The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1858-06-03
Correspondents Of she Commercial Advertise.

Mr.. EDITOR "a correspondent over the signature
of X. in yours Of the 10th inst. "a great ass, sure, }
wants information" ssBy what authority.,' he
asks. ga government officer, that receives three thou
sand dollars per annum." &c., "accepts the presi-
dency of an incorporated company" SC.
So far as l understand matters and things, the
authority necessary for such a cause is found in COM
mon sense, and a wish to help forward q useful en-
terprise in the community.
am not a government officer, nor have I any re-
lations in that category; but I repudiate the idea that
by taking Office under government a man thereby
alienates his soul and body, as well as all his private
rights; or, that he thus depriyes himself of the right
or privilege of engaging his funds, if he have any,
and a little of his time in enterprises that are calcu-
lated to promote the prosperity of society, while at the
same time they may, possibly, be advantageous, in
dlvidually, to him.
AS your cross correspondent wants information, I
can give him my own opinion on the general subject,
from which l most earnestly hope he may get wis
dom enough not to trouble the public again with his
wheezy insnuations and envious surmises,-which is,
that those members of government who have endeav-
ored to encourage agricultural operations at the ISL
apds. are not to be abused for their enterprises, but
are entitled to the THANKS u community for their
zeal and the encouragement they have odefod, 9add
without which many of the undertakings now in
vogue would not have been prosecuted.
In this connection, I would instance the late Chief
Justice. who for many years was an active participant
in the Lihue Plantation, and without whose counte-
nance and pluck it would never have been sustained
until it became good paying e5n4
ton with that enterprise derogate from his efficiency
as Chief Justice? Nay, verify, even cross will not
have the effrontery to say so. 1t rather proves his
sympathy with the best interests of the islands, and
may possibly put dollars in the pocket of the querist
himself.
His Majesty is another praiseworthy example fthe
same enterprising spirit, who, in order to encourage
enterprise, is ever ready to assist by his name. his in
fuence and his purse, in every feasible way, to in
crease the business of the islands. He has taken
stock in the Flour Company as a private stakeholder.
and is willing and anxious to do the samein the sugar
plantation, purely, as l believe, from the most wor-
thy motives.
His Excellency the Minister of Foreign Relations is
another individual of the anne sort, but for whose
countenance and encouragement q valuable coffee es-
tate would not now be carried on.
There are other government officers who have in
vested their small or large savings in various enter
prises, all for the benefit of the business of the islands,
and for their own too, of course; but for which they
deserve thanks, not censure.
In short, Mr.. Editor, in this community we need
the influence Of all classes, in order to concentrate
and render available the little capital that may be
afoat, and employ it in those business enterprises,
without which we shall be as stagnant as a mill pond;
and l have little patience with such cynical querists
as cross, who evidently attempt to bring individuals
into bad odor for doing, not what is wrong, but for
attempting something for the benefit of all. as well as
themselves.
In regard to rations for prisoners. and public COM
petition for supplies, l have nothing to say. Of
course the government should avail itself of the best
terms it can get, consistently with the quality, and
promptness with which their requirements can be
met. Pho Bono PUBLIco.