The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1871-12-02
Home Picture.

Mr.. Julius A Palmer jr., continues his {" Hawaiian
Experiences % in the Boston Commercial Bulletin.
In the number for October IA, we find a vivid de-
~scription of what the writer saw in the Legislative
Halls of Hawaii nei, which, although decidedly col
ored, is sufficiently to the life to provoke a hearty
laugh, and with that view we reproduce it here.
At the time we resided at Honolulu. the Reel
proeity treaty was a~gitating the local parliament.
These pdtres cOnScripti are chosen from all coiors
and languages there is every grade. from the full
blOOded Caucasian TO the swarthy native. "llOw
then. " asks an i~ncipient politician, . how do they
debate?" How proceed according to Cushing's
Manual" These questions are answered in the
name of one man.
BILL RAGsDALE."
"And who might that individual be,n do you fur
Their ask?
Bill Ragsdale is the parliament. the king. the
people. Bill Ragsdale is the power behind the
throne. In fact, L could not see how the Sandwich
Islands could be run at all without Bill Ragsdale.
Mr.. Ragsdale would require the grand total of
the eight columns before you to do him full justice.
We can only allow ourselves to touch upon a few
of the incidents told of this wonderful character.
AS the pen is mightier than the sword, so the
tongue, which no man can tame, is migbtier than
the pen. This is the secret of Mr.. Ragsdale's posi-
ton. On an elevated platform, facing the mobiles
and the lower house, stands a young, half-caste
gentleman, apparently about thirty years of age.
AS fast as a European makes a speech. it is rem
dered without the least hesitation into Hawaiian,
and vice versa i make bold to say that the world
has never known a more fluent interpreter. The
kingdom of Hawaii recognizes the fact, and no
royal scion INDUCES in freaks of fancy with more
impunity than Bill Ragsdale. His character is not
above reproach ; what matter? Parliament cannot
sit without him. He has been in the prison and the
chain-gang more than once. The Halls of State
have then attempted to legislate with other aid,
but II was no use debates tagged, members
snored, interpreters asked speakers to repeat their
phraseology. and the Hawaiian chariot wheels
dragged as heavily as did those OF Pharaoh in an
cient days. At last a bold member would move a
free pardon to Bill Ragsdale carried the king
signs it at once, and a messenger is despatched to
the cbain-gang. Mr.. Ragsdale is never disturbed
by anything he greets the messenger with perfect
self possession, and with the air of the physician
called at last extremity in an important case. He
exchanges his prison dress for a coat of white eassi-
mere. The is a very Beau Brummel in toilet and
enters the House. In a fash all is changed his
electrical influence has put life into the assembly
gifted with a wonderful natural elouuenee. he
glows with enthusiasm in the debate, and either in
English or Hawaiian inspires every listener. He
IS not always impartial he can put through or
crush a measure at his will, control the native ele-
meDt at his pleasure.
When the Reciprocity treaty was debated in the
Hawaiian Parliament. it was with difficulty that
the natives could be brought to see what an advan-
tage Its adoption would be to the Island Kingdom.
Bill Ragsdale bad bad his head broken in a drunk
en- irollc. 1t was a critical moment. Mr. - was
10 make next day the speech in favor OF the treaty.
A select committee labored :" with Mr.. Ragsdale:
'Dr. (ex-member of General Grants staf1 gave
the best surgical care to his head. while DIR. Mon
attended to his pocket. When | next saw
MI Ragsdale he was eloquently interpreting Mr..
&" great speech. With a handkerchief bound
around bis head. he was carrying the House with
his splendid pleading and his graceful gestures.
As a wind-up to this writer's criticisms OF our Is
land community, read the following paragraph: