The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1856-10-16

Mr.. EDIroR:-Tn the Polynesian of the 4th inst.
the editor of that paper exults in the belief that ''even
teetOtalism is relinquished as the only qualification
that adorhs a minister of the Crown &c.
With a simple denial that 9 teetotalism' was ever
the sc only qualification that was required, or actu-
ally adorned" His late Majesty's ministers, | beg
to state as a locker on of matters and things at the
Islands for several years past, that 1 consider the
present want of that virtue in high places most dis
astrous to all the Interests, personal and public, en-
trusted to those unworthy hands.
And l must further state my honest belief, that il
those who are reprOached by the government editor
with the virtue Tin his estimation, vice. of ~teetotaI-
ism, had remained still in Office, we should witness at
the present moment a much more desirable and re-
spectacle, not to say responsible state of things than
now unfortunately exists. 1 do not believe the Treas
ury would now be empty, and government employees
be obliged to blush at their inability to pay their lit
tie quarterly bills here and there, because there is no
money in the treasury.
And [ further believe that if sc teetotali.m'' had
been the practice and precept of minister's, His late
Majesty would now be the reigning Sovereign the
Minister of the Interior transacting his own business,
for which he gets full pay, without doing a thing
and His present Majesty would have been saved the
disgrace OF making Il boon companion Of n once con-
Wet, who came to Il violent and disgraceful end Ey
his own hand IN the Vigilance Committee rooms in
San Francisco.
Idraw these differences, Mr.. Editor, from the re-
ports of the Minister of Finance in former years,
when there was always money in the treasury to pay
employees, notwithstanding as much public work was
then done as now, and quite as much to the purpose.
Another reason is, that it is well known in this COM
munity that the results followed the causes to which
L have alluded, and cannot be g~ainsayed by the Editor
Of the PolyResian, or any body else ; and 1 hold that
ministers are responsible for them, because they
boldly proclaim the doctrine that to take q little is q
good thing, when they knew, or should have known,
that it was certain destruction to those to whom they
commend by precept and example, the insidious
tempter.
l regret to see the ministerial organ pursue the
course it does in regard to those important elements
of Society," which lie ut the foundation Of good order
and prosperity, private and national. 1t holds moral
lty, religion, and temperance in contempt, and has
already Disguised so many of the old supporters Of
the. establishment, Us to oblige them to withdraw from
all countenance of it, and the consequence will, of
course, follow.
In conclusion 1 will only say, that I have heard
many business men latterly say that they longed for
the old times again, when the men whom the Editor
of the POIynesiaR impudently impugns, conducted
the affairs of the Kingdom in o manner to secure
public prosperity and its credit at home and abroad.
EXCHEQUER BILLS.