The Hawaiian gazette., 1884-05-28
Remarks by a Spectator



A Spectator has read the pap.rs from timo 10
time. and listened to remarks frun different par
ties about matters and things here and he thought
be would vtntilate some Of his own ideas through
the pre>s He notices that some of the Honorable
members Of the Legislature prupo~c 10 reconstruct
the Sunday Law. II il can be ~ amended as TO
rrsrrre ~ soHcfifH. To those who value it for its
sacfed associations and purposes, and still leave
% those of different views all reIso8aJi, liberty it
would 10 be desirable, and would also remove
frotn the statute, law. sOmR parts of which can
not i'e enforced and probably never have been.
lhe law is very old une. Chief Justice Lee.
the oumpiier and eiiior Of the Penal Code Of lol
while engaged m this work IN ls47-S. invited n
Resident to listen tu ~0nr pnrtiouS OF n. Judge
Lee inquired what b. Thought ut this law (Which
an old one and then - nov not enforced J.
The resident replied. When u law is not en-
icrcrd had IL not better be reno I'd from the Stat
uts Book. The Judge answered that he thought
y was sos'efi,s better TO have law on the Statute
Book though not generally enforced 30 apply to
aggrHrufod oascs freH nt,y UocHgyed. This law will
meet such cases as the Bulletin supposes II il
eSn BE- improved by amendment let il be amended
bat do not deprive the Government of the power
20 deal With such cases.
An increase u offices and of salaries is A tonic
81 discussion. To the spectator II does not seem
m upportune time for such action, when the great
staple OF the country, the foundation of its pros
Pcflty, rs depressed 90 an almost ruinOus price
and the Offices are as numerous and the salaries
tnofe liberal than are paid for similar services IN
more Weslthy and nore populous communities
when TIE English and French statisticinns tell
~ That the prices of the neoessaries of life with
The exception Of beef in Encland) and rents have
rarely II ever been 50 cheap in England and con
un-ntal Europe. Wheat the great staple of most
oFiinea countries has not been low before but
Vhcc IN tue present century. These low prices
nave preoipltHteO widespread agricultural and
commercial depression with many failures in the
rreAt centres Of commerce. Shrnkare of property
oll,iga eullnAaee OF revenue. and calls the state
Nao Community 10 the exercise of a wise and rigid
sconomy. When prices and properly and revenue
Are diminishing 1t does not seem a tim. for AN in
crease Of offices and salaries
The subject OF the currency ses.,ns t DO , s,,r-o
NJ great anxiety to the public mind and egislafrs
are moving for revision Os the laws on thi- su,-
1ect- The coinage law OF 1881 was upcaIlrd for
"1sa'e. ~ lhe country produces no gold or sill
Nct Us commerce both before and since the
treaty Nak and Is chiefly with the United St,tss.
naturally - frum its adjacent Il.ation and -
shisi psoaa9ts g, being such are wanted IN the
STATES eau inslS such as are needed In pvrba,os
for own. The United Sta,,s r1r, - - e.AnSe
aud l. tie most couvenient and nr,stSi - - - ~,
Islands. for it value here aud thrs I; i. ~ s,e
equal for clrcula latlon; and tue addition % a ~ ~
uaiizn coinage is more added to ibas ~ ma
ones Whicl. already have, which ~ ,.,
bullion vaiue in the United states 'iNs !"
II by agreement the Hawaiian and Units,s So
ooinace could be made identical in its cirrnin,
yalue both therc and here then this obisctir,,
would Be removed; but any such agreement Is Quit
irnprubabie. II one were possible, IL should hAv,
lbesu c,ssumrated before any coinage was made
and been attended with some expense which til,
Circulation u United States currency only xoul,
hsve ayoidrd.
A. thing are, the adoption Of the United State,
currency upon the leid and silver standard 'rtic
nr,naar fss1r. would seem 10 the spectator TO b
the wisst settlement VI the present difficulty. AM
he value Of the GUNS Of all other nations, he woull
tec1mmend % the Privy council 70 fix at wha
they arr received Tor AZ the United States Castor
HOuse- riiis plan has no more inconvenisnce
than sahcrs and It would place the currency on
stable foundation. Other currencies than thos
q the {. S. might be received by our merchant
frun trzvelers and reInitted If need be vithuu
nny creater loss.
Our commercial relations with the United State
are likely 10 continue, and the growing commerc
of the Pacific is likely 10 make il more and mon
cosmopolitan and whilst travellers from diheren
pzrts passing through, viii find it convenient oc
clsiunally ~ exchange their cOins here for mer
czndisr ur other consideration, il will be for Ha
uaiian Interest ~ encourage IL, If they Can be us
fur remittances TO The United States, with whicl
tie bulk Of our commerce must continue to be.