Saturday press. [volume] (Honolulu, H.I.) 1880-1885, 1884-08-02
SPRETkELS', OK THE PEOPLE's
RIGIIJS

aiN -
SPEErkELs', OK THE PEOPLE's
RfGIiTsy
We intimated in a recent issue that
we were little sceptical as to the
magnitude OF meaning contained in
the recent message OF the king to the
legislative assembly, and intimated our
disapproval of all premature demons
tration in the matter. Both opinions
have been fully sustained by what has
since transpired, and the most sanguine
then are now able to- see that, despite
the message, there exists as great a
determination upon the part OF the
king and Mr.. Spreckels to hold by the
Gibson cabinet as ever. Those who
headed the jubilee procession, in an.
swer to their congratulations to his
majesty, were very politely reminded
that they had magnihed small matter {.
and so it has proven. Even had these
sangulne expectations been realized in
the institution OF a proper system OF
rctrcnchment and the dismissal of the
cabinet, there would have been more
justice in congratulating those of the
legislature who, through their persevcr
ing and determined fight against bad
government, had been instrumental in
accomplishing such an end, than in
congratulating those who simply yielded
a trophy they were unable longer TO
keep. We stand among those who
disapproye of anything which has the
Semblance of besging for rights, and
among those who, while willing to
bestow all praise where it truly belongs,
see no necessity for its lavishment upon
those who, only after a desperate fight,
are induced to give what belongs to us
1t is a fact, painful 10 admit, but never
theless acccded on all sides that this
government, for the last two years, has
been run in the interests of Mr.
Spreckels; and today his dictation of
the national policy is still submitted to-
1t is this fact that is at the bottom of
all political friction that is hindering
the machinery of government to-day
Because Jir. .Sb,e6keLS cannot be con
vlnced that the present ministers are
either inefficient or corrupt, they must
remain, Notwithstanding that an over
whoming majority OF the whole people
are against their continuance In Office,
and that they are even disuusted by
those who are paid 10 support them
"Where the treasure is, there will the
heart be also, and 1t requires no very
fai-seein2 eye to discern the cord that
binds Mr.. Spreckels and the present
ministry together. Illegal acts done in
the interests OF Mr., Spreckcls can have
no better protectors than those who
have been instrumental in their accom-
pishment, and no worse eXposerS, in
the case of their dismissal, than the
men most intimately connected with
the manipulation OF their details
What may come of illegal leases and
doubtful bonds, in the event of the
dismissal of the Gibson cabinet, is too
serious consideration to be passed
over lightly by one so largely interested
as MIR. Spreckels, to say nothing OF
further promises and the continued
prospect OF shaping governmental
actions to personal ends To these
considerations there night be dash
of gratitude added, for the favors re
ceived at the hands of the cabinet.
The transfer Of the Wailuku lands was
among the first acts in which the Glib
cabinet cha,uAl ,h.t.
TO save Mr.. Spreckels, and their dis
position to save him in other matters
since has only been measured by his
desire to be saved. There is nothing
that he has wanted that it was in their
power TO give, that he has not had
During the two years that Gibson has
been the guiding star of the govern
ment he has stood in the light of an
lshmael with his hand against the com
munity and the communiiys hand gen
orally against him, and mainlyfo the Tor
going reason. But people have long
spoken in bated breath OF Mr.. Sprcckcls,
and 1t was only the aagrant bank charter
scheme, and the known favor il had al
the hands of the Gibson admini,tra-
ton, that aroused the people to q
proper sense OF threatening danger
tha, would allow OF limid speech nc
longer, 1t may be all very nice TO say
now that the ministry voted against
il and that Mr.. Spreckcls himself had
never read the bill. but, after ponder
ing ii well, had disappro,ed of it. We
however incline TO the more natural
belief that the strong public opinion
against it, iearessly expressed, was wha,
Influenced the ministerial vote and that
caused the bank charter men to with
draw their bin. In this matter We have
seen what determined stand for right
has done. II Was the combined
sentimelL OF the rich and the poor
the merchant and the lawyer, the musi
ciaD, the artisan and the common la
borer, that was heard and listened to
call them ''missionariesr and 'sore
heads il you viii; and il IS this same
combined voice that will always be
listened TO when IL Is raised. The
people to-day are asking for right.
common 10 all and guaranteed by the
constitution, and ii is no answer te
their request to call them an ''ocean OF
nobodies. because, perchanoe, some
OF their number have no vote. People
who pay taxes for the support OF gov
eminent Aats rsAfs, whether by treat,
OF otherwise, and whether OF not the
right Of ballot be among them the,
are worthy OF being heard.
I've got all bun two Of the import