The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1868-02-29
The Late Elections.

On reading an article in the RuosOa ofFeb. %,
entitled E" Thoughts on Elections it occurred to
us that something Of the kind might be instructive
for foreign az well as native readers for we have
heard remarks made since tine late election BY men
who had been trained up under Anglo-Saxon in
stitutions, which betrayed a deplorable ignorance
Of the first principles of Constitutional Liberty.
1t has taken the English race hundreds of years
to develop thee principles and to embOdy them
successfully in practice, and we cannot be sur
prised that many of the Hawaiians have erroneous
views ON the subject but more might be expected
OF educated men. who know the difference between
a real parliamentary government and a central
lied police despotism.
One principle, which Was too little regarded
not only in Honolulu but in other places during
the late election, was the inyiOlable secrecy of the
ballot. The whole object Of voting by ballot in
stead of rira rOoe is 10 preserre the secrecy Of The
rOtes, 50 as to prevent bribery and intimidation.
Ii is true that a large part of the community are
generally open T~artisans of one side or the other,
and do not desire TO conceal their votes, but the
arrangements should be such rs to absolutely in
sure secrecy to those who desire it. If secrecy is
insured, bribery becomes useless, since hc who
resorts 10 it can have no proof that his money has
not been thrown away An employer should not
be able 10 know how hs servants vote, Nor an Of
tcer bow his soldiers vote. nor a police magistrate
how his eouStables vote. This is particularly i'm
Portant with a people rs EASILY influenced by their
s~upeTiOrs as the Hawaiians. The value of the
secret ballot a. n protection 10 voters was signally
shown by the result Ut the late election ut Wal
mea, Hawaii. Every one knows that the major
ity at that place would hare been the other way,
If tie ballots had been opened a. they were pre-
sentel at toe polls. We need not repeat that it
i a violation Of the law, aEdof the rights Of voters,
ballots - A. q see which side they are for. 1t
also illustrates the whole object Of the ballot to
print tickets on eol0rei paper. or with any dis
tinetive mark on them, which indicates BY what
party they have been issued.
Another point, in regard to which many seem
10 be sadly in the dark, i the proper attitude of
the officers Of the Executive branch Of the Gov
eminent, during an election Of Representatives
by the people. The subject has been referred to
in these columns befJrc. but will bear repetition,
and indeed requires 4. line upon lire and precept
upon prccept.'' IL i only through the election
Of their Representatives that the Commons are
able to take any part IN the government Of their
country, OF 10 exert any influence in regard %
and The Public Expenditures. A. the
and Judicial oficers have already their
share IN the government, they have nothing to do
in a popular election, except ~ lockers on, only
taking care - insure fair play Speaking Of TX
intermeidling in elections, Locke said
- Thus to regulate candidates and electors, and
to new-mDlel the WAYS OF ~elee;ion, what l. it but
TO cut up the government by the roots, and %
poison the very fountains OF public security"
Is the military are under strict discipline. and
therefore, under a strong influence Of the execu-
tive, it i neossary in all free countries. that they
Re not allowed % vote Is military todIes. The
manner IN which the soldiers voted at the recent
election in this city, i of itself sufficient ground
for eontesting the election before the next Legis-
Iatiye Assembly. By the laws Of England ali -ul-
diers qunrteTei in a place, are u Be removed %
the distance ct two mile- Or more. while an cleo
ton y going on Although our standing army
- MT 80 formidable n 10 reader such n p.eCau-
tian nscsasayy, Vet IL members should not be al