The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1872-07-17

about the bonds as having a lien upon the hotel.
Can you find anything in the bonds that gives such
[ lien? The community did not believe that the bonds
would held as against the hotel, but that the Govern
ment was responsible for the money advanced. Some Of
I the Subscribers were alarmed, and there some
talk about refusing to pay up the nstaments, upon
which an article appeared in the Government GAZETTE
threatening the subscribers, intimating that they
would have to pay. Are to suppose that the GA
zErrE lent its colums to to J. Mott Smith that he
might dun his debtors2 A meeting Of subscribers was
called, and at this meeting the subscribers distinctly
styled it Government enterprise. Said Mr.. Water.
house. We are not shareholders, otherwise should
have adopted another to the now propose
that is, to pay up and ask no questions" The d.
mansions Of the building must have convinced him
that had a white elephant their hands.
Again, the same gentleman remarks 81 made my
subscription on the faith Of the Executive Govern
mont and understood that was to receive my bonds
for it, as have doubt l will" The Minister of
Foreign Relations has made an attempt to play upon
the term Executive Government dstinguishable,
as to responsibility from the Legislative and Judicial
branches, but the attempt to separate the branches
Of the Government in this is "too thin, too
easily seen through challenge the other side to
show one single word authorizing this expenditure
of funds.
There has been some talk about j. Mott Smith
having borrowed this money. If so, why did he not
give his note of hand. II he borrowed the money
why does he give bond or receipt signed by the
Minister Of Finance, attestod by the Registrar of
Public Accounts2 During this debate His ,Majes-
tvs name has been brought IN. For what reason? 1t
was that certain Of you Representatives who still be-
eye that "there's such divinity doth hedge a King"
should be intimidated. The influence of his name is
sought for effect in this debate. | submit that no one
should use his name in this Assembly to screen or
shield himself Article 81 of the Constitution says:
" The person of the King is inyiolabc and sacred.
His Ministers are responsible" The of the Kings
name comes with bad grace from the other side. This
use cheapens tho dignity of the Throne trust that
its use will be without influence upon any Of you
When this session first opened you Representatives
seemed to appreciate your position, but familiarity
with your duties seems to have bred a contempt for
the responsibilities of your station.
The question for you to decide is simply, Has the
Minister exceeded his authority in issuing the Hotel
Bonds" If he has the right to thus cxpend funds
why called upon to pass upon an Appropria-
ton Bill? It has been said that there is no law
against issuing bonds. Let me ask, then, why does
the Minister give notice of a Bill to authorize loan
if he can raise funds and disburse money without au-
thority of this Assembly? satisfied by the evil
dence before me that the Minister knew just what he
was doing and took the risk of receiving the censure
of this Assembly. He weighed the matter well in his
mind, counted the cost, and relying upon his in
nueuco with Tax Collectors and Tax Assessors, he
resolved to run tho risk of pushing tho scheme
through this Assembly, and has succeeded This in
luence, appointing power is felt wherever govern
ment is established. His Excellency has disre-
garded the law and the law-making power. We
charge that the tendency of this illegal act of the
Minister of Finance is depreciae the public credit
If private individual were thus to use his credit
would not his note be taxed by an extra rate of in
tcrest compensation for the extra risk assumed by
the lender? The only fact that would maintain this
reckless of credit would be that his property was
equal to the strain. The Bonds of this Government
lawfully issued, good property but if the Minis
ter can, without authority of this Assembly issue
bonds to any extent and without notice. lenders will
be timid and charge extra interest for the
extra risk assumed. Not to censure this act of the
Minister is to establish dangerous precedent. 1t is
within my recollection, when 1 at the reporters /
table, that sum of money was expended by the Gov
eminent without authority of law and an Honorable |
Noble of this Assembly took the floor and spoke /
warmly against the Act of the Ministry, and gave no.
ice that although he allowed this matter to pass his
vote he would hold the Government to a strict ac-
for any such expenditure in the future.
By this caution of the Noble I considered that the
Ministry received his individual censurc, and have
he same right to put record our as body.
By our caution not only the present Min
ser but his in office, and the censuro is
,ery mild. One of our number came to me in great
reputation, saying, Do you know that if this reso-
ution passes the Minister must resign" 1 do not
bink that this will necessarily follow. To use the
lang of the street. the Minister is not cone of that
ind" Again, say that having voted for the
Iotel Bill they cannot vote for this resolution This
oes not follow for some of you doubtless believed
hat the hotel needed, and were glad to have it
uilt and yet you may not sanction the manner of
aisiug the funds. You Unidentified the Minister for
he expenditure, but you consistently condemn
i'm for issuing the bonds. You may as Representa-
ives be able satisfy your constituents for the build
ng of the hotel, but you easily satisfy them
Or refusing to censuro Minister who disregards
heir constitutional rights?
Hon D. Kalakaua thought that the withdrawal of
hat portion of the resolution having reference to the
ioatation of the Constitution tended only to blind
he members of the House, and persuaded them into
he idea that the resolution was most temperate in its
haracter, but it was far from that resolution of
ensure was resolution of censure and nothing else
ould be made of it. The idea was to censure the
linister of Finance, and if the resolution passed it
ould have the same effect as a severe censure, and
ie consequence no could tell, perhaps the Minis
v would resign. He cautioned the House against
citing for the adoption of the resolution, and the
,mo time expressed doubt regarding the right of
lie Representative element in the Assembly acting
pom the resolution.
Mr. Mkalemi was in favor of the resolution, and ]
fought the conduct of the Minister of Finance repre-
onsiblc He hoped the resolution would pass the
louise and be placed upon the records Of the Assem-
y.
Mr. Kipi was opposed to the resolution for
,ntained in the 5gth Article of the Constitution.
Mr.. Aholo thought the Minister of Finance perfect
justified in issuing the bonds, as the money was
towards building hotel, which cxpendi-
ire had now been sanctioned by the Legislature. He
id not consider that one dollar of the public money
nd been used and where the Minister of Finance