The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1880-08-07

{ mlnl6tratlO0 OF the bOdrQ.. III .ICSdI0 " INC
matter of division of couDsels a lameDtabie weak
ness was seen recently. The strongest possible
support was given by one Minister to the subsidy
for a China Steamer line, while his colleagues
strongly opposed it. In regard TO the Coronation
bill il has been stated, how could they know OF
the measure If some one did not tell them? How
could they get hold of such a bill unless some one
put it in their hands This brings forward
another point in the indictment. They are not
in harmony in the desire and wish OF Coronation;
a point of concurrence 10 the wish OF dis Majesty.
There was also the introduction of a message
from His Majesty to consider. Does 1t not show
that there is no accord between the Ministers
and the Sovereign. This instance of a Minister
not being in unison with the Sovereign recalled
to his mind an instance that is mentioned IN the
inspired book, of a Minister OF King Davld's,
who had been a trusty counselor, but alter a
time his counsel was ignored. and what did he
do? He saddled his ass, took himself home and
hanged himself. That was an act of high minis
terial honor. He did not wish it to be understood
that our Minister should follow this plan, but
he should consider it a fitting opportunity for him
to return to his lumber yard and there serve a
grateful public with profit 10 himself.
One gentleman especially in the Ministry will
no doubt be profuse in his expression on the
point of his desire for the good and welfare of the
country. There are various influences recognized
elsewhere In the administration of the Govern
ment. Influences which bind men together that
have different views in general. A great Ameri-
can statesman named Marcy, called it the
cohesive power of the public plumber. This kind of
cohesive influence of men that strive to maintain
power in their hands has been termed a ''ring." In
regard to the illustration of the ''ring'' that we
are considering, that binds certain parties with
the Government,-there has been mentioned the
POmdre. 1t was stated by the Minister of the
Interior that this vessel was purchased by the
Board of Immigration. Now who comprise the
Board of immigration? The Minister of the In
terror, Minister Of Finance and MIR. w. l.. Green.
He would say this in regard to 50 rings The
very day the Appropriation Bill was passed, the
POmdre was purchased by the Board of Immigra-
ton from w. l.. Green, a member of that Board.
Rings have been regarded as very fatal. Now the
attention of this Assembly was especially direct
ed to the influence that maintain the government
officers in their position, and which had formed
the subject of a resolution. Now the first name
at the head of the list Of the publication that
brought forward the resolution was Hackfeld &
Co., very excellent gentlemen, but especially
agents of a very large lumber business. Now
the principal party connected with them in the
lumber business is the Minister of the Interior.
They are the foremost parties in lifting up this
gentleman for the admiration of this Assembly
The very next name is W. l.. Green, a member
of the Board of Immigration, and owner of the
old vessel that was purchased. Thus we see the
influence OF a 80 ring " in Identifying these par
ties. This matter is regarded as enterprise.
When we have a bank or treasury to draw upon
then it is a very easy thing to carry out enter
prise. But it In these purchases, they are of a
character not to the best advantage of the
country, but to some private interest. such as the
purchase of an old vessel, and the fitting of her
out, amounting to some Sl4, 900 or more, in that
case he could hardly consider it judicious enter
prise. 1t may be advantageous to buy an old
vessel you can expend on her a large amount of
lumber, paints, oils and other things. This is
no doubt enterprise. But it is also the cohesive
influence that unites a ring In all great
enlightened countries it is a practice that the
head of the government should be separated from
the cares and trials of business. For instance the
Premier OF England and the Secretaries of the
United States. Some time ago, when gentlemen
were chosen they withdrew from business and
gave every evidence that they were going to
serve the government and do nothing else. Mr..
Wyllie, one of the best Ministers this Govern
ment ever had, was occupied solely with his
official duties. When the celebrated General
Grant was President of the United States, he
appointed a certain gentleman as Secretary of
State, but the law would not permit him to oc-
cupy the post because he was in business. This
was Mr.. A. L. Stewart, a millionaire. The
head of a Government should be clear of all con-
tracts and business, as the association gives rise
to suspicion. Therefore it certainly should be
the duty of this Legislature. in guarding the
honor OF the Kingdom, to endeavor to give its
voice and its vote for a minister devoted solely to
the welfare of the country instead of those who
are connected with business. We see that all
the movements to intermeddle with this Assem-
bly, by circulars or through newspapers are raised
by gentlemen connected with the Ministry, not
regarding the nation or welfare of the country,
but merely in behalf of men who are identified
with their interests.
These influences which support the Ministry
would try to persuade us that we are rushing the
country into danger, because we have voted a
subsidy for a certain line of steamships. What
does it arrive from ? Because there is an apparent
opposition that might be detrimental to our spe-
III Eo.A.1l liz l. 49,, -
worthy Minister of the Interior said it was going
to affect a certain treaty. He had a great res
pect for all treaties, especially that treaty with
America. But there is a continued attempt
made by certain parties in this Assembly
to say that this treaty is in danger. He
doubted if the United States would notice our
policy, or if we should even see a paragraph In
the papers on the subject, as they are too much
occupied with their domestic policy. There
might possibly be some unpleasantness with
some interested gentlemen in San Francisco, be-
cause we have not confined our attentions ex-
clusiyely to them. While maintaining every re-
spect for that treaty, yet he would demur with
the statement that unless that treaty is main
tanned our existence is jeopardised. These are
the common remarks that are made, and if true,
Hawaii is no longer independent, but an humble
dependent at this day. That treaty was an act
of kindness for a small benefit. Such also was
the treaty with Great Britain in 1851. We had
not TO strive for it, nor had we to pay anything for
IL. lDcIcIOEC, z uc bOb BiNO Jul W
words that come from outside, that there is dan
ger in this or that, and that the loss of that
treaty is going to bring ruin on our political and
social condition. Let US pursue our policy to
the best of our judgment, aud the great powers
of the earth will look down on US kindly in con-
sequence Of our carrying out our domestic policy.
We have nothing to fear from any hostile powers
by the action of this Assembly, but we have to
fear from the cohesive influences of a ring.
As has been observed elsewhere, there is nothing
more injurious to a country than the actions of
a lot of people, who by priority of arrival try
to preserve all the advantages from others, except
TO those who may toady to this especial influence.
1t would be unfortunate if the people should
monopolise and constitute themselves a mutual
admiration society. But If they become a sland-
erous association there is regret that they have so
descended. The point and object of the resolution
is directed against a certain . ring who con-
tinue to keep among themselves all these in6uen-
ces, position and emoluments. He rejoiced in
nI