Saturday press. [volume] (Honolulu, H.I.) 1880-1885, 1882-12-09

Hawaiian people. 1t is at all Times and in all
countries, where modern systems of govern
menl prevail, ono of the principal problems
ptescnte,lfor official solution, and the he,lthml
administration of public affairs, as well As the
eontenimen, and prosperity Of the people, de-
pend langley upon the propriety Of the system
adopted and the ability Of its execution. Pres
consideration Of these universally admitted
truths and a careful analysis OF the system nov
in operation proves unmistakahly the existence
in largc degree Of corruption, culpable neg.
lcct and eross ineficicnoy on the part Of those
officials who are responsible fot the proper
| execution Of this branch Of the public service,
demoraliEing TO the eontentmcut OF the people
and dangerous to the stability Of government
that fosters and is responsible fot such state
OF affairs Jealous as the present administra-
| ton pretends to bc of its reputation abroad it
must feel It's fine "a scnSibilities rudely shaken
by the published record Of the people Of IN en-
tire taxation district rising ~ afdI5e, and in a
public meeting adopting resolutions OF unquali-
fed prutcst against the conduct OF the govern
ment appointcc in their district; also express
| ing in severe terms their disapproval Of the
questionable discretion exhibited by the zap
pointing power. The people Of flilo district
which prevails throughout the Kingdom, and
the record has gone abroad as added evidence
Of governmental incapacity. Who is respon-
sihle2
Evidently the "powers that be" have had
their attention too fully occupied by ito theml
more important subjects. 4 question OF uni
ycrsal interest. an ineShaustible subject OF
argumen, and theory, the frequent cause Of po-
litical revolution in older. wiser and R,pggc,
governments than this, the rock upon which
eminent political economists have split in their
theories as to an equitable system, such sub.
ljec, is plainly not to be compared in the minds
OF foyir with the organization Of an iRitoSing(PJ
military force and a coronation farce which can
only provoke the ridiculc Of the civilized
world. Surely We have fallen upon evil times.
1t is iavoh,e boas, Of the present adminis,ra-
tion that the rate Of taxation is remarkably
low quarters of one per cent.-and that
in this particular the people Of Hawaii are
especially favored above the people OF almost
any other country in the world. Admitted
that the ,nie is low, it does not follow that
taxation is low. There may be such thing
as excessive valuations, OF, il property has in
creased in value 50 that with economical ap-
preparations and expenditures reduced rate
would suffice the just needs OF the nation, then
the people are entitled TO the difference, not
withstanding the present rate may be low; but
when the people are taxed TO meet extravagant
appropriations and useless expenditures, then
is taxation high, We may not criticisc the
system of record now prevailing, although a
certain government sinecurist was months in
labor trying to bring forth an exhibi, which
would contradict the statement presented by
the tax collector during the legislative session,
and for the purpose of misleading our foreign
ncighbors. He must have been chagrined to
witness the utter ruin OF his purpose by the re-
port Of the trustees of the Planters Labor and
Supply Company in this terse and compre-
hensive statement; ''In short, the sugar plant,
ers directly and indirectly pay more than four
ffths Of all the revenues OF the government
from taxation.
Although the entire system may be faulty,
and ii is doubtful il in this we have kept pace
with our commercial progress, ye, the mos,
conspicuous faul, Of which We are at pIesen,
the victims is that OF venal appointments, and
to this fault IS directly traceable mos, Of the
complaints and political unrest of the common.
wealth. 1t cannot but result in serious dam.
lage to our reputation rs 4 nation; and that
branch Of the public service relating TO taxa
ton is not the only sufferer from a lack oI
wisdom tpuIting it mildly on the part of the
appointing power" The entire government
service suffers from this weakness, but, for ex-
ample, in this connection We will briefly re-
view the system OF appointing tax assessors.
The law says: "The minister OF finance, with
the approval Of the King, shall appoint annu
ally, on OF before the first day of July. asses.
sors, etc"
This is all right as far as i, goes, but the Law
verified in Hawaiian experience. 1t presumes
that the King and his responsible ~ cabinet
minister are above prostitu,ing the interests ol
the people so favoritism and vcnality. II pre-
sumes that men Of ability and business expert.
enee commanding the confidence OF the district
they are appointed to assess, will be selected.
II prcsumes that some Difference will be shown
to the wishes Of those who contribute the ina
jor part Of the nations revenue; and il is he
cause these legal presu.npiions have not been
verified. OF the slightest respect paid to them,
that dissatisfaction and distmsi so largely pre-
vail.
The position Of tax. assessor is very i'm.
poriani one in this county, when the fixing o
propeuy valuation Is lef, 50 largely to the
ljudgmen, Of tina, official; more especially as
values are so rapidly changing under grea,
commercial advantages. And man who does
not possess sound judgment with regard to
propeuy, who has no, an intimate knowledge
Of the commercial progress OF the country, and
who has no, hal the benefit Of business expert
ence, Is in no way qualified foE the position.
Look oSef the list Of assessorS Who have been
Indicted upon the Hawaiian Isople and how
many will you ind possessing these qualiica.
,ionsi The fosbcarnee Of the people On this
subject has been remarkable. And the most
surprising feature oi il all IL that similar action
10 that of Iiilo District has no, h,-a frequent.
Many u the present assessors were members
of the late iarcieal legislature and secured their
positions no doala as reward for eonup, lex
slation. No o,her reason can be assigned 60,
their appointment, As proper qualification fos