The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1866-07-14
The ministerial Crisis.

1t is currently reported that His Excel!ency +.
W. HUTCHINSON resigned the portfolio of Minister
Of the Interior on Tuesday last. The sup
posed reasons are disagreement with the Cabinet
on the Paper Money Bill. and the two defeats
which the Ministry have sustained in the Legis-
lative Assembly during the past two. weeks.
The first defeat was that recorded in our last
issue, when the paper bill was thrown out by
the overwhelming vote of 81 to 3. The second
was the passing of the Ministers salaries at
So. 900, after the Ministerial Committee had
reported strongly in favor of $1,000. No Min
listers. fit to occupy seats ~ such. can retain
Office after so signal defeats, without a total loss of
that respect and confidence which, as public SER
wants, they should enjoy. Either of the above
reasons may have been the cause Of the resig-
nation of DIR. Hutchinson, but what is equally
probable. it may have been the determination
not To be led nor dictated to by the Minis
ter of Finance, as he has dictated to and do
mineered over the Legislature during the en-
tire session.
Wh"tovor may ho thought Of DR.. HutcbisOn's
ability as a Minister, he has certainly shown
himself possessed of that independence nrhich
erery statesman should hare. If the reason that
W Hi' W NSh1NA AS NS' ~ WV 'NSSh
crisis, was the belief that paper currency will
prove DISASTROUS to the nation, the public Will
certainly honor and respect him all the more for
doing 80.
But what shall we say of the scenes and pro-
ceedIngs in the Legislature the past week? The
defeated =. triumvirate have worked hard to
revive their defunct shinpIaster bill. Rumor
says that Sunday last was spent in vain efforts
in its behalf; that on that day ten native mem
bcrs of the Legislature took n ministerial airing,
which had "a most powerful effect. though hap
PLY it failed of the designed result.
On Monday Mr.. KAPPA, of Hilo, moved Il re-
consideration of the vote by which the Paper
Money Bill was indefinitely postponed, although.
according to Legislative rules, no such motion
can be entertained beyond the day following the
vote. The Minister of Finance was 50 blissfully
ignorant of what had transpired on the previous
Sunday. that he coolly asked the gentleman from
IIilo to state the reasons for his motion.
Then came the struggle between the will of
the fIo, and the Will of the nation. Then came
the exhibition of those who were recreant and
false to their trust, and the noble members who
dqred to do their duty.
Twenty-Five had been So piPod on Sunday that
they voted for a reconsideration When the
vote was announced by the worthy Vice Presi-
dent, Hon. c.. Rhodes, an effort was made by
the domineering Finance Minister TO overawe
him. The frmness of the Vice President alone
saved the nation from the most terrible disgrace
and modification.
There were thirty-cight members present.
Our substantial Minister of the Interior, DIR.
Hutchinson, was absent. 1t was a non-prcSence
that was glorious in its results, and the nation
will honor him for it.
On the vote being declared. the Vice President
announced that two-thIrds of the members pres
not having so voted, the motion was lost
that it required twenty-five and one-third to
carry the question. The Minister of Finance
that fractions should not be counted
and that the Vice President should not vote.
S sane man ever doubted the right of the
Vice President to vote. and no man less de-
than the Minister Of Finance would ever
doubt that uuigor fractions Of PIPE count, in Il
nip-and-tuck race.
We hope the Vice President will remember the
rule, that when any bill or subject
has been irdcfaifeiy postponed, IT cannot
he acfed an during the same session.
The Appropriation Bill has passed it's second
and is now being engrossed for final
action, having received all the amendments,
and additions it will get. 1t foots up
a total of 1857, S97 6s-the item of $40, 900
for a Government House having been struck out.
The above sum is at least 800 600 in excess of
the probable receipts of the current two years,
not including cash on hand.
On Wednesday, the item for the funeral ex-
penses of the Princess Victoria was raised to
Sl2,766. Our readers will remember that when
this item was under discussion, some four or five