The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1862-08-28

! some that the election of the Oahu delegation
] on purely religious Issues, might hinder the pass
] age of useful laws but on the contrary, none
Z have conducted with more disinterestedness or
7 sought with more cordiality the enactment of
] every wholesome measure than the delegation
! referred to.
If for no other reason, the representatives de-
serve the thanks of the country for passing a bill
] of supplies which will be met by the ordi-
! nary income of the treasury. The reform which
has been effected at this session will be more
apparent if we contrast it with former years.
! The amount voted for each of the two coming
! years is S244 900, whereas the average voted by
the Legislature during the past eight years for
each year has been nearly $500, 900. This
change has been effected only by the firm deter
mination of the lower House to bring the bill
j within the estimated receipts.
There never has been a body of Representa-
tives which have returned home from their work
with more credit than those of this session. 1t
is customary for some to cry down and traduce
them without real cause. and tine Polynesian,
and its echo the Pdkipikd, have sought during
the past few weeks to cast disrepute on them. but
this is to be expected of journals conducted by
foreigners who have not any real sympathy with
the people among whom they live. The Repre-
sentatives may rest assured their acts will meet
popular approval and bear the test of time,
which is the truest of all judges. They had a
difficult task before them, when they undertook to
bring the ministry to a sense Of its responsibility
especially a minister who is said to have de-
clared that no efforts TO straighten him or
remove him could be successful. The task be-
came the more difficult on account of there being
no precedent to guide them in the matter, and
whatever was the result of their action was to
become a precedent for all future time.
The great lesson taught by this Legislature is
the RESPONSIBILITY OF MINISTERS TO THE Pro
PIE. This has for centuries been the practice
and rule in England and in most other countries,
where the ministry retire the moment they cease
to obey or coincide with the people, who are in
reality the source of their power, though ap-
pointed by the Sovereign. But heretofore no
1ule has prevailed here, owing doubtless to the
fact that our system of government has hardly
become developed. If the responsibility of pub
lie officers to the representatives of the people
has been demonstrated and established by this /
sessions work, it is worth all and more than it
has cost. Not merely Ministers, but judges and
all other officers must now bear in mind that
tiiey are ulTeCty dCcOuntaDle To the people, rs IN 3
other monarchical governments, for their Off !
cial conduct. The result will be beneficial in
excluding from public service men of question !
able character and ability, and in securing up !
right, Industrious and capable public officers. I
If this result follows the action of the Represen- {
~tatives, all must concede that they have done a :
good work, and that this body is one of the bull I
warks of Hawaiian Freedom. s
Z There appears to be a necessity for an increase 8
in the number of Mobiles. Owing to death, or 1
other nanses tha nnmhnr nf Nnhlas GENERAL y 8
present during the late session has not been 3
more than ten. An old proverb says that in E
a multitude of councillors there is wisdom :
a truism that applies most forcibly to this Z
legislative body. As it now is, the number 5
is so slim that it is often difficult to gather a &
quorum, and when there is one, the attendance 5
Is so small that the tendency is towards indeco- 5
rum and disorder, while the members are not apt 3
to feel the necessity of preserving the dignity I
belonging to them, arising from the paucity of 3
members. This has been a topic of frequent s
remark by visitors there, and we are sure it is S
by His Majesty the King and by the Mobiles &
themselves. We are aware that the material 4
from which new Mobiles can be made is very 3
sparse, but still the best that the nation affords g
should be taken. Such men as G.. w. Lilikalani 81
IF Kauai, S. Kipi of Hilo, W. H. Kaauwai of b
Maui, Nj. kuaea of Oahu, and perhaps others 5
equally qualified among the natives, would be an 8
acquisition to the House Of Mobiles, and tend to 8
cement and strengthen the government, giving 8
wisdom to its legislation and from among for b
DR.. g.. p. Judd, G.. NJ. Robertson, f. 0. M
Hall and VIM. Webster. We feel that His "A
Majesty can in no other way so readily promote 81
he real welfare of his people, as by the appoint q
nent of intelligent natives and foreigners to be g
d