The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1873-01-11


should be diminished To- not to exceed $1,000 per
annum. this in my view being ample % maintain all
the State requisite for this little kingdom. Tho
grant TO kamchameha III. commenced with S1Optor
$500. and on the death Of kamehamcha Nv. Think
had reached $1,000. This for this poor and small
people is enough il economically used. as the best
good of the nation certainly requires that IL should be.
2nd-The ministerial Offices should net be- more
than two, n number quite equal 10 the labors aud rr-
probabilities. They have been nominally kept at
four because the Constitution called for IL, though
actually one munster has not unfrcquenty had the
oversight Of two. | am not alone In my opinion that
two men could oversee the four ministerial Depart
meuts, with no greater labor, mental or physical,
than able men ia this community aud other oommu-
mites often devote 10 their private ahairs One OF
two special counselors might be appointed 60 DO
called uPou in special cases 81 Importance, with n
reasonable per diem allowance for time actually
devoted TO consultation. The Prvy Council serving
without compensation. eanuot be expected to devote
very much time 10 government matters.
3rd-The legislators should have a per diem allow
ance. the sessions Tot Go exceed n fixed number u
days, or IL they should excced the number, the Pay
TO cease; as il is in New York. Neither my time. or
your sheet. win allow me 10 prolOng this letter, but
these are only a few Of the things Ina which tho
organic iGc needs amendment. and which are not
provided for in either Constitution.
There should be some limit by law 90 expenses 81
various kinds. as military, printing, SO, which need
careful thought Of wise and competent men 10 con-
slider, and which cannot be touched upon here. But
the fact that If even the Evolutionary course u pro-
claiming the Constitution OF 1852 Is adopted, that
Constitution will still require amendment, at least Ina
the opinion Of many whose opinions are worthy Of
consideration. forms an additional reason for taking
the lawful and temperate course marked cut in the
GG=eiie, aud which will accomplish the same end la
n more unobjectionablc way. At least. | hope that
the King will ask the advice of the Supreme Court
before be commits himself 20 the course indicated in
your paper Of Saturday ast,-because, 60 many that
course does not seem necessary TO accomplish the end
desired by the most liberal.
l write now, because il is n time when amend
menis, and it is to 10 hoped improvements will be
introduced into the organic law, and l hope that
those having the matter in charge may be practical
men. who will not think that the changes suggested
are not practical. They are, and may be made III
those in power, and holding influential positions.
viii set themselves to inquire what can be done %
economize the income without diminishing the cti-
cheney or dignity Of the state; rs well ~ securing
the least taxation with the greatest prosperity. Tho
sum named for the salary Of the King is certainly
ample for al that can be required TO support the
state of the King Of these Islands; but besides this,
the coming King is in receipt of a handsome income
from his own private fortune. And certainly no
measure could be more popular with his people than
to favor n reduction of his own salary,
In proposing u reduction Of the number Of Minis
tiers, ] do not think that the work to be done can DO
rs great, or perplexing or wearing, os IL was during
its organic stages, when everything was In a forma-
tive process, and when the Government wac more or
less harrassed from without and within. Its members
were few in number, with hard work and little salary.
AAAH A1h NNA A0t1 w AVN&N EADNA IRWIN AHA
laid the foundation of the euperstructure, however
defective 1t may have been. He worked too hard,
and his salary then was $500. In 1912 be was
joined by DR.. Judd, and leaving Immediately for
Europe, he WAS left alone till 1874, when MIR. RECORD
was added to the working number. la 1916, Mr..
Willie took the portfolio Of Foreign Affairs. and 20
this period the salaries had only reached 81 900, and
this was the compensation first received by Chief
Justice Lee. For years, $1,000 became the measure
of compensation for Ministerial service; with an
advance in the case Of the Chancellor to 81 .000,
proposed by Mr.. Wyllie 20 make IL correspond 10 tho
same Office and dignity rs in England, after which
form OF government the Hawaiian was patterned.
Ultimately the ministerial and Chancellor's salaries
reached $4,000, where they BOW stand. This l do
not propose TO reduce, and IL surely will command
the services of men able and competent 20 oversee
and conduct the affairs Of any two Of the ministerial
departments with certainly less labor and more pay
than fell to the lot of the organizers Of the govern
ment. / should not fear that even $4,000 would
command the requisite service.
The judiciary department could be re-organizcd, L
think, in the interests Of economy, without diminish
ing its dignity or efficiency. ! spoke Of the legislative,
military and printing departments. Other changes
suggested by past experience might perhaps be mado
with benefit, which would not be constitutional by
either of the instruments named, without amendment.
It may be thought that these changes are sweeping,
visionary and impracticable. / believe they are
neither, and although my own views might be modi-
fed by discussion as to details, yet to make essential
changes for the better in the matters named. l think
quite practicable and IL there is the will l believe
they will now be accomplished, or / should not 30
write. ~