The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1880-05-15
LEGISLATIVE JorTIKcs.

Our weekly resume commences with a record OF
last Saturdays 18th May) proceedings. The first
petition filed was by Mr.. Wahine, and a most i'm
portant one it was, viz; 'That no more Chinese
be allowed to come into the Kingdom" The re-
port of the committee to whom this petition was
referred, lie looked forward to with no small
amount of interest. Several debates that took
place during the week have touched upon this
subject, which cannot but fail to bias the minds
of Spectators as to what will be the issue. The
facts and figures that have been adduced in favor
of the cessation of the immigration of this 'pecu-
liar race" incline us think the country can pros
per without them, and also suggest the idea of
asking how to best get rid of the 10, 900 or $4,000
who are already located here.
The usual amount of $15 900 was furnished for
current expenses of the Legislature, and various
applications for monies to be devoted to internal
improvements were ordered to be taken up with
the appropriation bill.
The modest request made by the Hon. member
for Koolauloa, that penknives should be supplied
to all members was readily acceded to, and it is
to be hoped that due precaution will be taken in
the use Of them, and not cut into matters too
deep or too fine.
On Monday the House was thronged with listen
es both native and foreign who sought to be en-
Iightened as to 90 The State of the Nation and the
means of averting the dangers that threaten
the Hawaiian Sovereign and People" The Hon.
| Mr.. Rhodes took as a basis for the support OF
his resolution the immigration question, and he
dwelt at length on the injuries the country had
suffered by the immigration of Chinese males
without females, and he pointed out the benefits
that might have been derived, had Indians and
their wives come in their stead. The diseases
| which 20 the n0untrv more panpcIaIIV lenrO-
sy, were assigned by him to be the cause of the
gradual but sure wasting of the Hawaiian race.
The discussion was resumed on Tuesday when
the House was treated to an address on
this important subject, by the Hon. w. NJ. Glib
son, who took a partially different view of the
means to avert danger, and his disquisition on
the subject of neutrality and independence OF
the country is worthy of the profound oonsidera-
ton of the Ministry. On being put to vote, the
further consideration of the resolution was i1deff-
nitely postponed, by an Notwithstanding major
ity.
Wednesdays proceedings opened with an I'M
expected but justiiable attack on the Press the
Gdsette) by the eloquent orator who represents
HiIo. The subject was the liquor license. He
pointed out that in Wednesdays Gazette that
he prayed for a liquor license. His petition was
that no license be granted. He drew the atten-
ton of the Assembly to a clause in the Penal
Code which provided imprisonment for the crime
of circulating false and malicious reports, but as
We presume there was no malice dIOT6tnOugDt w
hope our contemporary will not be punished. even
though a reference TO the files will show this is
not the first offence.
After disposing of various petitions by refer
ring them to the consideration of the respective
committees, the House was treated to a disserta-
ton on Artesian well-borIDg by the Hon. W. NJ.
Gibson, member for Lahaina. He asked that the
nominal sum of SO, 900 be placed at disposal of
the Minister of the Interior, to further artesian
well-boring on Government lands for the benefit
of the people, and also to assist private parties IN
boring under proper regulations Of the Interior
Department. He alluded in fitting terms to the
success that has attended the enterprise of Mr.. A.
Marques, who, after boring nearly 300 feet on a
harsh, rocky, unproductive spot, produced a foun-
tain OF sweet fertilizing waters. He said there
are a good many desert places in these islands
where a fountain of water would be like a mine
of gold. The resolution was referred to the Com
mittee of Public Lands and Internal improve
ments who will no doubt report fayorably to the
House.
Thursdays petitions were important, and
amongst them we were surprised to hear the Hon.
Member for Honolulu ask that all natives be al
lowed the use of wines and spirits. The Judici-
airy Committee will no doubt shortly furnish the
House with their views on this all important SUBJ
ject.
IAgaIn the Hon. w. NJ. Gibson brought for
ward a scientific project for the consideration of
the Assembly. 1t was the question of laying of
a submarine telegraph wire for inter-island and
continental communications. The matter having
been blinded to in the speech from the Throne,
he deemed it an important subject for considera-
ton.
A resolution that Mondays, Wednesdays and
Fridays be set apart for consideration of the ap-
preparation bill, was indefinitely postponed.
The Minister of the Interior informed the As
sembly that in his report a large sum was asked
for a complete survey of the islands, and when
accomplished he would be able to give q correct
list Of Government lands.