The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1862-04-10
THE PACIFIC
Commercial Advertiser.
APRIL 10.

From all parts of the islands, We are pleased
to hear that the public sentiment is strong in
favor of a ~judieious reduction of the Government
expenses. The amounts received by the other
Islands of this group are small compared with
the amount distributed at the metropolis yet
Notwithstanding an inequality in this respect,
some reduction in the expenses may be gained
even there.
The machinery for collecting our taxes is the
most cumbrous and expensive ever devised, and
the expenses attending their collection consume
a large pr portion of the receipts. If the duty
of tax-collecting could be imposed on some other
officers of the Government, whose labors are not
so onerous as to prevent it, n saving might
be made, and this branch of the fiscal depart
ment greatly simplifed. Where one man can be
found to do the work OF two or three men, doing
it as well and ut half or Une-third the cost, it
would seem proper. under the present state of the
public finances, to make such changes.
The police organization throughout the islands
is a necessary one, which under any condition of
the people or any state Of the finances, must
be maintained So as to fulfill the objects for
which it is established. The duties required are
generally not onerous, watchfulness being the
great requisite in a policeman, high or low. 1t
has been suggested that the collecting Of taxes
might. under the present state of things, be
entrusted to the Sheritfs of the various islands,
making each Sheriff collector general for his
island, TO be assisted by such of the police force
as might be designated. This change, if prac-
ticable. would effect Il great saving to the public
exchequer. The sum allowed in the last aprro-
~Iriation bill for the Jay of ASS essOrs and Tax
Collectors for lSG0-l was S32,0 900, or Sl6,O00
per annum. We doubt not that the present eff
cient Sheriffs would cheerfully fall in with the
proposed changes. and could moreover make the
collections a. promptly, if not more So, than
they have been made the past year-some of the
taxes being still unpaid, though several months
overdue.
In this matter OF assessing and collecting the
taxes, some reform can be made, and We call the
attention of the Ministry and the Representatives
elect 20 il, as one of the easiest modes in which
u reduction Of expenses can be made without i'm
pairing the efficiency Of the public service or in
anywise weakening the Government itself. To
effect it. some changes will be necessary in the
present tax law.
Ii is singular to notice how loud is the public
cry for economy in other countries just at this
time. In France aud America we notice it most.
In the former country it has become 50 great
that the Emperor himself has proposed large
reductions in his own expenses. which will prob
ably he made. In the United States, where war
taxes are a novelty that cannot long be borne
with patience without the s;ric;est economy, the
crv is still louder. In the Boston Bulletin we
notice an appeal, which is a fair sample of
others, and which, as it is not inapplicable to US
just now, we republish
GovERNMEST ECoNoMY-The people are begin
ming TO Look Tor economy at every point where
economy can be safely practlSed by our Govern
IDent. The ripping up of frauds by the Investi-
eating Committees Or Congress is u work well
begun. This, if carried through in the proper
spirit and with a thorough determinations, will
save the Government millions of dollars.
But this is not all the people will demand of their
There must be Observation-Disclosures
thing must be brought down TO meet the exigen-
of the times, and this retrenchment must
at head quarters. The Government must
teach the lesson. not by cutting down the wages
If its operatives only, but by reducing the sala-
RES Ui Its officers.
Let the Senators and Representatives themselves
ct the noble Example by putting their iay back
o where 1t WAS at So per day instead OF S3.OUO
,er wear. Reduce the salaries In our Post OHhces
md our Custom Houses. The country is 10 he
txed heavily 10 pay the immense debt OF the
,rassnt war ler this tax be used for It's legitimate
purpose, not to help support in ld'eneSs ana lux
nv officers, half Of whom hold siascure situa-
iuns.
The country can be as well served and doubt
,ss better by practical men. hundreds and thou
,ods of whom stand ready to-day to nil the
fices in our Post Offices and Custom House ue-
artmentsa ut lar less pay than the ldIe Pohue'ams
r. nn,v hold them. One third. If not one hall.
Z the employees in the Boston Custom House
be discharged to-day without detriment to
he public service. while the salaries OF the TO .