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Territorial elections can’t be just called off by agreement of the Republicans and Democrats. To drop general elections, as has been suggested, would require an amendment to the Hawaiian organic act, by congress.
Even military law does not supersede the authority of congress over elections.
A territorial official pointed out today that "it is necessary to have an election, to elect members to the house of representatives and certain of the senators who are not ‘holdovers.’"
"Without their being duly elected as provided in the organic act, no session of the legislature could be held."
It was further pointed out that the legislature must meet to provide territorial tax laws to furnish funds to the treasury by which the business of the territory could be conducted.
Most city-county elective officials agree with City-County Clerk Ernest N. Heen’s proposal to eliminate the election next fall because of war conditions, but the incumbents add they should be held over in office "for the duration." …
Treasurer David L. Conkling said: "Heen knows. We do not need an election. Many years ago office holders served four years. Why not again?"
Mr. Conkling who, with Clerk Heen, holds records for landslide support by voters on many previous elections, added that "at a time like this we should not change horses in midstream."
"It would take newcomers two years to get acquainted with their duties — that is if incumbents were unseated in an election," he continued. "We’re getting along all right."
Sheriff Duke Kahanamoku believed the incumbents should continue in office.
"Then when the war is pau, we’ll start all over again," he says.
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Every Sunday, “Back in the Day” looks at an article that ran on this date in the Honolulu Star-Bulletin. The items are verbatim, so don’t blame us today for yesteryear’s bad grammar.
