The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1860-10-11
THE PACIFIC
Commercial Advertiser.
CTOBE l1.

THJRSD4 OCTOBER IL.
The last issue of the government index conveys
to its readers the valedictory of CHARLES c..
HoPKINs, Esd, late Director and Editor of the
Government Press, whose resignation was accept
ed at the last session of the Privy Council on the
lst inst. That office had been held by Mr.. ii.
1--;-s ,L~ r-st G'o years, or since the retirement
of E. D. Hall, Esq, in 1855. OF his general
official course during his incumbency, we should
have had nothing to say after his retirement from
the post, or at least nothing more than such
passing notice rs courtesy calls for, had he not in
his remarks taken particular pains to call out the
Commercial, and endeavOr TO fasten Oh it, with
the last strokes of his official pen, that odium
which is enjoyed by the Government Press alone,
and at the same time appeared anxious to have
it understood that his resignation has been the
result of the efforts of this paper. lie says
1 presume it is hardly necessary for me to say,
while the discussions in the Houses Of Legislature
upon the Government Press are still fresh in the
memory OF all who take IN interest in such matters,
that my resignation was based purely upon financial
considerations. The duties Of the Editor Of the Poly
Hesian under the restrictions of the last Appropria-
ton Bill will require great perseverance, unremitting
attendance to his multifarious duties, and n large
share of physical endurance. The scope afforded him
is limited to 800 q year for assistance. Whatever
is done he must do himself, except in so far as the
sum just mentioned will relieve him, but that being
exhausted he must emphatically be the alpha and
omega q his office. Any one taking the trouble to
run over in his own mind what is now required of n
newspaper, and remembering that the PoiyHeSidR
must either compete with its contemporary in the
furnishing of all kinds of intelligence, whether politi-
cal, commercial, agricultural, marine or local, or
otherwise throw up the sponge, will acquit me, /
think, Of too much mOdesty when | took the ground
that the duties of Editor had assumed a bulk entirely
beyond my pretensions. Of the writing of articles
do not speak-habit makes that n matter Of no great
difficulty, more especially when there is anything 10
write about. But besides his duties proper, the Edi-
tor will have foIsted upon him the bookkeeping, and
the making out Of accounts, and, what is worse in
these dull times, the collecting of the same,-these
plodding occupations will make no small inroad into
the time of my successor. In fact l confess myself to
have been fairly frightened off the field by II mere
array of difficulties which | dared not approach, be-
cause | knew 1 could not overcome them, but that on
the contrary, after a futile attempt, | should be
obliged to withdraw, with diScredit 10 myself aud
those who kept me in command.
If the late Editor of the PoiyHesi0H has been
.. fairly frightened off the field it has been
brought about more By public sentiment than
any efforts of this paper. 1t is true we have
warmly against a waste of money in
that department., and held that the press, if con-
Quoted at all, should only be conducted on the
strictest economy. But 50 far from cur efforts
proving of any avail, the last Legislature voted a
larger sum (S23 ,2OO) for its support, than had
before been voted to it. If we have contend
ed that the Office Of Director of the Government
Press, should not be held rs a sinecure, we have
lone SO from principle, because it Is not right for
poor government to allow sinecures, especially
it is in debt for the means of its support.
our position on this subject, will apply to
and every other department of the admins
ration. No man has u right TO draw one dollar
IF the public funds ercPf FIR ralge rcooircd: and
{ he is unwilling to render the service demanded
n his Office. he is bound to throw up his place.
The late editor further states, "If it can
of any satisfaction TO those who put their
reads together TO undo the PoLgHesiaH, | am
willing to confess, before the first blow is struck, ,
| think it very likely their Vaccinations
will succeed" Those who put their heads to-
,ether,' and call for a change in tine basis Of the
public pres, are none other. than tie public. 1t .
5 the public who are interested in the principles
involved in the sustenance of the public press,
md though we had well nigh given up the strife 4
n battling for the change, VI will still hope that ,
wiser cOunsels may one day prevail. and that this i
asst relic of barbarism-the issue of Il government i
'ohtcGi sheet. with no other purpose than to il
oment discOrd and political strifes among us a
nay be removed. and give place tn free. honest n
MI independent journalism. IA