The Hawaiian gazette., 1883-04-04

not as great as now Kamehameta V was
a man Of will, and supported his officers
when their line Of action was decided up
on; the health laws were enforced with
firmness. and the results were marked
Lunalilo, during his brief reign, support
ed his Cabinet in the performance Of their
duties: his Minister Of the Interior and
President Of the Board Of Health, Mr. E.
O. Hall, enforced the health laws with
great efficiency. Mr. Halls firmness, tenn
pered with kindness. and supported by
the will Of the Sovereign accomplished
great results during that year. In no sin
gle year did the Board show more ethcien-
cy. or do better work than in the year OF
Lunalilo's reign.
Since KalaEaua became King, changes
in the Ministry have been very frequent,
and with each change there has been
new President OF the Board During the
past nine wears there have been not less
than seven Presidents Of the Board Of
Health Among the evils resulting from
this condition Of affairs has been the lack
Of uniformity in the course pursued.
1t has been impossible tc maintain any
policy Each President has had his own
views and theories. and followed his own
plan Moreover. each Of them has at the
same time held the Office Of Minister. and
been so engrossed with the duties Of one
or more departments, that proper time and
thought have not been devoted to health
matters The tenure of Office has been so
uncertain that the effect on the Ministers
has been damaging The term Of Office in
some instances has been so brief that there
was no time to acquire q knowledge q. the
details Of the Office nor TO learn what
previously had been tried. The results Of
the experience Of former incumbents are
not fully ascertained. The reports Of ply
sicians employed by the Board and Of
agents. may have impressed the officer
who received them. but his successors
learned little or nothing Of them. There
are valuable reports from physicians Of in
telligence and skill, among these papers
Of the Board. treating Of vital questions,
which reports we venture TO say have been
read by no one save the President to whom
they We're addressed
The tendency Of the public administTa
ton since 1874 has been demOralizing
And now we are reaping the natural con
sequences Of the course pursued, and are
forced 10 meet issues OF deep significance.
The people have rights which they must
protect, and they viii be compelled TO rise
TO the occasion. 1t is the duty Of every
citizen to ascertain the causes Of existing
evils, and then 10 attack those causes with
determination. If one cause is a vacillat-
ing and weak administration, IT Is the pre-
rogatiye Of the people to assert their right
TO good government and take means to
prevent such weakness. The c0ntending
forces which are making the future are
at work, and whether We sit idly by, and
supinely permit that future to be such as
will bring disaster. or awake 10 the situa
ton Is for rs 10 decide
The question. whether il Is better that
the Board Of Health be an adjunct Of the
Ministry. or composed Of independent per
sons. Is one which should be considered.
II the tenure Of Office of the President and
members Of such Board be no more stable
than that Of Ministers. the advantages Of
such plan would be slight But if the
tenure could be so made a. 10 retain men
in Office SO long as they proved themselves
capable and efficient. it would be a great
gain Such a Board should be subordi.
nate to the general government. under
proper limitations. ami should not only
have the right TO call on the government
for support when needed. but be vested
with power to carry ont their own plans.