The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1873-12-17
The Biennial Election.

The Minister Of the Interior gives notice in
another column that the biennial election to
choose representatives, for the national Legisa-
ture will be held throughout the Kingdom on
Monday the second of February, 1874 There
are twenty-eight representatives TO be chosen,
viz eight on Hawaii, seven on Maui, two on
Molokai and Lanai, eight on Oahu, and three on
Kauai, who hold Office for two years. The regu-
lar session of the Legislature meets in April fol-
lowing the election, and the compensation of
representatives is $3.50. If an extra session is
called the pay is the same as for the regular one.
Thus the representatives who have held Office
during the current two years have received for
their services five hundred dollars each.
This increase Of pay makes the Office Of repre-
sentative much sought for by the natives, who
have influence in the districts in which they may
reside, and there is consequently much COMPETE
ton to secure an election. From the various
districts throughout the group, we hear that
there will be more than usual com pettion at the
coming election, and probably larger number of
candidates than have ever before been in the
field albeit there is no question Of special inter
est before the people at this time. That of re-
ciprocty treaty with the United States, on any
terms whatever, cannot be thought of, after what
has already trauspired concerning it. That ma
ton is not so anxious to give up half million
dollars annually of its revenue to people who
value her friendship so lightly as TO charge her
only with dishonest motives before she has even
expressed willingness to entertain the matter.
The reciprocity qsestion must therefore be drop
ped, with no prospect OF ever being successfully
taken up again.
Regarding the qualifications of electors few
words may be added. Only subjects of the King
are entitled to vote, and these may be native
born or naturaIzed. The qualifications of voter
as defined in Article g. Of the Constitution are
as follows
Every male subject Of the Kingdom who
shall have paid his taxes who shall have attained
the age of twenty years and shall have been
domiciled in the Kingdom for one year imme d.
ately preceding the election; and shall be pos
sessed of real property in this Kingdom 10 the
value over aud above all membranes Of one
hundred and fifty dolars-orof lease-hold prop
eriy on which the rent is twenty-five dollars per
year-or Of an income Of not less than seventy
five dollars per year, derived from any property
or some lawful employment aud shall know how
to read aud write if born since the year 1910;
and shall have caused his name to be entered on
the list Of voters of his district as may be pro-
vided by law, shall be entitled to one vote for the
representative or representatives Of that district.
Provided, however, that no insane or idiotic per-
son, nor any person who shall have been convict
ed Of any infamous crime within this Kingdom,
unless be shall have been pardOned by the King,
and by the terms of such pardon have been re-
stored to all the rights of subject, shall be al
lowed to vote"