Newspaper Page Text
f
THE MAUI NEWS
'S AT URD AY, MARCH 9, 1907
Governor's Message
To Legislature.
((.'ontimieil from hist Usurd.)
N UU AN U DAM.
Thin uiidrrtakitiL' has been t.l vic
tim of misrepresentation and tin- ob
ject of much public censure. Though
not a ureal undertaking, yet it 111 tis
trates splentidly the difference hi
tween private and puh'ic control (if
such an enterprise and t lie dillicul ties
inherent to tha latter.
When any republic undertakes a
war by land or pea, its machinery
concentrates power and authority.
Public opinion under such cireuln
stances will often sustain an act
which under other conditions would
bo considered unconstitutional. And
public opinion does not then tolerate
unjust criticism; it demands facts,
and takes the attitude that unless
the derogatory statements can be
proved those who expressed them
should bo branded as lucking in leyal
ty, if nothing worse. Communities
have learned, at great cost in pro
perty as well as lives, that this is
necessary.
But when a popular government
undertakes a large public work, pub
lic opinion not only to'crates allcriti
cism, just or unjust, but those who
take the lead in such matters are
lojked upon somewhat as public
boncfactoi's, the idea b'.'ing that even
if the accusations are unjust, no
harm can be done to honest arid
eilicient employees. Self governing
communities have yet to learu from
costly experience that good manage
ment and efficiency cannot be bought
for dollars only; such qualities dei
mand additional pay in the shape of
public support, approval and en
couragement in overcoming all ob
stacles and difficulties. Attacks on
the good faith and honesty of public
officials distract their attention, re
quire the double duty of close atten
tion not only to the progress of their
work, but also to its defense, and,
when unwarraDted,-costs thern more
than their salaries. Men of high ca
pacity, who value their reputation
above their pay, resent this treat
ment, and thus it comes abou', that
private enterprises often secure the
best men, whiUs the community in
variably pays for the obstruction and
delay caused by the attacks.
All the questions involved in this
Nuuanu dam deserve your closest
tcrutiny, and thy are of such far
reaching extent, that I request a
special committee be appointed, con
sisting of membors from the outside
districts' to investigate this matter
from a disinterested view-point,
fa'uly and without favor. If oppor
tunity can be found, I deserve to
treat this subject in a separate
Message.
WATER WORKS IN GENERAL.
By reference to the Revised Laws,
you will ascertain that there are
three Chapters (Numbers 45, 4G and
47), which refer specifically to the
Water Works located in Honolulu,
Wailuku and North Kohala. While
appropriations have previously bean
made for the development of Terri
torial water works at several other
locations throughout the Territory,
without further sanction or authority
of law other than those general pro
visions which give the control of
Territorial property to the Supcrin
tendent of Public Works, in all three
of said Chapters, but one sectiou
(Number 565. gives the right of
eminent domain, and that you will
note is exclusively for the benefit of
the Honolulu Water Works' Chap
ter 143, Private Ways and Water
Rights, section 220C, recognizes that
this power exists solely in the Hono
lulu Water Works.
It is eminently unfair that in the
development of a public water service
throughout the Territory, the power
of eminent domain sl.oult! be cot.fined
toY it one island. I therefore sug
gesi'' that proper amendments bt
mad?, extending to the Superinten
dent of Public Works the right of
eminent domain for all water works
under this control in the Territory,
Irrespective of their location.
PUBLIC PARKS.
The rapid development of parks;
of open spaces v. it'a green lawns; of
recreation spots, illustrates a high
degree of culture in our community
and ix deep interest hi the welfare of
those who cannot afford the luxury
of a garden. The recognition is
general of the civic advantages of
such beauty spots. The progress
has been I'D pul, and it is invested
that legislation providing for a gene
ral park system would be opportune.
Jt would facilitate the employment of
experts and widen their held of use
fulness. It would aid in the impor
tation dikI dfstribulion of flowers and
decorative shrubs. At present the
onlv i:u rsi ry maintained in the conii
muiiitv is that- of the Bureau of
For'st i v, which, of course, deals only
willi threes. Such legislation should
aim to stimulate the movement In
all parts ot the Territory.
NOTLEY JUDGEMENT.
Your attention !s called to a ji dg
ineiit granted Mrs. Chatlef. Not ley on
December 2, 1!05, by the Circuit
Court of the First Circuit, for $1,250.
