The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1878-05-25

elsewhere, the Consuls and their conyeyanccrs were
paid by the ship-Owners, and no payment 81 rucn
receipts was ever made TO this Government find-
ing no law 10 authorize such documents, / 30 IN
formed Mr.. Carter, and then nj his request prepared
such a form Of document ms / thought would be re-
spCcted under rules OF international law, for winch
service il was understood I was 10 be paid 800 from
the moneys thereafter paid 10 the C0nsuls by the
foreign ship-owners, as they issued the papers.
This was not work which was required Of the Attor-
ney-General. or for which the Hawaiian Government
was required TO pay or did pay. | subsequently re-
turned this money, aud without objection being made.
took back my receipt, thinking that, although Il was
a perfectly just and proper charge TO be made against
the foreign ship-owners, IL might be misrepresented
or misunderstood. The Foreign Office now has. |
hear, Sl2j paid from these sources, besides the Con-
suls having deducted $50 for each document for
their own services.
The Report says that " In the Atlorney-General's
Office no regular set Of books are ~kept-only An inde-
Unite sort OF record or ledger, very much interliDed
and amended, and besides this, q small memorandum
Of petty accounts - and further remarks, that - the
appropriation for an Assistant or Deputy Attorney
General bad been largely used in the employment OF
TWO or more clerks who might be available helps ia
matters pertaining TO private practice, but not suf-
hcient for the public duties contemplated when the
provision was made - that " In consequence, the
Attorney-Genera has employed lawyers recently 10
perform the duties OF an assistant, who have been
paid out Of the public funds designed for other OBJ
Jects-for Coroner's inquests, ETC. My books have
been kept precisely as they were always kept ia my
department, except that the OUTLAWS are IN all cases
fully explained. My predecessors, know, will fully
sustain this statement. Not even the Committee
have discovered one cent improperly expended in
the outlay Of about S9G 600, except, as they say,
IN paying 500 for drawing certain transfer pa
pers Of the steamer Likciike. | have devoted the
salary for clerk hire, TO obtaining the most efficient
clerical work ] could get. During nearly half Of the
period | paid from my own funds at the rate Of
Fl,5OO a year TO one competent clerk DE
sides paying another clerk), making no
charge Of this 10 the GOXprumpuf On losing tho
services Of my principal clerk. | divided the Govern
ment salary among two and sometimes three clerks,
In the way | thought most useful. The records and
accounts in my Office will show. ms | stated 10 the
Committee, that il 30 happens that | have paid out
less money for additional counsel than has been paid
by some former Attorncys-Genera The fee for
drawing the LH,elfhe paper was paid because Of my
severe illness, utterly incapaciating me from all work
for n time. To my suggestion that | should resign,
my colleagues advised my taking a short respite.
which l did. 1t was important that the Likeiike
papers be made by a competent lawyer without de-
lay. This was done, and his bill was paid. The
Committed find no cause 10 comment on like employ
ment Of additional assistants in other Departments
nor DO they care 20 report that | informed them that
! had sent to the Eastern States, and had sought
here, TO obtain such an assistant as not only could do
my clerical work, but also attend circuits. The
salary Of 81 800 will not command the services Of "A
lawyer, and the Attorney-Gencra cannot be in Mt
tendance on public business on two islands nc the
same time. Neither is he always certain Of perfect
hN"iAh ~ Nh1hAlon Ut Ntfls lnt CNhtlH hhu
kind feelings Of the Honorable Chairman not allow
ing him TO make this explanation, / make il myself
| have now briefly referred 10 all that has been
charged against me. Most men who have long resi-
ded here are well known, and llawaiians are parlic-
ularly acute in learning whom they can trust, aud
whom not. | do not intend TO enter the nrena Of
personality or inyectiye, and shall only do 30 II com
PEELED by personal attacks. II the members Of this
House, or the Hawaiian or foreign community are
informed Of the truth, | have no fear Of their con-
illusions. Knowing what calumnics have been
spread concerning myself and the Ministry, | nm
happy for the opportunity 10 meet the accusers face
to face. 1t is for this Assembly 20 Judge whether
these attacks arc made by those who "covet no
mans Office for themselves or their friends, or not.
| do not care TO protest, as the Honorable Chairman
has done, my Christian faith, or my bcnevolenoe 10
the Hawaiian people, as reasons why they should
trust me. by their works ye shall know them
If my acts depend for their defense solely on my
words, and not On the calm judgment aud good
sense Of those who know me in this country, I should
not care to speak.
These remarks, offered on the spur Of the moment,
will receive calm consideration from all who have no
prejudice or ulterior objects. IL Is not my pleasure
to hold daily and nightly meetings with the Honor
able members out Of this House, 20 discuss either
public or private affairs. But / know that n IIawai-
ian Legislature will not easily be misled when the
facts are fairly laid before it.