The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1862-06-26
THE PACIFIC
Commercial Advertiser.
THURSDAY, JUNE &c.

THERE have been rumors current during tn,
past few weeks of proposed changes in tn,
cabinet and iq the judiciary department. W
have regarded them not altogether without foun
dation, and the sums called for in the appropriation
bill to meet certain salaries, indicate that som'
changes are desired and contemplated. We arr
not among those who believe that every mar
should be retained in office for the term of his
natural life much less that an officer should be
retained when it has been made evident that he
is unqualified for the service required of him.
On the other hand, We contend that frequent
changes promote the health and efficiency of the
body polite. By changes we do not mean that
every incumbent should be dismissed from office,
every two or four years but rather that COM
petent men, who have discharged with credit
positions assigned to them, and are an honor
to their country, should be rewarded with pro-
motion, while incompetent men, who serve for
no object but to draw pay, should be superseded.
" Rotation in Office, as it exists in the United
States, serving mainly for party rewards, is I'M
questionablJ in; arious but rotation as it exists
in Russia, England or France, where merit re-
ceives promotion, and incompeteDcy meets prompt
dismissal, tends to strengthen and consolidate a
government.
Governments are established for the common
good, or, as the Constitution well defines, " for
the protection safety, prosperity and happiness
of the people, and not for the profit, honor, or
private interest of any one man, family, or class
of men," Consequently, in the appointment of
officers of any grade or class. competency, j. e.
ability to promote the greatest good of the peo-
pie, should outweigh all other considerations
Tho foot that m ,DpI;oapt - ~, mood Of Soma
employment, should be no argument for his
engagement by the government, if he is not fully
competent for the required service, no more than
in any private business.
In former years the Hawaiian Government
labored under many disadvantages in obtaining
officers, and was compelled of necessity to accept
the services of such as could be had, who
sometimes proved incompetent and faithless to
its interests. But each year is effecting a change
in this respect, and rendering it less difficult to
select men to fill public offices, who are qualified
for the service entrusted to them. Among the
chief qualifications in foreigners, and one which
ought TO be placed next to that of high moral
integrity, is a thorough knoicledge Of the Ha,oaii.
an tongue. The time has come when it ought
to be deemed q necessary qualification in every
new appointment. high or low, that the appli-
cant be versed with the vernacular. Considering
that he is employed to serve for the most part
the interests of the native race, he should be
to converse with all, chiefs or natives.
with whom he comes in contact, that he may
hear and understand their complaints, or impart
to them such instruction or advice as they NAV
The cardinal aim with our rulers
should be the improvement and happiness of the
cfSn4 ,aao ~
ment in our nation, for whose preservation and
welfare our legislation should chiefly aim, and
our government is established. The foreign ele-
ment, as compared with the natives, is as yet q
handful in numbers.
With these observations, we return to the SUBJ
alluded to at the outset-a reconstruction of
the ministry. 1t is unquestionablv the province
OF a newspaper to discuss any matters that con-
Germ the public as deeply as does the question
who or what men shall administer che govern
ment under the sovereign. While it is recognize
ed that the King has the sole election of such
advisers as may please him. yet in the choice of
hem the popular will should have great weight,
IS it does in England, France and other monarch
ical governments, for the appointment of men to
'fice obnoxious to the people is a hazardous mat
a. ~ htuSNOl " lCSo tuuu d republic, rests |
IN the good will and loyalty of the people, and
ne is the wisest and most skillful ruler who most
closely observes the current of popular favor.
Many have wondered how Louis Napoleon has
'etained mis- seat for twelve years undisturbed by
he revolutionary elements of France over which
lie has ruled. But here is the key-his keen
of the popular will. A Minister of
ends the people by political sins of omission or
commission. The Emperor sees it, and ere the
current of dissatisfaction has reached its height.
lie yields, and receives the popular applause.
The rumored changes in the cabinet, may be
My hearsay but if we are not mistaken, the
withdrawal of the Ministers of Foreign Relations
nd Finance has been proposed. Mr.. Wyllie
as been now in the service of the government
bout IL years, having been appointed in 1S45.
)uring all that time he has held tie Office he
ow retains-that of Minister of Foreign Rela-
ions. With all impartial, unbiased men, there
an be no difference of opinion that his labors
ave been of great service to this government,
nd that he has done more than any other man,
Mess it be DIR. Judd, to place this nation in a
osition to command the respect of foreign gov
.nments. Possessed of extensive mercantile and
numerical knowledge, and an acquaintance with
IA VI hiSh ceahNhHS oHo oAe hi IN
of the world, he was able to bring to the
rvice of Kamehameha III. qualities which few {
,joyed and which have aided greatly in giving 1
our country a name and consequence abroad. J
bile we believe that Mr.. willie has been reli- '
ously faithful to the trusts reposed in him by
Re two Sovereigns he has served, all his official t
It's can never meet full approval, and there are ]
,obably some which even he, with the expert t
ice and observation since acquired, might great
modify or would wish to see rescinded. He v
Is now expressed n wish to be relieved of the /
of state and retire to his plantation at 7