00, against the Territory of Hawaii,
in payment for 1402 square feet of
land fronting on Kukui street, said
to have been taken by the Territory
for street, extension purposes.
The Superintendent of Public
Works states tha'. he has not taken
possession of said property. The
fences have not been moved and, so
far as lie is aware, the property is
still in the possession of Mrs. Notley.
I am of the opinion that, irrespec
tivc ol possession, both the Legisla
tive and Executive branches of the
Government, should respect the mam
dates of the Judiciary. The iudg
msnt should be paid, even if it does
add to the burdens of the taxpayers
and I therefore recommend that the
item be included in the Bill covering
additional appropriations for the pre
sent period.
LOANS.
There are a number of public ira
provements desired, permanent in
their nature, which could be under
taken at an early date if further
loans were negotiated. It may be of
nterest to enumerate those which
have been suggested:
First. A new Adminstration Build
iug, of reinforced concrete, to be
located on the Waikiki side ot the
Judiciary grounds, facing towards
Ewa, in which, conveniently located
for the benefit of the public, would
be those groups of offices which
should be near together. For in
stance: One group consisting of the
Auditor's office and the Treasurer's
office; a seaond group, the Land,
Survey and Recording offices; a third
group, the Public Works office and
the various bureaus under it; and
finally the Educational . Department.
Second. A new building, of rein
forced concrete, to take the place of
the Judiciary building, on the Ewa
side of the present grounds and faci
ing Waikiki, with accommodations
for the three Circuit Court, the Land
Court, a more convenient Law
Library, and the Board of Health.
.Third. A building, similar to the
Archives, bui'ding, on the Ewa side
of the Executive grounds, for the
Supreme Court, thus separating the
work of this Court from all others
and glviug it the facilities and dis
tinction which it deserves.
Fourth. A fund for the purchase
of tho various water rights in Kalihi
Valley, not only to supply the resi
dents located therein, but to secure
for the city tho largest existing
supply of water at a high elevation
now available. The city of Honolulu
consumes approximately 11,000,000
gallons of water every twenty.four
hours. The smallest quantity from
the Pauoa Springs is 717,000 gallons.
The proposed Nuuanu system, when
ever the dam in finished, will furnish
a minimum supply of 5,500,000 gal
lons. Thus if the increased commerce
of the Pacific brings with it a larger
population to Honolulu, the time will
not be far distant when we shall
either have to revert again to the
expensive method of pumping or ex
tend the gravity system.
Fifth. An early completion of the
proposed wharf improvements in
Honolulu not only the double-deck
shed immediately desired for the pre
sunt large freight and passenger
service, but for the dredging and
equipment of the remaining sl.ps, as
well as the building of additional
wharves at Hilo.
Sixth. The erection of a new and
more commodious High School on the
Maertens pioperty opposite Thomas
Square, thus permitting the conver
si. n of the present overcrowded
High School on Emma street into a
grammar school.
Seventh. Improvements of a more
immediate nature to the Honolulu
water system in the shape of a re
servoir of sufficient capacity to sup
ply the present population of Kaimu
ki. The structure now used for this
purpose' is defective and there is
much waste. More capacity will
certainly be needed and a bette
location can be found.
New water mains will bo required
during the coming two years, also
improvements to the ower reservoir
in Nuuanu Valley, in order to regu
late the pressure from the Water im
pounded above the dam, as well as
the installation of oil burning appara
tus in the remaining pumps.
Undoubtedly other suggestions de
sirable imnrovements wili occur to
you.
Our present debt, however, is not
sufficiently secured, in that no pro'
vision has yet been made for its pay
ment. And we cannot proceed to
load down posterity indefinitely. vVe
siioi ld accustom ourselves not only
to the payment of interest out of the
current revenue, but our appropriate
tion bill for every future period
shoulJ carry an item which would
provide for the retirement of n por
tion of the existing debt, which is at
present 13,722,000.00. Some day
such an item will be necessary, and
it is far better to provide for it now,
during our years of comparative pro
giess, rather than to wait until it
becomes a burden because of financial
depression.
Our present average interest rate
on all the outstanding bonds is 41 per
cent., and we are now sending away
from the Islands is payment of in
terest $419.73 for every day in the
year. Uur debt has almost trebled
since annexation, the increase being
2,771,000.00.
It is not improbable that pressure
will be brought to bear on you for a
loan, including items for the con
struction of county and homestead
roads.
