The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1876-01-08
The Samoan Islands.

Mr.. J. A. Steinberger, brother Of A. d. Stein.
berger, Premier Of the Samoan Kingdom, recently
arrived at San Francisco from the Samoan group,
has been giving the newspapers the results Of his
observations. He says The costumes worn on the
island differ slightly from the styles so popular al
this time in San Francisco. The natives wear some
clothing, but not enough to come within the rules Of
parliamentary decorum, hence special rules were
adopted imposing a fine Of 500 upon every mem
Der who should appear in the Legislative halls in a
partial or complete state Of nudity.
Last July the Constitutional Government, so
called, with A. Il. Steinberger az Premier, was or
ganized AID eight Governors appointed. The Leg
~islature, composed Of two bodies, known as Taimua,
the Senate, and Taipua, the Assembly, is now in
session, passing laws with all the rapidity and haste
no doubt that characterize law making in the United
States. The members Of the Upper House, number
ing fifteen, are selected to serve for life from the high
chiefs or prominent families Of the Islands. The
basis Of representation in the Lower House, is one
member to every 1000 inhabitants-eighteen repre-
sentatives under the present population. They are
elected to serve for two years.
When the members we're compelled to wear clothes
and pay for them, it began to dawn on their minds
that civilization had its ~discomforts az we'll as its
blessings. It is said that a member Of the Samoan
Legislature in tight boots and plug hat is the most
grotesque specimen of law-maEng timber that con-
stitutional liberty ever produced. At first they re-
fused TO wear anything on their feet, so awkward
and uncomfortable did shoe leather appear to them
but respect for the government finally impelled them
to change their decision. The school law recently
passed, levies a tax on each village to support schools
in which pupils shall be taught in both the native
aud English language. The Marriage and Divorce
Act does not differ materially from the California law
On this subject. That boon Of freedom known as the
jury trial has already been bestowed upon the be-
nighted inhabitants Of the islands, and it is said
that the standard Of intelligence is just high enough
to render the natives f~rst-class jurors. When a
white man is to be tried the consul Of whatever
nation the accused may hail from is entitled TO the
privilege Of selecting two jurors Of the prisoners
own countrymen. When the accused happens to be
q native the jurors are all copper-colore1. Mr..
Steinberger speaks in unqualified praise Of the virtue
and chastity Of the native women, especially those
residing inland, or distant from the harbors where
sailors and other white men congregate. The women,
too, are not destitute Of personal beauty.
The military force Of the government consists Of
one hundred and fifty Well-driled militiamen. In
the town Of Apia, the seat Of government, where
the population has reached the number Of 500, po-
lice officers patrol the streets regularly, and make
prompt arrests Of Law breakers. There are only
three saloons in Apia at present, yet formerly there
were twenty. 1t may stagger some people to under
stand how civilization il progressing when the num-
Der of drinking saloons has declined from twenty to
three. At 10 o'clock every night a cannon is fired,
and that is the signal for closing up the saloons.
Among the official documents forwarded from
Samoa to the United States by the steameS .HitadO
was a letter from the natives addressed TO President
Grant. The epistle is extensively signed by tA
native chiefs, and at some length thanks the Presi-
dent for the lively interest be has taken in their be-
hall. They report to the President that peace reigns