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

Much has been said and written about the con-
t~emplatel changes in the Organic Law Of the King
dom. and the mode Of making them The question
Is not complicated, but exceedingly simple to a prae-
teal mind with ordinary understanding
The Constitution Of 1882 was never formally ali
rogated or superseded by the legitimate authority
the King. the Mobiles and Representatives Of the PEG
pie. That Constitution, by the principle Of univer-
sal suffrage and the provision for a separate, indie
pendent House Of Representatives Of the people,
secured popular rights On = firm basis The remain
ing provisions are similar 70 the Decree Of 1864
The only portion which is antiqua;ed and unsuited
to our existing laws and political advancement, is
the provision relating TO the Kuhina Sui. The lat
ter clause of the seth Section is thought By some to
confer too much power on the Sovereign
The Constitution, de fgci0, of 1864, having never
been ratified and confirmed, but merely tolerated by
the suference Of the people, can be ~abrOgsted by an
ordinance Of the present Legislative Assembly. This
should be their first duty ster the election Of the
Sovereign. II it be deemed advisable TO retain any
excepted in the ordinance. In order 10 harmoniEe
the Constitution Of 1852 with existing laws. it will
oulY be necessary 10 retain a portion Of Article AZ
Of the Constitution de fGctO Of 1864, in order that
the Cabinet Ministers mag act in place Of the ku-
hina Nui, in certain cases
By the same ordinance that a~brogates the de fGct0
Constitution Of 1864. the Legislative Assembly can
revive and restore the Constitution OF 1852, except
ing that portion only relating TO the Kuhina Nui,
and the latter clause Of Article 80, if il be deemed
advisable to except that clause.
The Legislative Assembly can by the ordinance
make the Constitution Of 1852 take immediate effea-
The portion relating to a Kuhina Nui has already
been a~brogated in practice, and the only amendment
necessary to refer to the next Legislative Assembly,
would be that portion relating 10 the goth Article
The changes are few, simple and easily male. An
ordinance Of a few Sections would accomplish all
that is needed. There is no necessity for an extra
session Of the Legislative Assembly, or for a conven-
ton to 'evise the Constitution. Either of these
courses would occasion great expense without any
corresponding benefit.
Why delay immediate action? The present Legis-
lative Assembly have the right and the power to act.
Evils exist: let them be remediel. Let the next
Legislative Assembly have a separate popular branch.
There is no liberty of the people-no safeguard
Of popular rights, if the three estates in a govern
ment are not entitled 10 independent action. If
merged in each other, the checks and balances are
gone. There must be a House of Representatives
separate from the Mobiles.
The people must not yield the right of universal
suffrage, Mt a time when the spirit of the age asks
for its broadest extension. The people of England,
in contending for the extension of the right of suf-
frage, arc only carrying out the struggle of ages for
popular rights. ****