To avoid duplication of road maki
ing machinery; of the necessary
force of employees; to prevent con
fusion in the responsibility for con
struction and repairs, I urge upon
you the wisdom of leaving all road
and bridge building work to the care
and initiative of each County. Ex
perience convinces me that economy
wtll be served by such a course.
Extend, if desired, to any County
the provision of the Organic Act- by
which it can issue, under your super-
Vision, lis own bonds lor such pro
gress iu new road building as its
people may desire.
Such a course will avoid all ques
tions of adjustment or proportion be
tween the Counties. If the entire
responsibility for the payment of
both principal and interests upon
each County separately, it is certain
to result in an aggregate less by far
than under any other system.
Further, such a plan will permit
each County to develop itself and
thus carry out the general idea of
county government, as opposed to
paternalism and centralization. There
are those who will say that we can
not yet afford to trust such wide
powers to the Counties, and they
will picture county campaigns of
reckless expenditure, followed by
financial disaster and loss of credit
and reputation. They forget that
no county debt can be created w.tb
out your approval; that Counties
must learn by actual experience,
just as individuals have to learn, and
that until responsbility is placed on
them they cannot gain the experi
ence. The record made by the
Counties so far shows sufficient in
tegrity to warrant trusting them
further in this matter.
PUBLIC LANDS.
Under the faithful management of
tbose intrusted with the admimstra
tion of the public lands of this Terri
tory, there have been opened during
the two years ending December 31,
1906, 296 homesteads, covering an
area of practically 9,267 acres, or au
aveage of 31.3 acres. The total re
venues, other than sales, from public
lands during the two years ending
December 31, 1906, have been $244,
711.71. And the sales during the
same period have amounted to $107,
bsz.Zb. this nas been done at an
operating expense of $29,743 48. It
is interesting to note that the operat
ing expenses for the two years pre
vious were $32,281.39, showing that,
notwithstanding the increased work,
the Department has been operated
with greater ecouomy.
Taking into consideration the great
variety of lands handled and the
many questions involved, there is no
public servant who has greater
difficulties to contend with tnan the
Commissioner of Public Lands. It is
impossible to properly control the
auds and carry out the laws without
incurring opposition, and it is uut
fortunate that this opposition is often
carried so far.
BOARD OF HEALTH.
During the past two years there
have been thirty-nine sporadic cases
of plague, but the effective methods
of the Board of Health have prevent
ed any epidemic. Its careful work
has established such confidence that
no alarm has been caused, nor has it
been found necessary in controlling
this disease to restrict commerce bv
resorting to quarantine.
There is, however, a serious and
well-defined cause for alarm in the
overwhelming prep ndcrance of
deaths from tuberculosis. The re
cords show one hundred and thirteen
deaths from leprosy md thirty-nine
deaths from black plague, a total of
one hundred and fifty-two out of our
entire population, during the above
period. Both of these diseases are
viewed with horror and public opinion
approves large expenditures for
their control and suppression. Yet
from the insidious "white plague" six
hundred and fiftyone deaths occurr
ed during the same period more
than four times as many as from the
other two causes combined, and yet
this causes little or no public com
ment from an ever-vigilant press or
from various public organizations.
It is safe to say that there is more
danger of death from this cause to
the resident or to the tourist in Ho
nolulu than there is from leprosy to
one residing among those confined at
Molokai.
I commend to your particular at
tention th8t portion of the report of
the President of the Board of Health
which relates to our Leper Settle
ment.
It is gratifying to observe the
practical common sense exhibited by
those public servants in direct con
trol of the Settlement and responsible
for the expenditure of the liberal
allowances that have heretofore been
made.
Tho absence of the usual complaints
from the Settlement is so marked as
to almost arouse suspicion. There
has been no sudden increase of ex
penditure per capita, and the only
explanation of the evident satisfac
tion and approval of the inmates is
that they must be due to tho tact
and good judgment shown by the
officials in charge.
The resident physician has shown a
willingness to try all so-called cures,
and has created deep interest in the
use of an emulsion of eucalyptus made
from trees growing at the Settle
ment, reporting considerable Im
provement in a number of cases. He
offers evidence of his good judgment
and practicability in tho suggestion
that tne waste of the slaughter
house be used in the manufacture of
medicated soap for free distribution,
thereby securing the general use of
antiseptics.
President Pinkham's suggestion
for an ice machine and ccld storage
plant is admirable. This would make
the Settlement in a way independent
of the supply of ice by steamer and
furnish it with the requisites for crld
storage, thereby economizing and
saving much material.
