Polynesian., 1855-04-21

tor, IN my opinion, laws ought not to be changed
without great deliberation and the most weighty
reasons. Too much legislation and a frequent
change of law serious evils, which should be
studiously avoided, especially among people in
such chrysalIs state as this.
FIRST, | would call your attention to those
evils which threaten speedy destruction to the Ha-
waian race. Such licentiousness drunken
ness, and the transportation of men out of the
kingdom to die on foreign shores. These are
great and increasing evils and such as directly as
sail the national existence. Our Young women are
Hooking In crowds to our sea-ports TO CRAFTY the
lust OF the centlous, and returning to the country
to spread disease and DEATH The veneEeal de-
stroys Its hundreds of victims every year. fDrunk-
enness is also at work, and prostrates not few
In Honolulu during the last year it has been fear
tul, and II has extended to class it never reached
before-the staid, sober, middle class, who have
been, and still are, the hope of the natiOn Added
to these losses Is that of our young men, who 60
TO sea IN ships and never return being left desi-
tute IN foreign countries to die of want and neglect
Every year we are diminishing in numbers, every
day we are wasting away, and breathing shorter
and fainter. The history Of the past teaches Us
the events Of the future and If will not read and
heed Its lessons, nothing can avert our impending
destruction. Ispeak plainly on the subject because
feel deeply feel that the truth should be known,
and the nation aroused to the Importance of preser-
wing lJS own existence. i ne nrSt great duty OF
every nation is that of sef-preservation and when
ever its existence is assaed, the whole force and
wisdom of the social body should be brought into
action for its defense.
We now come to the question, what measures
can we take in self defense, what remedy can we
devise for these evils? These are questions hard
to answer, and it is with great difdence that ven
ture to suggest any remedy; but some measures
must be taken, and those right speedily.
A. H f,r fha
centousness, would respectfully suggest wheiI-
er 1t would not be wise,
j. TO establish one more hospitals for the
cure of the veneredl and other diseases prevalent
among the natives.
= To pass an act to prevent our Young girls
from deserving their homes and visiting Lahaina
and Honolulu for purposes Of prostitution and CIV
ing the projects of police pOwer-to arrest and send
them back, upon the order of the police justices.
If law Of this kind can be devised, which will be
simple and practical, 1t would doubtless be great
blessing. | have heretofore been of the opinion
that such act could not be framed without inter
fering too much with the freedom Of the subject
but L see plainly that crisis has arrived which
threatens the life OF the nation, and demands stern
action. 1t Is urged with much force that the evil
Is vital one, and should receive prompt, active
and, if necessary, severe treatment. The circum-
stances of this people entirely different from
those of gland, France, the United States and
other more civilized countries, and what would be
deemed harsh and severe IN those countries, might
be just and reasonable here. The Justification of
such stringent measures is to be found in the neces
sty for selt-preservation.
This subject has been repeatedly laid before the
House of Mobiles by MIR. Wylie, and though do
not agree with him in his plan of action, yet he is
right in theory, and his act is worthy of serious
consideration.
3. The passage of an act vesting in the Judges
of the courts of record, upon due inquiry the pow
er TO compel the return of wives who desert their
husbands, and resort to Lahaina and Honolulu for
evil purposes.
There has been great complaint on this subject
for years past, and the governors and native juSt-
ces have frequently compelled the return of these
falthless wives, in accordance with ancient usage,
though they have power to do so under the laws.
In connection with this subject, think it proper
to suggest that steps should be taken to sup
press the practice Of native qulcks who style them
selves doctors, and as am informed upon good
authority, make practice of causing abortions,
producing barrenness, and destroying nearly all
who fall in their hands They killed hundreds dur
ing the prevalence of the small pox.
What shall be done to diminish intempeTance, !
am at a loss to say. The number of natives fined
for drunkenness in Honolulu during the last year,
has increased from ll3 to 6S6. This fearful in
crease has arisen from variety of causes, among
which are the increase of small beer shops, the
greater facility of procuring spirituous liquors By
natives, and the effect of evil examples in high
places. | have consulted with the police Justice
marshal, prefect of police, district attorney, and
others OF this island, the subject and they agree
IN recommending the prohibition of che sale of
small beer, and all like drinks, to natives, under
the same penalty imposed for the selling or furnish
ing of sPirituous liquors to natives. This beer is
drugged with pOisOns of every sort, and nothing
could be more injurious to the native than its use
All will agree, even those who sell spirituous IL
quors that it is wicked and ruinous to furnish it to
Hawaiians. The laws prohibiting the sale'of spir-
Its to natives, regret TO say, are not rigidy en-
forced, and not only the chiefs bat common natives
procure sprituous liquors without the least trouble.
To remedy the loss afising from leaving our
seamen on foreign shores, would recommend the
passage of law more effectuay to provide for the
prosecution of the bonds given for return. As
things now, the bonds are little better than
nullity, for they are never prosecuted.
Again, / am satisfied upon the best authority,
that our seamen are often imposed upon in the mat
ter of wages and otherwise, and 1t Is in they
seek redress. They have not the intelligence of
the foreigner to know their rights, or his frmness
and ObstInacy to maintain them and hence they are
sometimes abused and cheated without mercy. As
a remedy, would suggest the proprlety OF prohib /
iting the shipping of native on board of any
vessel, unless they are shipped before the Harbor
Master, or Collector of the port, providing also,
that the shipping articles shall be in the Hawaiian
language, and further, that the seamen shall be
settled with, and discharged by, such haFbor mas
ter or collector. know that such an act would be
open to some objections, but think II could De so
framed as to be fair to all parties concerned, and
at the same time protect the reamen.
In addition to the above matters, allow me TO
suggest for your consideration, the propriety Of
amending our laws relating to the trespass of cat
lie, and the impounding of estrays. Both are very
faulty and the latter quite impractcabe, and hence
tbay ,ra tho canse of much and very aunovInp lit