The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1862-01-09
THE PACIFIC
Commercial Advertiser.
THURSDAY. January Q.


all good citizens are bound to acquiesce. Re-
ports have not. of course, been received from all
the islands, but it is fair to presume that the
House will be composed of at least as intelligent
a body of representatives as the last, and proba-
bly, an increased number of foreigners.
The time and place of meeting of the National
Legislature is left to the option of the King, by
the Amended Constitution, Sec. 81, which reads
as follows:
"rhe Legislative body shall assemble bienniany for the pur-
pose % seeking The welfare Of the Nation, at such time and in
be styled the Legislature % the Hawaiian Islands,"
1t has been customary to convene it in April
or May, and the probability is that it will be
called together this year during May. The time
that intervenes is sufficient to discuss and
thoroughly ~ventilate the principal questions that
may come up for action ct the coming ses-
sion. Among these may be named the follow
ing, as of more or less Importance, in the light
they may be viewed, and the mode that it may
be proposed to amend or alter them
The proposed Amendments Of the Constitution.
Reduction Of the Expenses Of the Government.
Reduction OF Duties on Foreign Commerce.
Repeal OF the Prostitute Act
There may be other measures brought up for
the action of the Legislature, making changes in
the present mode of administration of some of
the departments, which experience or expediency
suggest. The great work, however, ut the COM
ing session, will be to cause, by new and special
enactmentso or otherwise, such q reduction of the
expenditures of the government, as may bring
them within the current income, and per-
NIT some reduction of the public debt. The
Ministers have proved to the satisfaction of the
people that they are not disposed to initiate any
decided policy of economy and retrenchment.
1t is true that there was some little noise made
awhile ago about proposed retrenchments, but
it ended in smoke. Two or three heads were cut
of, but they were such small items that it really
made no material check in the public expendi-
lures.
The belief is strong and general, and no doubt
rests on good grounds, that the time has come
for a decided change in the Ministry change
in its policy and its personnel, and that no per-
manent good can be effected, till such change is
made. We have reasons for believing that a re-
construction, which would inspire more confidence
in the administration of the finances, and, indeed,
&. .he whole internal administration oftho govern
ment, that would draw around it the sympathy
and reliance of the whole people, would be hail
ed by the King, the Chiefs and the people, both
foreign and native, as n blessed harbinger of
returning prosperity, the only anchor of hope to
stay our drifting into the quicksands of national
bankruptcy. Nothing can be more depressing
or harrassing to a people than for it to be left
laboring under the burden of increasing debt
and financial difficulties, when there exists no
necessity for it. Distrust and uncertainty mark
every mans plans and calculations for the future.
With a firm and prudent Treasurer,-one who
merits and could command the respect of the
public-the health Of the body polite might be
restored, and the nation enter again on n career
of industrial prosperity and financial stability,
which it once enjoyed, but, alas, has ceased to
possess. a tr Il of nearly four years, has demon
strated the fact too palpably to be mistaken, that
the present Minister of Finance is not qualified
for the position he holds. We have no personal
prejudices against the gentleman, who now holds
the portfolio of the Treasury Department, nor
do We believe that such exist, in the community.
But regarding his qualifications for the Office of
Treasurer-regardiDg his administrative ability
to properly fill that position, there is a unanim-
ity of sentiment among our population, that he
is utterly unqualified for it. No Minister has
ever had q better opportunity to display true
ability than the past four years have afforded in
this kingdom, and none ever more signally failed
TO meet public expectations than our present
of Finance. lie found the Treasury in
1853 in funds and in a prosperous condition;
we see it now empty, and embarrassed he found
il free of debt We see it now burdeped with a
heavy load he found our revenue from imposts
and increasing we see it now annually
and so reduced, that it is a serious
question whether the whole revenue system and
cannot be dispensed with: he
iound our foreign commerce hourishing; we see
( dwindled to q moity of what it was he found
Is engaged in public works throughout the
,rOup; we now see all public improvements sus-
,ended, with no prospect of Immediate renewal.
"a short, we are reduced to national beggary and
want. Such is a true picture of the past and
present. \ change becomes an imperious neces-
ity, therefore, which the public voice will sus-
ain with one ~acclamation. Public interests are
90 sacred to be sacrificed to private claims, and
We believe that our King, who is ever seeking to
the welfare of his people, has al
eady seen that a change can be productive only
the highest good, and has become a necessity.
We speak with the more confidence on this
question, because it is believed that
10 difficulty would be experienced in the selec-
ion of a successor, fully qualified to re-inspire
'ublic confidence in the administration of this !
ranch Of the public service, on the proper man
cement of which our national prosperity in so
reat a measure depends. Either Mr.. William e
Webster or Mr.. Charles r. Bishop would soon
estore public confidence, in the financial de- 1
artment of the government, though the work of
the revenue and expenditure would {
equire the united cooperation of the Ministry. /
Turning next to the Department of the In a
srior, a change there would work equally well '
IT the public. While we hold the utmost re-
pect for His Royal HIghness Prince Lot, We i
elieve that the interests of this people demand t
its chiefs and princes keep aloof from the d
city every day disputes and wrangles of politics, b
nd assume a higher sphere, where they may v