It is a pleasure to recommend Im
provements for those who show ap
precialion of what has been done for
them. The cooperation between
patients and officials is constantly
improving, yet there is opportunity
for the adopMon bv the immates of
higher standards in this regard.
Waste could be brough t to a minimum
if those who occasioned it were sub
ject to the condemnation of their
neighbors. Unnessary destruction
or mutilation of property should be
felt as a common loss to ail those in
the settlement.
Toward this end much can be done
by the Legislature in consolidating
all appropi iations for the Settlement,
so that savings, no matter how
made, can be applied by the officials
for other benefits and improvements
Thus economy will be a direct gain to
these public words, rather than
simply proving a saving, by the lapse
of appropriations, to the general
taxpayer.
Let me repeat a former statement
to the effect that this community
will never abandon the care of their
afflicted at Molokai to the Federal
Government so long as our Settle
men i is conaucicu without waste or
extravagance and as long as people
submit to segregation and cooperate
in its enforcement. Resistance not
only creates a sentiment for Federal
control, but often is the worst thing
possible for the one afflicted. To be
hiddeu away, without lutellisren
treatmeut or ordinary comforts,
not an exhibition of love and affection
which a true, unselfish intciest in
the patient should prompt.
ATTORNEY GENERAL.
The change in our "Orgauic Act,'
permitting appeals to the Supreme
Court of the United States, throws
greater work and responsibility upon
the Attorney General. It is, there
fore, nencessary to provide funds,
either to retain an attorney in
Washington, D. C, to represent the
Territory, or to send someone from
here. In either case the cost is said
to bo about the same. I therefore
recommend an appropriation for this
purpose.
In civil cases, all fees are paid ac
cording to a fixed standard, by war
rant from the Auditor on the Trea
surer, upon vouchers approved by
the proper official, a method which
as been fntnul practicable and ac
ceptable. In cr'ininal cases, how
ever, the practice has beer, different.
Appropriations have heretofore been
ir.ade, covering fees and traveling
xpenses of witnesses in criminal
ases. The amounts allowed the wit
esses have varied according to the
disposition of the official, the impor
tance of the witness or his standing
in the community. This has resulted
in distinctions being drawn which
re repugnant, and it gives an oppor
tunity for a favoritism that should
be avoided.
I recommend for your serious con
sideration the fixing by statute of a
standard for fees and mileage of wit
nesses in criminal cases.
JUDICIARY.
This branch of the Government has
one its work in a quiet, dignified
manner. I here have been one or two
cases of misplaced confidence, but as
rule the public has been well and
faithfully served by tho employees of
that department.
A question for your cansideration
will be the compensation, or rather
the method of compensation of court
clerks. At present they are paid a
salary, and are permitted to augment
this by certain fees. It is somctimee
advisable, where the full time of an
ndividual cannot be used, to provide
for a method of compensation by a
system of fees, This is usually a
makeshift- a temporary arranae-
mc nt, for experience has shown that
it is much more satisfactory to have
public servant give hi whole time
and render Ins undivided attention to
is duties. Fees for extra work
emoralize the service and cause dis
content among other employees.
Work supposed to be done out of
hours is soon dor.e in so called spare
time. Rogular work is soon slighted
for the extra; and this is true of both
ubhc and private business. A sys
tem of fees or commissions is bad
practice.
I the efore recommend that all fees
rovided for by any statute, or by
order of any Territorial court, which
accrue to any person drawing pay
nder the Government Salary Bill,
be accounted for and. made a Govern
ment realization.
HIGH SHERIFF.
Section 79 of the Organic Act pro
vides that there shall be a High
Sheriff and Deputies, with the duties
and powers of the former Marshals
of the Republic of Hawaii, except as
modified by that Act.
'Sections 15G2 and 15(13 of the Re
ised Laws set forth the powers of
the High Sheriff and provide for the
appointment of but two deputies.
Among other duties enumerated the
High Sheriff, or his Deputy, must
xecute all lawful precepts or man
dates directed to them by any judge,
and tins duty extends to to all parts
of the Territory.
Economy will be served whenever
the Legislature, by law, authorizes
this official to appoint as many do
puties without pay as he may need.
Thus one could be provided for each
island, saving traveling expenses,
ARCHIVES.
