for the mak
ing of leis is becoming quite a fad
amongst the Hawaiians, taking the
place of natural flowers. It is easier
to make leis of the paper, besides be
ing cheaper, and it answers the pur
pose just- as well. We supply it to
the women already cut to proper
width, so that they are saved the
trouble of cutting the stock them
selves. "We have the usual line of leather
goods, consisting of ladies' hand
bags and purses, gentlemen's card
cases and wallets, etc. The line-a-day
diary, a gift book, is considerably
sought this time of year. 'My Trip
Abroad' for notes of journeys is an
elegant book that sells on sight.
"Here is a line of holiday boxes suit
able for packing presents in. 101 dif
ferent shapes and sizes, both in holly
finish and in plain red with 'Merry
Christmas' across the top. Wei have
three timeS the quantity that we had
last year and they are going fasV."
"What good does it do a woman
for a man to be willing to die for
her?" he grumbled.
Onomea is the second sugar
company to cut its dividend for
next year. Nobody think it will be
the last. The Onomea Sugar
Company directors have ler.det
to reduce the dividend from
forty cents to thirty cents a
share, beginning on the fifth of
January.
The difference Is thatvbetween
24 per cent and 18 per cent per
annum,, or one-half of one per
cent per month, on the capital
stock of $1,500,000. "Conittlons
make it necessary," said E.' Fax
on Bishop, president of C. Brew
er & Co., agents of Onomea, yes
terday afternoon. "1 don't think
anybody can kick at the' amount
of reduction."
In point of fact the cut is less
than was expected along the
street.
Although not made public here
tofore, Pioneer Mill Co. was the
first to reduce its dividend for
the ensuing year. Tts directors
decided about a week ago to
make the dividend 20 cents a
month instead of 30 cents. This
is a reduction from 18 per cent
to 12 per cent per annum on the
par value of the stock.
THE ; GIFT
OF GIFTS
History in all ages Wars witness that jewelry
is -(he gift of gifts".
The humhle savage found the same gratifica
tion in a necklace of glass leads as the tjueen of
Sheha in one of exquisite pearls.
This modern age affords articles of. personal
adornment more beautiful than the ancients ever
dreamed of. For the Christinas Holidavs this
store is radiant with its display of choice, ex
quisite gems and articles of gold and silver jew
elry, cut glass, etc., etc.
WICHMAN &i CO.,
Leading Jewelers
Vhen, a young widow faces the par- Just because man'-does thY tfiinia
sor for the second time she Is apt to his. wife, want? him to' da It' no sign
balk at the "honor and obey" clause. that he'a stuck on the position.. T
JL
The Crossroads Bookshop is going
to have a grand window displaylhis
week, decorations for it having come
straight from Chicago. Mr. Banta i
the designer of the show and has been
working on it for several weeks.
Any -schedule for Christmas buying
that does not include books reflects
scant intelligence on its maker. When
books can be had combining elegance
with literary. Interest, and withal at
right prices, there is no excuse for
neglect of holiday buyers in overlook
ing this always appropriate class of
girts.
John D. McGrew, vice president and
manager of the company, said this
morning: "Business is better than
last year, although they say that was
a bumper season. Our big feature is
the illustrated books.
"Recent fiction at 65 cents and Ev
erybody's Library are leaders in the.
cheaper lines. Then there are the
classics in small attractive binding hi
limp leather, and the A. & C. Black's
travel books issued in Ix)ndon."
The House ways and m ans coinmiuee an
nounces action on the sugar tariff for January
l.". This little statement need not worry any
one in Hawaii. The present session of t'ongress
will merely play a little tariff politics for the
henefit of the next session. Were there any like
lihood whatevr that the prcst'iit Congress
wcuhl revise any inipoitant tariff schedule.
President-elect Wilson would have remained
quid oil the UestioU of an extiv session.
Wot
MAN OA Residence Lot 22.500 sq. ft $2250
NUUANU 40.000 sq. feet in the upper, cool part of the valley $1750
OCEAN VIEW Modern Home with all conveniences $8500
ANAPUNI ST. Modern 1'j story house $4500
New Byngalow ; $4850
YOUNG ST. Residence lot. 12981 sq: ft $2,000
PAWAA Modern 1'2 story house $4500
AULD LANE 3-Bedroom House and lot . . $1750
PACIFIC HEIGHTS Choice Home $8000
COLLEGE STREET 3 Bedroom House and 2 Bedroom Cottage $6,000
OCEAN VIEW Several choice lots, also acreage cheap
GUARDIAN TRUST CO., Ltd.
SECOND FLOOR, JUOO BUILDINQ .
HOUSES FOR RENT
FURNISHED
Tantalus $ 40.00
Kalmuki- 43.00
Kahala Beach
$30.00, 73.00
Nuuanu Avenue ; S0.00
Pacific" Heights 100.00
College Hills .... 73,00
Wahfawa 30.00
UNFURNISHED.
Pua Lane ........$ 17.00
Walpio .......... 12.00
Wilder Avenue . . 55.00
Kaimuki 30.00
Ala Moana and
. En a Roads ...I S0.0O
College HIHg. BO.OO
Kalltal ;-...V.-r IS.OO. 15.00
Pawaa Lane' .... 19.00.
Puunul Avenue ..Y 20.00
t r. -. ,..
,. -
Limited : '
Christmas
: Si!
Toilet Ware
..
The daintiest desians on the new. thin model. Each niece
.. 4
; Most, useful and aomething ladies usually' look far. Large
. . ' , ' ' .- ' ' .
Table Ware
We can show you some of the most attractrve palttrnt.
Novelties ' t
Thesa eomprise; Pin Cushions, Writing Pieces, - Vanity
Cases, Sewing Pi$(s, . Etc. . - -'' ; .T
, . .
GOODS AND PRICES WILL BEAR COMPARISON.
i i . I-..--"-
VIEIRA JEWELRY CO.,
LIMITED
113 Hoel Street
Eggs Cost ypul7c A
Dozen
UNLESS YOU RAISE YOUR OWN CHICKENS.
You old kamaaina3. who have lived In Honolulu Tor years,
will remember the box of fresh eggs at Nolte's. This bos
of fresh eggs is from the Bellina ranch. Thirty minutes
from the center of the city, we have a few acres left ad
joining the Bellina ranch, suitable in every way for rais
ing chickens. Surplus eggs are just like money in. the bank.
A very small cash payment will pay for one of these acre
lots. If you are in doubt or if you are skeptical In regard
to the rhicken-raising business in this" locality, Interview
Mr. Williamson of 6th Avenue. In addition ta this acre
property, ve have the following Tosidence property:
We have property for sale in this district as follows:
House and two lots. Palolo Hill $3500.00
House and two lots. Wilhelmina Rise $2500..OO
House and lot, Park Ave., Kaimuki $2600.00
House and lot. Sixth Ave., Kaimuki $2700.00
3 lots. cor. Kaimuki and Eighteenth Ave $1450.00
Claudine Ave. lots $ 400,00
Lot on Palolo Hillside $ 550.00
1450 Kewalo St $6000.00
Henry Waterhotise Trust Co.,
Limited,
w
CORNER FORT AND MERCHANT STREETS
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