The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1872-05-04
Political Reform.

Allowing for the sake Of argument that the
Royal Proclamation which overrode the Constitu-
tiOn in 1864, is entitled to respect IS a legitimate
Constitution, we, the people, who are TO yield it
our allegiance, are placed in a situation both
perplexing and demoralizing. The age is past
when men can be expected to change their poll
teal opinions at the command or within of rulers.
We may have accepted the old Constitution hon
estly, adhered to it affectionately, and have seen
it superseded with regret and it may be impos-
sible for us to accept the somewhat different
principles of the present-yes, call it-Constitu-
ton. This makes US malcontents, and what ex-
preston we may give to our political feelings,
revolutionary. Or, we may gradually become
convinced by suitable arguments and circum-
stances and by the gentle influence of time, the
great healer, that the present-well, yes,-Con-
%stitution is the best thing possible, all things be-
ing considered, and that the old one was behind
the times and unfit for an enlightened and high
minded administration And we may enthu-
siastically and devotedly commit ourselves to the
present condition Of things and swear by the
Constitution to our last dollar and then it may
happen in the ordinary course Of events that our
conscientious rulers. for reasons satisfactory to
themselves, shall publish, some quiet morning, a
new-Constitution, containing principles dia-
metrically opposed to the present, and declaring
the preceding one to be g hereby cancelled -
which ingenious bit of administrative tactics will
Of course bring upon the late strong patriots the
awkward dilemma between a hasty and humili
ating political conversion, and remaining sus-
pected plotters and malcontents. Or, a new ad-
ministratiOn may arise, who shall restore the
Constitution of the last two reiOns which poll
teal retrogressiOn would place certain individuals
in circumstances too painful for us to dwell
upon. So that whatever may happen, under
that article of our present interesting political
creed which places the Constitution of the state
in the position of a Cabinet Minister or a men,
Der of the Privy Council, to wit,-"t to hold
Office at the Kings pleasure, the results are
sure to be inconvenient to somebody. And who
ever freely discusses these subjects in n public
way, is likely to be regarded as an extreme radi-
cal, n Jacobin or if his views happen TO be
politically orthodox now, they may be quoted
against him with damaging effect under the next
act of the civil drama.
With these possible difficulties before us, and
in spite of them, we wish to use our privilege of
free discussion, and give a short space to the
suggestion of certain reforms much needed in the
Government this in answer to those who accuse
us of being willing to cause trouble. by publish
ing our imperfections, without at the same time
furnishing or proposing any remedy. But in
truth, it is much easier to discover faults than to
cure them. Our Country and Sovereign at the
beginning of the present reign, surrounded by
weak, incompetent and ignorant advisers, were
led into mistakes which have resulted in q situa-
- -. L--.l-~l- - - I,-I -
know what to do first, which way to turn. We
are entangled in q political moraSs, are badly
mired in it, and are sinking instead of rising.
The Government has become unpopular and con-
sequently weak.
As our chief political losses have come upon US
through the present Constitution, we naturally
look to the right of amendment thereto, gra-
ciously granted in its articles, for our remedy.
Article so provides that
"Any amendment or amendments to this Constitution may
be proposed in the Legislative Assembly, and If the sane
shall be agreed L" by a majority OF the members thereof, such
proposed amendment OF amendments shall be entered on lis
journal, with the yeas and nays taken thereon, and referred to
the next Legislature which proposed amendment or amend I
ments shall lie published for the three months previous T. the
bv two.tIirds of ali the members Of The legislative Assembly,
and DE APPROVED BY THE KING. such amendment or amend.
ments shall become part Of the Constitution OF this country
The words which we have emphasized give to
an otherwise cumbersome and somewhat imprac-
ticable provision, an atmosphere of leyity and
nonsense of the most masquerading type. OF
course this method is useless in regard to any re-
form that the King may object to, while as to
cha nges that he may favor, it would be much the
best and cheapest way for him to amend by Royal
Order ,-whic under our present civil creed is
perfectly consistent and regular and so save the
two years delay.
The chief subjects of reform are, first; To re-
store the Legislature to its legitimate arrange
ment of Mobiles and Representatives, sitting and
voting separately, each having a negative on the
other. Second To restore the absolute indie
pendence of the Judiciary by repeating Article
65 of the Constitution.
The restoration of the Legislature to its two
house form was attempted in the session of 1868.
Mr.. Wilder brought in a resolution to this effect
which was well supported by a minority composed
Of the best intelligence of the House, S. G. Wilder,
A. +. Judd, II. r. Hitchcock, c. +. Bishop and
c. j. Lyons, speaking in its favor, while Messrs.
Nahaku, Hopu, Koakanu, Mabelona, Kaukaha
and Rhodes, spoke against it. Perhaps the best
argument made on this side of the question was
the one launched by Mr.. Rhodes, who was OPP
posed to the amendment because the Constitution
as it was strengthened the Ministry, and under
the then circumstances they needed strength. In
fortunately for us, this argument may be urged
with az telling force now as then. The motion
was lost by q vote of tWenty-eight to ten. This
is q matter of the highest Importance 10 the ma
ton and 10 each individual in it. and on which