The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1880-04-24
THE PACIFIC
Commercial AObrrtisrr.
SATURDAY,. APRIL q.

HE MANTLE Of the impecuniOus author Of the
Hoapih-Baker manIfesto-or perhaps a frag-
ment Of it-seems to have fallen upon the edi-
tDriai shoulders Of tie Gazette, for that journal
this week, understanding that His Majesty de-
sires a loan-(by what authority does our neigh
Dor speak )-proposes that we proceed at once
to negotiate one for two millions Of dollars.
Now we might be inclined to respect the gal
liant Lieutenant's bold and siatesmanlike project
Of a ten million loan, on the recognized princi-
pie that lit j. a. well TO be hung for a sheep
a. a lamb It's sLeep-stealing either way
and If We are really going into this borrowing
business don't let u talk Of such small matters
as a beggarly couple Of millions. ''Drink deep.
or fa-te not the aurJsrOus spring"
A scintillation Of brilliant genius shines forth
in the GaSens's suggestion that as a matter Of
national policy Hawaii mel should borrow money
Of Uncle Sam; 90 that, we suppose, and as is
slightly limited, our venerable Uncle's cash
being here beyond the hope Of recall, he would
not dare 10 NEEDLE with our reciprocity treaty
for fear Of losing the interest on his money.
We might, however, question whether 90 small
a matter a. the interest on a debt Of two mil
lions would have such a wonderful influence to
affect our veal Or woe. But seriously, by the
growing cOmmerce and trade between us and the
United States which Is the natural and legiti-
mate outcome Of the treaty, are we not raising
up numerous and influential friends who will
earnestly work for its continuance whenever the
question shall come up?
Why are VIC asked to 60 abroad for a loan,
instead Of borrowing among our own people &?
The credit Of our government is good; govern
wuank L~-1a -. - " $500
Of moderate means as a safe mode of investment.
IL we really needed to borrow one or two mil
lions just at present, it is probable that the
money would be forthcoming among our own
people. But upon what shall we expend two
millions? The Gazette says-in deepening the
entrance to the harbor Of Honolulu in laying
submarine inter-island cables in constructing
island landings; a dry dock and city drainage.
But, it may be remarked, we cannot have any
very clear idea of the feasibility or cost of deepen
ing the mouth Of the harbOr without a costly
preliminary survey; telegraph cables would be OBJ
viously very desirable between the islands-but
does any one know what is the depth of water
in our island channels, or indeed If there is any
bottom to be found? And as to constructing
island landings on coasts where Nature con-
stantIy opposes the work with all her forces
it would be preferable and more economical to
lay out the money on a railway at the outset,
whereby the products of the country could be
transported to landings already provided to hand
by Nature herself. As to a system Of drainage or
sewerage for this city-a subject which we have
discussed at length in these columns in years
Past-It must be evident to even a superficial
observer, that the conformation of the ground on
which Honolulu is built will render extremely
costly the work of constructing and maintaining
a proper, safe and efficient system of sewerage.