The valuable results of the labors
of the Archives, Commission must be
evident to all, not only from the deep
public interest shown in the archives
themselves, but also from the interest
and pride that have beeu aroused iu
our own history.
Now that the building is completed
and occupied, it may be said that the
work on tho archives has but just
begun. It had been impossible, until
a permanent location was provided
to undertake the final c'assification
and indexing of all this valuable his
torical data. Heretofore the tune
of those occupied in this work has
been only such as they found con
vciuent to give to it from other duties
and it is now desired to put a regula
force on the work. If tins meet
with your approval, increased appro
priations will be necessary.
KONA ORPHANAGE.
A question which you should decide
is whether the Territory has reach
ed that stage in its progress which
will warrant your providiug a public
institution for the eae of children
who are left destitute through the
loss of their parents.
You are aware that there is a
private institution of this nature,
which was established by and has
been fostered through the indefati
gable industry and zeul of cue not a
resident of Hawaii. The Kona Orp
hanage, after seven years of exis
tenee, has progressed and developed
until it now provides for tiftyseven
children, and with the late additions
to tho buildings it has a capacity for
seve.ity five. Its location' in Kona is
favorable. It owns considerable
ground in fee simple. In a communi
cation from its owner and founder she
tates that it is her desire to first
lfl'er this institution to the Territory,
Deluding tho entire area planted to
coffee, its pasture lands, model farm
and all tho buildings, without com
pensation to her and on the solo con
dition that the institution be pre-
petuated and maintained by the Ter
ritory as an orphan nsylum. Thus
hrough this generous offer the op
portunity is presented to the Terri-
tory of establishing an orphan asylum
for simpiy the cost of its conduct.
I therefore recommend the con
sideration of this offer and, if ap
proved, the passage cf an Act creat
ing a Board of Trustees for its man
agement, as well as a suitable ap
propriation for its maintenance.
PUBLIC LIBRARY.
Honolulu has many metropolitan
attributes, but her library facilities
have not kept pace with her general
progress and do not supply the needs
f this community.
This Territory offers a splendid
field for a public library. Isolated
as we are in our island homes, our
community reads much more than is
sual for one its size. The list of
magazine and substantial periodicals
subscribed for and read in Hawaii is
large, when we consider the small
umber who subscribo for them.
Thore has been in existence for
several years a movement which has
for its aim the furnishing of our
school children outside of Honolulu
with books to read. A modern library
as sufficient copies of all standard
works for just such purpose. It aims
to circulate its books as widely as
pos-'ble.
A public spirited citizen some time
go undertook to interest Mr. Car
negie in our situation and induce him
to include this community among the
large list of those that are already
the beneficiaries of his philanthropy.
He failed, for Mr. Carnegie made it
plain that he rarely establishes a
library, but is ever ready to assist in
pbuilding ono. He helps those com
munities tint give evidence of a
determination to help themselves
Whenever the taxpayers of this Ter-
itory maintain a library at public
xper.se, they will put the community
that class which luterests Mr.
Carnegie.
The Territory cf Hawaii owns many
books, and more are constantly being
presented to it. Valuable books
have been found in the dark closets,
u the attics and basements of our
public buildings, food for silver fish
and borers.
Tho private institution known as
the Honolulu Library has in its care
the remnants of tho orgina! Royal
Library, later known as the Govern
ment Library.
We teach every child in the Terri
tory to read, for thus we give him
the capacity to broaden his horizon
and acquire knowledge. We do not
do our full duty to the young Ha-
wanan if we fail to put at his disposal
the books through which knowledge
can bo gained. It is said that, with
the exceptiou of David Malo. the
Hawaiian people have never produced
an author. This is true, and it is also
true that David Malo wrote only in
his own language. Since then the
Ilawaiians have boon mastering a
new mode of expression. This they
have accdmplished. and now thou
should have every facility to enter
and explore any field cf mental ac
tivity which the vast array of EngUsh
writers have stored up in books;
Today the youth in our midst, he with
a slight interest in science, in art, in
literature, in history, in political
economy, has little opportunity to
follow up whatever inclination he
may have or to develop knowledge
which he could with great advantage
put to use among his neighbors. Ta
illustrate: Take one small field, that
of political and civic development, a
subject which commands the deep
interest or our electorate, a library
could furuish books showing tho
practical advantage to be gained
through civic activity, -the high stau
Jards necessary for such ends. Think
of the good that could be accomplish-
led by such books. Tho subject needs
