The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1878-12-18
WEDNESDAY. DEC. Is. 1878.
InIfed SInIes Consul scoII.

We briefly alluded last week to q telegram
which appeared in San Francisco paper, and
was copied by local paper, making an un-
founded charge against the United States Con-
sui at this port It is an old charge revamped
for purposes best known 10 those who caused
its reappearance Had it not been that the
Consul had been diligent al his post Of duty,
keeping his government fully advised of the
changes wrought in the commerce of this port
by the action Of the reciprocity treaty, We
question if the paragraph in question had
found space in our papers. To those who
lend support to this hunt we would give the
advice to call of their dogs, not SO much that
we feel called upon TO defend the absent officer,
rs that we think it unwise to meet carefully
prepared statistics, and formidable array Of
facts, by calling names and making faces. 1t
is true that the treaty was for the best part of
two years before the Congress OF the United
States, strongly opposed and more strongly
supported by able men of both political par
ties. Ii is also known that one of the strongest
/ opponents Of the treaty was Mr.. Sherman OF
Ohio, now Secretary of the Treasury, and the
/ officer to whom Consuls of the United States
report
1t is not a matter of surprise to US that Mr..
Sherman, having position and opportunity,
should seek to support the stand he took as
/ Senator, when the treaty was under discussion,
by the preparation Of statistics by one Of his
subordinates, and still less matter of sur
prise If he believes that the treaty may be re-
viewed and modified. We believe that we are
sufficiently cool and unbiased TO understand
that Mr. Sherman considers it to be his duty
to obtain all the information possible for pre-
sentatiOn to the Congress now in session.
II would be subject matter for surprise if a
Consul, particularly one SO conscientious and
able as Dr. Scott has proved himself to be,
should neglect or refuse TO perform duty
I imposed upon him by the head Of his depart
ment. We may well wish that some less able
and jealous officer had the duty to perform
but if wishes were horses beggsrs might ride.
We take issue against those who would ira
duce an absent and faithful officer, because
from our stand point it seems exceedingly i'm
polite. Our study of human nature has taught
Us that it is wiser to keep even lukewarm
friends than TO make an active enemy. We
understand that while the Consul has simply
performed an official dnty, imposed upon him,
ne might not take any personal interest in the
matter: buI We can also readily understand
that an attack upon his good name and repu-
tstion, made too, from the rear, might excite
his ire and make him an ardent partisan.
Now this is just what We counsel our readers
to avoid, in other words We wish to say tha;
vinegar will not catch flies
If asked for advice we would suggest that
His Majesty's government caution our Min
lister Resident in Washington to be on the alert
for any and all information concerning the
treaty 10 meet statistics with statistics, and
facts with facts, for there are two sides to this
as with all questions. Il might even be ad-
visable for those more directly interested tc
send some able attorney on to assist the Mn
lister in revising the secreiary's figures, and II
resrrange them to do duty for our side.
The treaty is of vital Importance to Hawaii,
and we are not 50 sanguine, as some profess
to be, that the action Of the treaty cannot bs
suspended. As we understand the matter The
treaty was made effective by virtue of law
passed by the United States Congress and ma!
be made non-eiective by the same body.