The Line-Up For Top Job

In American Samoa

From Felise Va'a in Apia

This year will go down in history books as one of the most important in American Samoa for it is the year when the people of the territory will elect for the first time their own governor and lieutenant-governor.

The elections in November have already been approved by the peo ple in a plebiscite, by the legislature and now by the United States Con gress. And the Interior Department has sent a top-rate administrator and former governor of the terri tory. Rex Lee. to be the territory’s last Washington-appointed gover nor.

For a time, there was speculation that Frank Barnett, the Republican governor who succeeded Earl Ruth might be the last governor since there was not much time left before the elections. But Washington thought otherwise. The Democratic Administration appointed Rex Lee to take over the post for the three crucial months before the elections.

Lee has denied he is here for the purpose of supervising the guber natorial elections. And he is quite right in this.

But most probably. Washington wanted its last governor to be the best one possible in every way. but especially in promoting United States interests at this cruical period. The governor Washington wanted was one who could rally the people of American Samoa around the US flag, so that there is no danger of breaking away from the United States.

Lee's vast experience in federal administration is intended to ensure that there will be as little trouble as possible in the transition period.

He was governor of American Samoa from 1961 to 1967. perhaps the longest term ever had by any governor in the territory. During his term, the United States began to show for the first time that it really cared about the territory.

Millions of dollars were spent to upgrade government services which included a modern airport, sealed roads, many new buildings, and the educational and community televi sion system. Lee also showed he was

talented in being able to get along with the Samoans.

He was loved by the majority, especially for the jobs he created for them, and many considered him the best governor Samoa ever had.

While Lee is busy trying to straighten out administrative prob lems. campaigning has already started with a number of candidates already announced.

On one ticket is former governor.

Samoan Peter Coleman, and his run ning mate Tufele Li’a. On another is the present Delegate at Large in Washington Lutali A.P. and Senator Fofo Sunia.

On yet another is the former Delegate at Large, Senator Fui maono Asuemu and his running mate Senator Lutu Tenari.

Also, several other persons like Mr Lagarejos and Papu Siofele have

announced their intention to run for I governor.

Campaigning has just started and it is expected to be in full swing bv September and early October.

Right now, it may be a bit pre-1 mature to predict the eventual win ner but certainly it is very likely that I the top candidates will be Peter Col eman. Lutali A. P. and Fuimaono Asuemu.

They are all men of wide ex perience in government and civic affairs, have proved themselves as capable political leaders and, moreover, were very successful in the past.

The importance of the Number Two man can hardly be over emphasised. A strong candidate for governor may have dim chances ot winning if his Number Two is not at tractive to the voters.

But it could also be said that much of the voting will be along partisan and family lines.

Whatever happens, after the elec tions in November. American Samoa is going to have its own elected governor and lieutenant governor. This will have important effects on the future administration of the territory.

Though the Interior Department will still be the boss, American Sa moan politics will move nearer maturity.

American Samoa’s decision to elect its own governor and lieute nant-governor is also a sure sign that American Samoa is aligning herself more firmly with the United Stales.

Front-runner Peter Coleman