The Hawaiian gazette., 1884-09-03

senco Of their supporters, the son-in-laW Of thu
Minister Of Foreign Affairs performing the duties
Of "whipper in with noticeable zest aud vicof
At 1915 Governor Dominis, who had been sent
for. arrived. as also Representative Richardson.
In answer TO a question from the Minister Of
Foreign Affairs the President stated that there
was a quorum (26) present, then the minutes OF
the meeting previous, were read and, after some
slight changes. approved. e. il1ssfHf. il may be
mentioned that Representative Richardson was
present hardly Of his own accord, but more IN re
sponss 70 positive order from Governor Dozninis,
who, knowing his whereabouts commanded his
presence.
During the reading Of the minutes Representa-
tive Richardson became hdgety aud at the close
he left the Hall, the Assembly being thus again
without quorum.
Tho Attorney General remarked that it might
be as we'll that the Messenger be instructed 10
notify the members of the Opposition that a
quorum nus present 50 that those abssnfees
might come in and take part IN the proceedings
President Rhodes said that he was sorry TO state
that there was not quorum only . members be
ing present
Richardson but before his capture was effected
Honorable Noble C. Il. Bishop arrived, his pre-
being greeted with applause By the adherents
OF the Government and n lu1o the regular pus-
mess was proceeded with.
No reports from standing or select committees
At loss Representative kaulukoa moved the
order Of the day thus bringing up for hnal reading
and passage the bill to Indemnify the Minister OF
Finance in the sum Of Sl7iOuO.
Hon. j. Mott Smith moved an amendment to
the first section, that the following words be
added,-'that the Minister OF Finance shall render
an account Of this sum So, s263 for Government
Buildings and Hospitals 70 this Assembly AZ It's
next session. He understood that item TO have
been explained at the last session rs for public
buildings in course OF erection. Inc Rouse hAd
no knowledge as 10 how. that money had been ex-
pended up TO the close Of the last period. The
setting aside of public moneys for specified pur-
pose and then taking them out Of the accounts
L a. 80 at
deal of suspicion to say the least IL puts any
Government that practices It IN an unfortunate
position as regards their own characters- This
was not the first time in the history OF the oyern-
ment that the practice had been followed. In
former case il was n matter that was deprecated
very strongly by this Assembly IL was due 10 this
Assembly aud to future ones that moneys should
DO expended IN accordance with the terms OF
their appropriation and that when appropriations
are diverted accounts OF their expenditure shall be
rendered to the Assembly. At the last session the
Appropriation Bill was amended 50 as to take
away entirely from the Ministers the power OF
transferring appropriations, and 1t was thought
that would act a check against using any appro-
priation not authorized by tho bill. The transfer
system, though Disappointing, was followed by the
indemnity system, which was as dangerous as the
transfer system. 1t was impossible for that de-
Lucrative Assembly to pass appropriations that
would meet every exIgency of Government. While,
however, the Assembly would overlook ordinary
cases of diyerting appropriations IN emergencies'
II was too much to ask the members TO support the
Government in the misapplying Of such an amount
as this. He would have liked 10 have these items
explained at length and voted for their discussion
in detail the other day.
Hon. j. II. s. Martin and Representative Dole
arrived during the delivery of Hon. Smiths re
marks.)
