The Hawaiian gazette., 1881-09-21

The railroad from Mahukona through
the Kohala district is progressing well.
The men are now working on the twelfth
mile. Just below Mr. Renton's mill. Two
gulches have been crossed, and there is
another one to be met and overcome
shortly. One of the gulches was crossed
with curve of 95 feet radius on trestle-
work 1878 high. This is somewhat of
an engineering achievement Another
gulch is in prospect, known as the James
Woods gulch; this, Mr.. Wilder also hopes
to cross with a curve not exceeding the
radius and the height of trestle-work of the
one previously mentioned. The rails are
ON board the IoldRi, which arrived in port
yesterday morning, after passage of one
is hundred and fifteen days. As soon as she
unloaded, work will at once l1e commenced
laying the rails, and it is proposed to push
along at the rate of quarter of a mile a
day. This would complete the fist five
miles of the permanent way within a
month of the arrival of the vessel. By the
terms of Mr.. Wilder's contract, it is very
important to get this portion of the line
completed as soon as possible.
We are glad to hear of the continued
success Of this undertaking, There is no
doubt that it is going to make very great
change in Hawaii, and that it will prove
a very great boon to the planters and to
the whole population. We have not heard
as to which route will be followed after
leaving the station near Judge Harris mill
Whichever is followed, must open up new
country, and that means new and produc-
tive land to cultivate In our opinion the
greatest good will come from the class of
small farmers who will, we hope, settle
there. The Government should certainly
offer inducements to get such class upon
the land. 1t is the brain, bone and muscle
of the .froe laborer that will be the support
of law and order-upon whom the authori-
ties can lean and know that he will not
fail. The bond servant of the plantation
may be law-abiding and quiet, but he can
never have the spirit and the stability of
a free-holder of the soil, or of even the
farmer who cultivates his lands on lease
We desire to keep before our readers
the importance Of preparation for the next
Legislature. The workof law making is not
at present very scientific; it has not been
carried out, and, in fact, cannot be carried
out, with system like set of merchants
accounts. But it need not be so excess
ively crude as it is in this country. In
other constitutional countries there is
always a preparation for the Legislative
session. The Cabinet has a general policy
well understood by the people; and as we
lately pointed out constituencies are Wis
tied, speeches are made, abundant discus
sion in the press take place, so that, save
for exceptional circumstances. both the
Legislature and the public have good
notion of the work before them. Here the
case is quite different We drift along to
the first of May. The Cabinet has usually
no policy; or if perchance it has any, the
public does not know it. and unfortunately
does not care much about it. Nothing is
ready; the elected members, many of
whom are quite new to public life, and
very few of whom have the knowledge or
intelligence required to deal with large |
questions, bring forward the crudest and |
absurdest motions, so that the time and |
money of the country are wasted Such |
has undoubtedly been the state of affairs
in time past but we believe that since the |
last session there has grown up a stronger
political life, a wider and deeper earnest |
ness than for many years before. Now |
and for the next few months is the time to |
OIcCunS SOC4t1lN- uuu lLIOut5n the press. the /
changes in. legislation that may appear
desirable; and this is the opportunity, not
only for citizens and voters, but also for |
all residents who are not citizens, but have
high intelligence, to exert their due in
auence. Thus a solid body of public
opinion may be formed, that VIII be of
lncalculable value to our lawmakers and |
TO the Ministry, while the latter Will know
what . outside backing" they may expect
In the absence of public meetings and
the only field for the general
handling of political affairs would seem to
be the press. We shall gladly publish all
of value with which we
nay be favored, whether in accord with
our views or not. We-hope to see a vigor-
Jus, thoughtful discussion carried on.
Every man in the community is directly
Interested In good legislation; every man,
be only has his private interest at
art-and that is, after all low view to
axe, for he should have also the wider
interest of his adopted country in his
aind-should be on the alert now It is /