The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1860-08-09

L" complaint from the public, - and answers his
own question by asserting that cit comes from
some persons who are in the practice of import
ing newspapers here fO- sls''-a statement,
which can only be viewed a. intended 70 convey a
false impression, a. he knew there was only one
newzagznr on these islands. Besides him, Mr..
Damon. Mesrs. Castle i Cooke, W. II. John
son, the Bard 0: Education, the Catholic
Mission, the Reading Clubs Of Kauai. Homo
lulu, Lahaina and Makawa5-are all equally
interested in the measure, but not as news
agents" He very well knew that . petition
had been presented from some OF the parties
interested, representing The facts 10 the Repre-
s=uta;.ves and MOBILES. But he had evidently
decrsei that the bill should not pass. Hos
tils 70 the publisher Of this paper, and 70 the
dissemination Of literature. whether gratuirous
or otherwise, he finds an opportunity 20
vent his spleen in this case. however, injuring
no one 50 much az il does the public revenue.
The public have already discerned the mo.ire5
which led y the defeat Of the bill. But Mr..
Gregg. and Mr.. Hopkins also. must have known
that II was optional for nevs-agen-s 70 import
their merchandise stock. he II periodicals, news
papers or books, by mail OF through the custom
house, a. either medium may offer the best facil-
iti=. And that if the postal tax Of $500 a year
on the merchandise now received by mail could
be reduced 70 $50 simply By entering them
through the custom house, the change would
naturally and very soon Dc made. whereby the
government would lose the difference in the reve-
nue.. Or $3.50 q year. All this they must have
known, if they knew anything about the business
which was entrusted TO them but, animated
only By personal animosity, they have both
proved themselves ready and anxious 10 sacrifice
the public interests and the public revenue.
The publisher Of this paper has long been iden-
titled with the prosperity and success Of the post
Office. By the command Of MS late majesty. ne
was authorized in 1880 TO. organize and conduct
it. at merely a nominal salary Of $3.50 = year,
with what success those who have enjoyed It's
privileges. OF who remember the mail facilities Of
1916 to 1850, are best able to judge. Through
out the past ten years il has been his aim and
pride to see It's receipts and business increas-
ing, and success attending the general postal
system, although in no way pecuniarily interest
1t has Away. been optional with him 10 i'm
port papers and books by mail or by CUSTOM
house. And if ne has preferred the mail tacili-
ties. il has been mainly 70 give consequence TO
the postal bureau, and to make it the central and
general source Of foreign intelligence.
The Minister of Finance. however. has by his
acts, shown a desire to make the present postal
regulations oppressive, if he can, and with that
object in view, has caused the defeat Of one Of the
most polite measures brought before the Legisla-
.ure. He, therefore, must bear the consequences
IF his folly, ignorance and malice. y tax Of fifty
DIR cent. was asked 70 be reduced only 10 ttcenty-
fre per cent: and ne and his associates fail To see
he justice Of the request, or that the change
would have resulted 70 the public benefit. Had
he proposed law been passed and gone into ope-
alton, it would undoubtedly have caused, by in
.reasing the importation Of books and papers by
nail, an increase in the revenue Of the post-,fice
# $500 the first year, and perhaps. 81 eco the
ecOnd while now It's defeat will cause 4 loss of
500 OF more i year, which in the course Of
ears may amount % thousands. We cannot
init here u award 70 Messrs. WyllIe. c. R.
and r. Armstrong credit for the noble
nd enlightened views expressed by them, against
he narrow-rlinded Puritanical and Jesuitical
of the opponents Of the bill.
We hare thus presented the facts to the public,
ecause they are deeply interested in this matter
f obtaining foreign Intelligence. The periodical
usiness is not one Of extra profit, a. Mr.. Gregg
sserts, and the whole profit derived from it. does
ct much more than meet the salary Of the clerk
and the other numerous expenses al
attending such business. IL Is wel-known
hat oHe-third of the papers ordered through the
My periodical agency here. are delivered to
early subscribers at or near the cost, and cheaper
nan they could otherwise procure them.
The facts which we have given in regard 10 the
purse Of the Minister Of Finance on this measure,
ford another pnlpable instance Of his unftness
II the Office Of public Treasurer, and We may add
II q seat in the House of Mobiles. II j. not right
polite that 4 man should toe elevated to power,
abuse that power in futile attempts to crafty
IS malice. II il n disgrace 20 any government
hen the law-making power is reposed in the
ands of men who allow their official acts to be
by personal luminosity but when q
.inister Of Finance is found ready and willing TO
the sacred interests of state. and even the
lblic revenue 10 crafty such motives, it furn-
hes, if not a valid ground for impeachment,
oct certainly the strongest argument against
IS capacity for the Office he holds. His official
as developing day by day. only reiter-
e the bold and defiant threat he made in the
ouse of Mobiles ! year ago, which has already
amped his official character throughout this
ngdom
- Let those trho are u~ntciLiHg 10 submit, make
err arrangements for departure, at heir earliest
nrelienee. They can UceH be sP0red.'
he Chamber OF Commerce on Paper Money.
a meeting Of the Chamber of Com
~ III BE-