The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1866-01-06

$780, 1900 80 -C'
q. Rhodes. received votes.
4. e HeucE. received. "
Piaetasa Wood, received. -. ..........IiG "
Komoikeehuehu, received. .-..........92 votes.
:. \. Castle. received "
Kanihina. received.
Mr.. Castles name was used without his
knowledge or consent, and it is fair TO presume
that all the others honored with q defeat were in
the same category. BE that as it may, we have
the astounding fact to announce that the city Of
Honolulu, the metropolis of the Hawaiian King
dom, is now represented by persons chosen by
OSE HUNDRED AND FoRTY-sIx VOTES
The city and district of Honolulu contained,
according to the last census, taken in 1860, q
population of 1870, Of whom 9,707 were over
30 years of age. OF that number about 5000
were males. The number of males assessed to
pay taxes in 1861 was 3 $50, and at the cleo
ton in january, 1862, which was the most
spirited ever held, 2,9G2 votes were registered
and cast. The number of persons entitled to
vote january l, 1866, under the new Constitu-
ton, was only SOC. while the number assessed To
pay poll-tax in 1865 was 1884, and in 1864
3,0S2. These figures DO not include soldiers,
fremen, preachers, schoOl-teachers &C., which
would swell the poll-tax list to 4 1000.
Here, then, We have the facts, and from them
can deduce the practical working of the present
Constitution. Honolulu, with a population of
1870, polls as its highest vote for Representa-
tive l4G, or about one ballot for each hundred
inhabitants, and we have every reason to believe
that fOur-ffths of the above votes We're deposited
by soldiers, policemen, or other employees of
Government. Can such an election be 4 fair
exposition of the free Will Of the people? Is it
not rather Il disgrace to any country in which it
takes place? is it not as perfect Il farce Us was
ever enacted We do not wish to tarnish in
one iota the fame of any who may aspire to see
the title Of " NJ. p" attached u their names
but we must say that there can be no honor in
representing such Il constituency as went to the
polls on Monday last, and who knew no will but
that of those who sent them thither.
This, however, is the natural operation of the
new Constitution. which curtails the franchise
privileges to such 4 degree that it is really en-
joycd only by a few Government officials and
rich persons. \ more unequal and unjust law
was never devised than the present ~constitu-
tiOnal law regarding the iranchise-unjust be-
cause it dcgrGdes the poor man to the level Of 4
slave aye, below that Of Il slave, for it taxes
him and then deprives him of a right to vote,
while the slave is not allowed to vote, and on
that account is not taxed. 1t dcgrades the poor
man, white or black, for it makes him feel it a
curse to be poor, and that he is practically out
lawed.
Our Constitution and laws should be mod
eled so as to elevate the poor man, especially
where laborers are So much in demand as they
are here. The spirit of our Constitution, in a
new and growing country like this, should be
to improve the condition of the poor, and in
spire him with the feeling that he is Il man and
not 4 brute. 1t should offer him the ballot, and
say to him, " Come share in making the laws
which are enacted for your benefit and protec-
ton. and take an interest in the administration
of the Government which you are taxed an
nually TO support" POVERTY, with a white
man or u black man. should never be n bar TO
the franchise privilege, particularly in a coun-
try like this, where the aborigines were all poor,
where they have achieved in a halfcentury what
no other people has done, and where they are
now striving. as heaven knows, to rise and be-
come men, despite the grinding tyranny of our
Constitution and ministry.
We hold it as Il fundamental axiom of civil
polity, that no man should be taxed who is
deprived of his vote. And every Hawaiian
subject, who is taxed TO support the govern
ment, whether he be poor or rich, should have
the privilege of voting for representatives to
the Legislature, provided he is not tainted with
crime. The ministerial advocates of the present
Constitution, who are responsible for the re-
stricted franchise. bear no sympathy for the
poor man and the laborer. To exclude them
from all share in the making Of laws has been
their chief object. They brought with them
from Europe the aristocratic notions which
they have imposed on this people, and now
prevent them from all participation in the
government, because they are poor. Their
unjust experiment has succeeded 80 well that
out of Il population Of over 1900, only about
200 votes are polled. Were our ministry in
with any love Of the people or any noble
ness of soul, they would strive to remove such
an ~unrighteous law.
Now We ask our readers 70 contrast the
present state of things with what it was under
the old Constitution. Admitting that that
instrument was not perfect. was it not far
to the present? Did it not inspire
the Hawaiian, without distinction IF color or .
condition, with the feeling that he was a MAN