The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1874-08-15
THE LEGISLATURE OF 1874.

on the subject Of antagonism of race, strongly
predicted that this Legislature would prove most
disastrous to the interests Of foreigners. Now,
however, at the conclusion Of is session We may
say. that never before did any Hawaiian Legisla-
tive Body enact so much to advance foreign
enterprise and interest in these islands.
1t is true that at the commencement Of the
session there was an evident Discrimination TO
consider favorably any measure proposed by the
foreign Ministers Of the King. The many en-
lightened propositions embodied IN the speech
from the Throne, seemed likely to be utterly dis
regarded, and it was strongly asserted at one
time, by foreign members Of the House Of Mobiles,
that native Representatives were determined to
oppose every proposition and measure put for
ward by foreign-bOrn members. But by-and-bye
it was discerned that this opposition was directed
almost entirely against certain foreign members
Of His Majesty's Cabinet, and when at length a
Ministerial resignation took place, accompanied
by a reconstruction and the introduction of a
new influence into the Royal Council, a mar
vellous harmonizing change came over the alleged
anti-foreign sentiment in the popular representa-
ton. Ana this change is unques,ionably due, in
a large degree, to the presence of Attorney Gen
eral Stanley in a Ministerial seat.
The great questions which prominently con
Germ the welfare Of the country, were now taken
in hand in a spirit to meet the hopes of the for
eign enterprise, a. well as the native patriotism
Of the country THE immigration measure has
Notwithstanding the paucity of our means
a liberal consideration in the appropriation of
$4,000. And when that great object, the re-
peopling Of these islands, is also contemplated in
an authorized loan of one million Of dollars, we
feel that henceforth immigration will be a domi-
nant and active policy of this Kingdom
The question of Reciprocity, or free-trade with
our market in America, is no doubt our para
mount interest at this time, and it has received
that enlightened attention from the Legislative
Assembly which it's importance demanded. An
Act has been passed which ratifes in advance any
successful negotiation which His Mlajesty's Envoy
at Washington may happily accomplish, so that
simultaneous with the success of our diplomatic
action we may enjoy the fruits of a free and re-
munerative market for our products.
The authorization of the loan to which We have
referred, proves also the enlightened spirit of ma
tive Hawaiian Legislators. Though many of
their immediate fathers were confined to the rude
barter Of hcathenism, and could only appreciate
a material they could handle, yet their sons ap-
preciate a national idea, and the worth and good
name associated with it, which they recognize as
part of the capital of the country, to be utilized
as well as the metal or other material that may
be in their hands. 4 spirit of opposition, which
defeated a non-intercst-bearing Treasury-Note
clause, was prompted by a narrow-minded out
side faction, that would deny to us a facility that
has been coincident with the enterprise and ad-
vancement Of the most enlightened countries.
l.. - ..alI.--E -. L.. -.
evinccd by our Legislators, in enacting a Bill that
offers inducements to any Submarine Telegraph
Company that contemplates uniting with electric
communication the American with the Asiatic
Continent, to lay their cable by the way of and
throughout these Islands.
And our native Representatives., Who have
wisely continued the restriction which is imposed
upon their countrymen in respect to the free use
of ardent spirits, have shown an intelligent and
liberal spirit, in consenting to a home production
by our Sugar mills Of the spirituous liquors which
are so largely imported at a heavy cost.
These FIVE measures-of Reciprocity, Immi-
1 grafton, A Loan, Submarine Telegraph. and Dis
tillation,-are the most important of this session
as affecting foreign enterprise, and evince an en-
lightened spirit and an enlarged national senti-
ment on the part of our Legislative Assembly.
OF what we may term of the minor Legislation
Of the session, there are some measures of value,
and some that call for our condemnation. OF the
latter class of obnoxious ~enactments, we deem the
one that place the retail business of the islands
in the hands of Chinese peddlars as the most per
nicious. This will legalize itinerant fraud and
corruption Of the worst sort, and any persons
who favored its advocacy and approval will merit
the strong condemnation of all who have a regard
for the moral and social welfare of the natives, as
well as the hearty disapproyal of the whole bust
ness community of these islands.
The "Act to promote industrial pursuits in the
public schools, - should be classed as one of the
most important measures considered by the As
sembly. The one relating to divorce, repeating
the law Of 1870, and re-enacting the old law on
the suhjoos, which PvImi1o SuI0eYuont narsiasO,
is wise and ~salutary, considering the character OF
our native population. The Act to further extend
the term of the Commission of Boundaries, is
very requisite and timely. The Act to = provide
for the sale of mortgaged property without suit
and decree of sale. i" might seem to discriminate
in favor of the creditor, but doubtless it will tend
to reduce costs, and where parties are at all
reasonable it must be to the advantage of the
estate Of a debtor. An Act " concerning pass
ports, increases the cost of a protest, and is an
improvement on the old law but the highest
Improvement would doubtless have been to have
erased the passport system altogether from our
statutes. What business have we with any kind
of passports" which the enlightened spirit Of
Europe and America no longer ~tolerates. If we
would establish a free port and an emporium for
the Pacific. we must get rid of this, and every
thing else in the shape of unnecessary Prohibitive
Legislation
Several Acts, in relation to our Water supply
in Honolulu administration of estates; guardians
and wards; licenses; inter-island transportation
and other measures, have more or less of merit
and deserve mention at our hands, which several
of them may receive on some future occasion.
The 4ct % To restrfck the imnnrtntinn and sale