The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1863-11-12
THE PACIFIC
Commercial Advertiser.
THURSDAY. NOVEMBER 10.

p Il has pleased His Majesty the King TO ap-
point the Hon. Charles Gordon Hopkins to be the
Minister of Finance. We congratulate Mr.. Hopkins
upon the honor conferred and the confidence repOsed
in him by the Sovereign; we congratulate the coun-
try upon the accession 20 the Cabinet of a member
possessed of so thorough and vital q knowledge Of
the condition and wants of the country and whose
political views. often expressed, stamp him rs a sound
and liberal statesman.
With the return Of Mr.. Wyllie to his official duties
In the Foreign Department, and with the appoint
ment of Mr.. Hopkins TO the Financial Department,
the cabinet is now complete as TO numbers. and, we
hope, will now occupy itself with celebrating 4
policy to be laid before the next legislature, 10 still
further develop and preserve national health and
national industry.
To the prudent management of the late Acting
Minister OF Finance, IL. r. II. p. l.. Kamehameha, is
undoubtedly due the present prosperous condition OF
the Treasury and the excellent credit of its bonds.
1t will be, We hope, the pleasant task of Mr.. Hopkins
TO increase this favorable state Of affairs.
NEVER in the political history of this king
dom has there been an announcement of any
government appointment which has fallen with
such a sudden shock on the public ears, as
that conveyed in the above notice. taken from
the POlynesian-neyer one where hopes in the
future progress and prosperity of the islands
were go suddenly drowned by reluctant fears.
In the language of the Earl of Chatham, spoken
eighty years ago, every one could say can
not, my lords, | will not Join in congratulation
on misfortune and disgrace. This, my lords. is
a perilOus and tremendous moment. Ii is not a
time FIR adulation and rejoicing. The smooth
ness Of fattery cannot save us in this crisis
We will not lend our pen to join in the adulation
and ~fattery of the Government organ, when
such language is uttered but speak the truth,
though offending, as did the Earl of Chatham,
his own government.
That there has been n Minister Of Finance
needed here-that the interests of the kingdom
have loudly called for u wise man Of acknowl-
edged fitness and ability, to devise and carry out
plans for the Improvement Of our commerce, our
agriculture and oar mechanics man possessed
of that talent, financial ability and public con
fdence, which point him out as the proper one
70 preside over the treasury dcpartment-has too
long and too keenly been felt in every part Of
the kingdom. For six weary years this want has
been endured.
On the appointment of the late Treasurer, Mr..
Gregg, TO that position, few who knew his quail
f%cations, thought that he was fitted to act as
Minister of Finance. \ brilliant Lawyer, he
was withal a poor fnancier. Yet all such feel
ings were waived, and the incumbent was per-
mitted to prove his capacity or incapacity for
the place. Scarce two years passed before he
came in open collision with the merchants, the
press and the hes: interests of the kingdom, and
through four years, they struggled along, hoping
against hope, till our revenue was reduced, our
credit weakened, and The finances left in a pitt
able plight with a debt of over SI20, 900. And
when, after the voice OF the people was raised
in one unanimous vote against him in the Legis-
lature, he retired from the office, the nation
again brea thed free, and it was felt that no man
agement was for a season better than niSnanage-
nent.
Thus fourteen months have passed without Il
Minister Of Finance, ii. r. II. Prince Lot super
the affairs Of the department as well as
his other duties might allow, until we have the
announcement that the Hon. Charles g.. Hopkins
is appointed 10 that Office. With the incumbent
personally, the public may have no objections
but between that and fitness and ability for the
Office there is a wide distinction. To appoint a
man to sit as Chief Justice and adjudge between
right and wrong, who knows no more of law
than a day laborer, would evoke the Just
Indignation of every good and loyal citizen but
can any less Indignation be excited on the APP
.pointment of 4 gentleman, who, whatever his
qualifications may be for other positions, has
never had the necessary financial experience
or shown the ability to manage the finance
department. We well know that qualified men are
not 50 abundant here as in older countries but
we equally well know that there are men in
every respect fitted and enjoying public conf
dence, who might be induced to preside there.
This appointment is particularly unfortunate,
because it tends 10 create ill-feellng If nothing
worse, between the foreign population and the
Government, which should do no act that
tends to ALLEVIATE the good will of any portion
of the people but on tho other hand. in all its
appointments should aim to strengthen its posi-
by the selection Of the wisest and the best
who are not only qualified for the
duties they have to perform, but are possessed
of such public confidence and standing that they
may 5rin9 to the office hon0r and credit, instead
Of taking these virtues from it. IF men Of in