The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1863-12-31
THE PACIFIC
Commercial Advertiser.
THURSDAY. DECEMBER 81.

Y. DECEMBER 81.
IL our review of the ministerial appointments
last week, we left off with the notice of the
Minister of Finance.
Hardly less surprising was the disappointment
of His Excellency r. c. WYLLIE as Minister of
Foreign Affairs. In former administrations the
presence of Mr.. Wyllie in the Ministry was con-
sidered by some a necessity, and that without
him the ~four-wheeled state coach must travel on
three wheels, liable to be upset with the first
jolting. That notion has happily become obso-
lete, and more confidence has been expressed
and felt in the ability of the nation to produce
its own administrative officers. What twenty
or even ten years ago may have been a necessity,
now no longer exists. Under these circum-
stances, it was generally believed that His Excel
lency would embrace the opportunity of retiring
from the service of the government with n fame
which any statesman might envy. And this
belief was strengthened by the circumstance that
his private business was of such a nature as to
interfere with the proper administration of his
duties and excite distrust in him as a pub
lie officer and also by the fact that he has repeat
eddy expressed a desire to be relieved. Although
it is difficult to point out anything for which
he deserves special credit, unless it be the war
department, yet it must be admitted that the
nation has advanced in character and position
during the term of his incumbeney. No better
time was ever afforded to a statesman to retire
crowned with honors than was offered to him on
the demise of the late King.
Added TO this there was another equally pO-
tent Eeason for his retirement. He is almost the
only existing representative of a policy that is
now fast becoming obsolete-the theory that the
awaiia Government cannot exist without en-
plOying aliens, and by aliens We mean those who
have not become thoroughly identified with the
Hawaiian people-strangers, ignorant of our
language and wants To be more explicit on
this point, let us say, there are two policies .
which have become the leading ideas in Hawaii
an politics
lst.-That it is necessary in the administra-
ton of this government to introduce a ruling
foreign or alien element, and that that element
must be increased and strengthened as the chief
means of maintaining the standing of the Ha-
waiian nation.
2d.-That Hawaiians are of themselves capa-
BILE of administering the government, so as to
inspire confidence at home and command respect
abroad.
Between there two ideas. is the present clash
in Hawaiian politics. Mr.. Wyllie is supposed
to be the embodiment of the former. which, as
We said, is becoming a vestige of the past.
When, therefore, it was rumored that to him
had been assigned the task of remoddling the
Ministry of the present Sovereign, it was hoped
that he would yield his peculiar notions, and,
by the selection of n Hardiianieed Ministry,
usher in the new reign with an administration
that would command the welcome support of all
classes, chiefs and commoners, foreign and native
born. But the PRONUNCIATION of a Ministry, in
which the old idea continues to predominant.
with himself at the head, throws distrust and
anxiety among every class and leaves little hope
for any political peace during its existence. 1t
shows, moreover, that he lacks the judgment
which a statesman should possess to discern the
progressive spirit of the times, and it would
have been better for him and for the nation
had he retired when the favorable moment
arrived.
The advancement of the Attorney-General to
a seat in the Cabinet Council is 4 merited testi-
monial to the abilities of that officer. We should
not have been surprised to have seen Mr.. Harris
retained in the Ministry, for which he possesses
many qualifications But the fact that he has
proved u vigilant officer in the position he holds,
and has done good service to the government
there, has probably led to his continuance in
the same place, where the compensation is only
half that of a Minister, and less than it should
be. To show that his services in his present
place have been valuable, We may state that
during the two years he has held Office, he has
saved to the government about fourteen thousand
dollars set down in its accounts as lost.
The connection of the Acknowledgement with
the Cabinet, as also that of the Chancellor, |
1.-THE latter formerly a member of that body,)
is probably intended merely as advisory. The
in their own departments are supposed
to be the best judges of the capabilities and
merits of those appointed under them, and to
their judgments in their plans and appointments,
the others can offer no great objections.
The cause of the increase in the number of
of the Cabinet is not clear, unless it
be intended virtually to set aside the Privy
Council of State, which is far from desirable.
late years, or since the death of kauixeaouli,
the Cabinet has been the acting body, and the
Privy Council virtually ignored, assembling per-
haps once or twice a year. Whether this system
is still to be continued remains to be seen.
PERsoSAL-in an interview the past week with
n 49, Ill e