The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1870-07-02

uu1D hNCg SNNA oAob ~ Soe VIZ e"e
have we one instance of imprisonment, agains
the hundreds of commitments Of laborers TIL
master has neUer been deprived Of has liberty
= We can hardly hope to come to any agree
ment with the gentleman as to the policy o.
the law; since he assumes the whole argument
in bis favor at the outset. But as to the con
stitutionaI argument, he evidently labors under q
confusion of ideas. The constitutionality of
law and its justice or injustice are not necessarily
identical questions. What the Constitution
simply forbids or prohibits is unconstitutional
whether it be right or wrong in the abstract OF
in practice.
The gentleman says that if the Masters and
Servants law is repealed sugar interests at these
islands are doomed. We cannot believe that
this follows necessarily, but even if it were 80,
will he claim that a gross abuse of the many
should be perpetuated for the benefit of the few?
The argument in relation to the necessity, i'm
~perative, that the planter should have such con-
troll of his hands as to compel labor at certain
seasons, was the one always urged by the Louisi-
ana planter in the days of the 8 peculiar institu-
ton" 1t, however, loses much of its force when
we consider that the Louisiana planter had to
combat climatic changes which our planters never
experience. Much stress is laid upon the state
ment that plantation hands are better fed enjoy
ing better health and are better off in every way
than the natives off plantations. 1t is urged
that labor is scarce and every effort is made
to inducethe natives to work but in spite of
the superior advantages enjoyed by the plantation
hands the natives in the kuaaina districts prefer to
remain a {. poor, miserable, scabdy set y and allow
SO incidence, hunger, and filth to work their
speedy ruin. There is a glaring inconsistency in
this which we cannot reconcile. We can hardly
credit the evidence when we read over the sigma
ture of any gentleman of Mr.. Alexander's expe-
rience, that Hawaiian liberty has degenerated
into license. Where are the evidences? If the
natives have any failing in their duty as citizens,
it is the profound apathy and Indifference ordina-
rily manifested as to political questions of the
highest moment to themselves. The world may
be challenged to produce a parallel to the peace
able, L1Io-G6iding character Of this people. We
may well question the mental and moral vision of
a man who can see license in the manner in which
the people of this country have submitted to the
laws relating to labor.
What have Hawaiians done that " men of re-
Fiction " should come . to the conclusion that if
anything this people have too much liberty 20
That, if anything, the master should be given
more power? The jubilant and over confident
Southern master shouted g cotton is king -
shall we prepare to shout " sugar is king and
trample on human rights to maintain it? Every
man in this kingdom, native or alien, should
promptly meet this issue. "To be forewarned is
TO be forearmed.' rs.
We believe the Masters and Servants Law
oI-,Lnos tha i,oliaoohln S1bfs 80 N l,rro ,,,ooo,
ton of His Majesty g subjects that its provisions
are not equitable and believe with a distinguished
author SO that nothing but evil can arise from in
regulations and . that no good can
come Of violating mems rights" By the use of
power and patronage, it is evident that the pres
emit Assembly will be thwarted in its efforts to
modify the law but we find comfort in the
that reforms do not mature SO slowly as
in the past. In this age of steam and electricity,
years are as months and il behooves us all to
meet the issue involved in a patriotic spirit, and
decide it on principles of justice and humanity.
Legislative Jortings.
On Monday petitions were in order, and quite
/ number were presented from the different dis
ofTth islands. \ noteworthy one came
from Koolaupoko, on this island, to the effect
g We women be allowed to elect one repre-
sentative in each elective. district This is a
bold move towards female equality and their
to the franchise. A petition from Hama
kua, Hawaii, asked that an official be sent
to examine. into and report on cases of
leprosy, showing that in spite of the precautions
taken, the horrible disease is still
spreading in remote districts. The Sanitary
~ - L----o- =. A. --z-A r. -
Assembly, say that " the efforts of the Govern
men. to check the spread of leprosy in the King
lom, seem to be, on the whole, successful - but
t is notorious that the disease is on the increase,
nd individual cases in this city can be pointed
,ut almost any day. "t'
On Monday also, another passage at arms
between the Minister of Foreign Affairs
md the Attorney General-New Hampshire rs.
dassachusetts-on the bill ct Regulate Crimi-
lal Procedure originated by the Attorney Gen.
raj, For this reason alone, in all probability,
was opposed by the Minister, whose overween-
ng vanity, it is well known, cannot brook the
dea of anybody knowing anything but himself. !
The bill was a very elaborate one, consisting of
bout one hundred and seventy sections, and must ,
cost a great deal of labor to prepare it. So :
ar as we can judge, its provisions would have ,
highly beneficial in the administration of !
nstice. But it was sacrificed Indefinitely I
ostponed-simply because of the petty jealousy f
f the Minister. De 80 = I'D &c
On Tuesday and Wednesday, a regular batch t
f bills was disposed of, most of them in a very c
urinary manner. Fourteen or more in all u
nd out of this number, seven were indefinitely o
ostponed. Many of then those passed Il
were of an impracticable nature, and could {
ever be enforced. Others, again, were worthy d
f consideration. This hurryiDg of business Il
Oes to show how the plan operates of paying "
representatives. so much per session, instead of as Il
'rfnerly, so much per diem. '-A ga Ia
Friday was appointed as tie last day on which q
give notice of bills. Tn was the express rule W
the House. But on Friday, members found Is