Representative Dole understood this was the
money drawn from the treasury Just before the
close Of the last biennial period. Money was taken
from its ostensible purpOse-nOt expended but
kept in an envelope, pcrh1ps-and unless that
mbney can be accounted for It might be spent for
any possible purpose, even stolen, because II has
been reported to this House expended for hospi-
tails and public buildings He was not quite salts
fed that an account Of that money would be given
next session, hut IL the amendment carried 1t was
the best they could do. -
The Attorney General said the Audit Act did
not prohibit the withdrawal OF moneys from tn Q
general fund which had been appropriated by the
Legislature. This WAS not an instance where
Minister has drawn funds which were committed
to his care and placed them to his own account IN
the Bank. After those contracts had been entered
into the Minister of Finance asked him what, he
should do after the amounts were exhausted, and
he told him to draw from the general fund to meet
hose payments. Under Section II OF the Act OF
1882 creating the office of Auditor General could
be found full warranty for everything that had
been done with reference to that S5lVJO. AZ hrst
it looks like gOod question to attack the Minis
try on but it would look better II those members
had made fair and full statement to the Assem-
bly. The accounts Of every transac ton could be
found in the office of the Minister OF Finance ana
of the Auditor General
Honorable @. Il. Bishop said it was intended by
the Constitution, the laws and the practice OF the
country that no money should be put aside IN bank
or elsewhere. The money having been once in the
hand of the Minister he might as we'll have de
posted it in his own safe as anywhere else. Arti-
Gle - of the Constitution shows how strict the
Legislature should be in the matter OF appropri-
atoms It provides very carefully and specifies
certain contingencies for which money might be
appropriated and that a detailed account Of It
should be rendered to the Legislature. Here has
been large amount set aside for some purpose
and no detailed account has been rendered. lie
believed it was money which properly belonged TO
roads and bridges. The road tax had been paid
into the Treasury, and the law says that money
shall be expended in districts where itis collected,
for improvement Of the roads. There was not
enough money in the Treasury to put aside this
large sum without using that money, and IN that
way preventing its in those districts where 1t
belonged Certainly the Government had no right
10 use this road money, whatever right they hadtO
money in the general fund. There was plenty OF
warning at the last Legislature to have deferred
the Minister from any action of that sort Trans
fers to a certain extent were really bonehcia to
the country but the system finally grew into an
abuse Some Of the gentlemen in the present
Government were very strong in their condemnn-
ton of the former Ministry and took great credit
for striking out the transfer section from the APP
preparation Bill. II was less objectionable to him.
however, to have reasonable transfers than the
taking of so much money without any appropri-
alton whatever. 1t WUulu De remembered ON Hont
who were in the last Legislature that there was an
attempt made to put clause in the Audit Act
that should allow transfers. The Legislature
struck that out, showing that the intention was TO
hold the Government TO a very strict account in
expanding public moneys and prevent them being
used for any other purpose than as provided IN
the Appropriation Bill. There were some parts OF
this Indemnity Act for which he would be very
willing TO vote il it were considered item by item,
but as whole he should be Obliged to vote against
1t.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs recalled to mind
the honorable mobiles reference to last session
and said he was one Of the Ministers who desired
and advocated that provision should be made for
transfers. He was certainly opposed To anything
that would defeat the purpose Of the Legislature
He thought it was defeating the purpose OF the
Legislature when money appropriated for hos
pitfalls was expended upon the palace; when money
appropriated for education was expended upon
the military and money intended for completing
a road was applied for completing statue In
transfers Of that kind the intention, the purpose,
the will of the Legislature was completely de-
feated. Take now one Of these items-as far as
he could recall $1,000 or thereabouts expended FOR
leper settlements more than had been apprOpu-
ased. Surely the Legislature intended them to
complete that work Could II be said that was as
bad as money alienuted from its object More
money was expended upon the insane asylum and
support of prisoners and other items, than the
appropriations Yet he would consider it repre-
heasible of the Ministers 10 have stopped those
services. He joined with others In supporting the
amendment Of the honorable noble.
Honorable G. Il. Bishop said, His Excellency
spoke of money for schools being expended for
something else. He did not remember of that, bot
certainly 1t was done by the present Government.
The Ministers started in with larger receipts than
ever before but the treasury had been during part
Of the period, practically bankrupt. The Board
of Education could not get money because it was
used for something else.
On being put to vote the Amendment proposed,
was carried.
The bill, as thus amended was placed for pas
SAGE and did pass, "the Rubicon" safely, only
Hons c. r.. Bishop and Smith and Representative
Dole displaying objection, by appraised hands, on
the no side.
The bill to repeal an Act Of 1878 to provide for
lighting tho city Of Honolulu with gas was read
third time and then indefinitely Postponed
The bill 10 amend the law regulating the sale
of spirituous liquors, read third time and
passed
There being nothing more at hand from the
engrussng committee, the Assembly, at noon,
took a recess until 13O pm.
AFTERNOON.
Twenty minutes after the time set a sufficient
number Of tho sapiegt solons to constitute
quorum, were in place and the following business
was transacted,
The bill TO amend the Civil Code relating to
licenses for vctualling houses waa read a third
time, and, indefinitely postponed,
bill relating TO communications with foreign
countries. requiring all such 10 be written in
Hawaiian and the language Of the country where
sent, indefinitely postponed.