The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1871-12-09
TIE PACIFIC
Commercial A6bertisfr.
SATURDAY. DECEMBER 9.
A TranS.Pacific Telegraph.

! LCAC $500
earth in forty minutes is one that has. been
occupying the minds of the great electricians
ever since the completion of the link connecting
Europe and the Great Republic. The triumph
ant yindication of the truth of the theories ad-
vanced when the scheme first attracted the at
tention of capitalists, has placed the question of
the practicability of deep sea telegraphing be-
yond doubt, and now, we who live in the present
age may rest assured that, in our generation, the
electrician in any one of our great business cen
tres, will hold the pen of all nations in his grasp,
and send intelligence around the world that will
outstrip the hours as they fly.
The question now engaging the attention OF
those who are most interested in the realization
of this magnificent project, is the route to be
taken in crossing the Pacific; and to this end,
distances have been calculated, and soundings
made, which have shown that, from San Fran
cisco to Possietta, Asia, (the eastern terminus
of the Asiatic line to New York, now In opera
tion) via Ateha, Aleutian Islands, Will require
1888 nautical miles of cable, while TO the same
point (Possietta) via the Hawaiian Islands, Will
take 8,463 miles thus showing a difference OF
LOS miles in favor of the northern route. But,
Notwithstanding this difference, we are OF the
oninion that the southern route has advantages
that will more than compensate for the difference
in length OF cable. In the first place the relia-
biity of favorable weather to be encountered by
the squadron engaged in laying the cable on
the southern route, is a very important point,
and in this respect we are singularly favored.
Secondly, the cable once laid to the Aleutian Isles
and thence to the Asiatic coast would be,
throughout its entire length, off the course of
regular trade, nor can we hope that the future
will find it more in the track of the of
the Pacific. Hence the enhanced cost of fitting
out special supply ships, and the cutting off of
the line from any way business whatever. By
taking the southern route the vessels engaged in
the laying of the cable, would be directly ON the
line of regular packets between San Francisco
and these islands, and within a few days sail of
either port. Then, the line in successful opera
ton, its mid-ocean station would be used by the
entire North Pacific Marine, and the amount re-
ceiyed each year for the transmission of messages
each way from The islands would assist very ma
terially in balancing the first cost of the addi-
tional 600 miles of cable required for this
route. As regards the facilities offered here for
landing a cable, we know that, in the course Of
soundings undertaken here with the view of as
certaining the feasibility of laying. the shore end
of a cable in safety, ByrOn's Bay, HiIO, is ad-
mirably formed for such a purpose.
This Government has done all that could be
expected of it to further this route, and has
granted to the representatives of two companies
the right to land and work their cables at any
point that may be selected, and we are further
assured that all proper concessions will be made
whenever a line is established.
That a line placing US in telegraphic commu-
~nication with the entire world would be of great
benefit to these islands, no one, we think, will
deny; and we sincerely hope that, when the time
comes for the Government and our business men
to decide what they will do in the premises, the
action of all will be characterized by a spirited
generosity that will show that we are anxious to
join hands with the pations that band the world.
The Gazette is correct when 1t states that one
of the qualifications of an elector required by the
statute, is the payment of his taxes. But in
reading the comments of the Organ which follow.
the impression Is created that any one failing to
pay his taxes on or before the last day of Deem
Der, thereby loses bis right to vote at the election
which takes place in February. We have nc
desire to encourage any one in delaying the
prompt payment of taxes, but we are reminded
that the inference apparently drawn by the Organ
is incorrect. At the January term of the Supreme
Court, 1870, Mr.. Justice Hartwell gave a decis-
ion in the case of H. Thompson VS.. the Tax
Collector of Honolulu, which puts the subject in
a different light. Mr.. Thompson paid his taxes
on the last day of December, and was refused a
certificate that he was entitled to vote, the Collec-
tor having previously given notice that the last
l. 4 IT r. - 100
his Office. In ruling that the plaintiff was enti-
tied to his certificate as a voter, the Court
declared that the duties of the Assessor md
Collector were ministerial only, while those of
Inspectors were, to some extent, Judicial in their
nature, and not merely mechanical or ministerial.
The Constitution provides that every male subject
shall be entitled to vote, who among other quail
~fcations, 8 shall have paid his taxes and
f'shall have caused his name to be entered on
the list of voters of his District, as may be re-
quired by law" The decision referred to saws
that I" If the Inspectors find any names to have
been omitted from the Collectors or Assessors
list of persons having the legal and requisite
qualifications of voters, they are to require the
Collectors to deliver such persons a tax receipt
endorsed with the words, qualified to VOTE and
are to insert such names with those upon the
previous list, upon the Inspectors list of voters. -
Subsequently to the rendition of the decision
above referred to, r. G. Davis, Esq, paid his
taxes on or about the middle of January of that
year, and the Inspectors refused to put bis name
upon the list of voters. On application to the
Court, an order vas issued January 25th, direct
ing his name to be placed on the list, which was
done.
4.
The doctrine established is, that the right of
the ballot is a high and sacred one, of which no
man can be deprived without due and decisive
action of the law, and that while the payment of
taxes is a prerequisite to the exercise of that
right, there is no lawful authority vested in any
official to circumscribe the time within which
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