The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1866-07-21
The Legislative Assembly.

The Legislative proceedings this week possess
considerable interest, though it is evident that
Political matters aro 1. growing snaII ny degrees
and beautifully less" Several days, last week
and this, have been taken up with the subiec. of
increasing the pay of the representatives, There
can he no question that they should be compen-
stated in full for their services, no matter how
long they may be required to sit, and the old
rate of pay-three dollars per days as little as
any competent person can be expected to serve
for. Including to-day, the Representatives have
been in session scventy-fve days, and have re-
ceived each $3.50 and a crane badge. Though
frequent motions have been made by them to FIX
a day of adjournment, they were coolly told last
week by Minister Harris that they had nothing
to say in the matter. and when it pleased the
King to dismiss them, he would do so. Such
language may do for chivalric bravado, but it
can only create ill-feeling towards the Govern
ment.
The discussion on the increase of pay of Rep
sentatives, shows the faults and unfairness of the
Constitution. The members do not appear to
understand how the evil is to be remedied, and
that tie only proper way is to petition for a new
Constitution, which ought to he done before they
adjourn. They begin now to see the injustice
of its operation.
We see the salaries of Ministers increased a
thousand dollars a year, or to Sl3 20 per diem,
Sundays included and those of some other Off
GERS in like proportion but the pay of Repre-
sentatives, who leave their business and incur
various heavy expenses, must be restricted to
one dollar and a fraction per diem. Such incon-
sistency is a disgrace to any Government, and
can only serve to make US contemplate in the
eyes of all sensible people.
After discussing the resolution to increase the
pay of each Representative 20 500. and finding
it unconstitutional, the Representatives moved to
expunge the record Of the proceedings from the
Assembly journal, and forbid it, publication.
This the Vice President told them could not be
done, as the House had already voted to the Ad-
rerfiser the privilege of reporting the proceedings
rs full rs desired.
The Appropriation Bill has been signed by
the King. and will be published by us next week.
1t foots up a total of SS5S.S97 6S. The money
in the Treasury Will now pass into circulation as
rapidly as it may be called for.
On Thursday of last week Minister Harris
gave notice of a bill to authorize two loans.
amounting in all to Sl1o, 900. OF which 500. 900
is for the contemplated water-works and Govern
ment warehouses. That new and enlarged Wa
ter-works are needed, there can be no doubt
but Of the ~propriety Of authorizing n loan of
sixty thousand dollars for that purpose and for
warehouses, when there is a surplus in the
Treasury, is very doubtful. \ Government, like
every business man, should aim at keeping out
Of d,bt, and never borrow money unless it be
absolutely necessary. Neither of these loans are
needed, unless it he 10 Proride for The increased
salaries, which increase was made with the dis
tinct avowal that there was abundance of means
in tho Treasury to meet it.
If we cannot get along without borrowing
fifty or a hundred thousand dollars a wear, the
next Legislature must cut down the expenses to
the old figures. The Government is not going
to realize the same increase in its income the
next two years that it did during the previous.
The course of trade clearly indicates Il reaction
as about to set in, and economy must be prac-
ticed by it. The reckless policy now bcir: