The Hawaiian gazette., 1875-09-15
Samoa and Its Constitution.

! We have received copy of the new consti-
tuition of Samoa, under which King Malietoa
was elected for four years. In its main feat
ures it resembles the Hawaiian constitution,
and will doubtless serve to consolidate that
group under one authority, it heretofore having
been divided into petty chiefdoms, too fire.
quently at war with each other. The constitu-
ton was chiefly framed by Col Steinberger,
under whose auspices or influence the govern
ment appears to have been established As
was natural he has been called to assume the
principal Office, that of premier or secretary of
state, in fact, little else than the ruling power
The chiefs and natives seem to have placed
full confidence in his ability to manage their
affairs and to assume the place given to him
he has renowned his American allegiance and
been created a Samoan noble or chief.
The first article of the new constitution ere
ates the government, and vests its powers in
the King, mobiles and representatives to be
chosen by the people, very much like the Ha-
waiian system. A peculiar feature of it is the
election of a King every four years by the no
bles or Taimua. This plan was adopted as a
compromise to unite the two Royal families, it
being understood that the Kings shall be chosen
alternately from each branch. We quote the
section referring to this election.
SECTION lV.-Hiih veneration for our customs
and ancient traditions, and maintain nviolate the
great families who sprung from of Kings, and
to give greater security to people, it is decreed
that the Royal blood be acknowledged and shall be
perpetuated IN the great houses of Malietoa and
Tapua. The King chosen from one Of these families
shall reign for the period of four years, and upon
the expiration of this term or of demise, then the
succession shall tall TO the other of the two families
that there shall be arotation in the line of Kings be-
tween the two families Of Maieloa and Tapua, with
the succession alternating in the two families If
within the prescribed term of four years, vacancy
should happen by death, impeachment or resigna-
ton, then the vacancy shall be filed from the other
house family and for period of four years
and not for the unexpired term. The King shall be
chosen By the Tamua, the Malo, and Fsipulu as the
chosen representatives of Samoa now assembled at
Mulumu. TIE King shall make oath, to adhere, to
preserve, protect and defend the Constitution Of
Samoa, to execute the laws and protect the rights
of the people.
Another section of the Constitution pre-
seIlDes the duties and powers of the premier, /
and as it was drawn upby the premier it will
be read with interest, as showing how com
pletely the supreme power is vested in his
own person:
1t shall be the duty of the King (the Taimua in
the interim) to appoint person as his partic-
ular Minister, whose title shall be Premier of the
Kingdom. His duty shall be to Transact for the
King all business connected with the special inter
ests Of the Kingdom, and all documents and bust
ness executed by the Premier shall have the force
as though executed by the Kings authority. The
Premier shall be the Kings special counsellor in
the important business Of the Kingdom. The King
shall not act without the knowledge of the Premier,
and the Premier shall be entitled to the floor OF each
House of Parliament and join in debate"
The only remaining section of the constitu-
ton possessing general interest is one provid-
ing for the establishment of a republic, as
follows: