The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1885-10-24

CONSUL GENERAL PUTNAM ON HAwA-
HAN AFFAIRS.


The Chillicothe "LeAder," am infu-
entail Ohio newspaper, has published
a four column letter on Hawaiian
affairs, from the practiced pen of
Consul General John IT, Putnam. 1t
is one of the most * austive papers
on our national affairs that we have
read, dealing as it does with the re-
sources, trade and products Of the
Kingdosn, az we'll as with its social
and political methods. The Chilli
Gothic editor appreciates this fact, for
In Enthusiastically breezy display
heading he says: "COnsul General
J6hn H. Putnam, of the Hawaiian
Kingdom, nibs fresh quill, and with
an intellectual swing that becomes a
Consul General, writes to the readers
of the Leader q letter, between
every line of which repOses a bed of
sweet-scented flowers, and yet to
every character of which there
cIings an instructive fact" This
characterization is true. His de-
scription Of the voyage from the
Esszsz ANA asasss EsaxsE fiss IN
ings Of Honolulu, he becomes eIo-
quent. This city presented novel and
fascinating scene to him on his arrival,
aud he wisely noted down his inn
pressfons while they were fresh and
--sfvfca.
Coming to more practical details,
Consul General Putnam is equally at
L.
tatisn of our staple products and
trade, and traces the development of
sur immigration and labor systems.
There are now. he says, $4,000 Chi
nese, 1900 Portuguese and between
two end three thousand Japanese i'm
the Islands. He continues:
TO deal with 50 mucL ignorance, diversity
Of habits. variety of interests, and to har-
monize the grasping tendency of the en-
ployer and the impractical demands of labor
when concentrated in unreasoning masses,
is the herculisn task the Government has
undertaken. and i think with resolution
and patriotism which bode good results.
But at best. the Ministers are not reclining
on bed OF roses, especially as they are
countering very active opposition, which.
like the opposition in All other coun tries, is
furnishing more impediments than assist
ance.
Speaking of our political system
Mr.. Putnam makes the following
sensible and welI-chOsen remarks:
The Government is somewhat peculiar.
It's forms aud laws are largely modelled after
our own, and if it was not for the knowledge
that we have King, it would be hard to
recognize that We are not enjoying the pre-
negatives of a Republic. But this is an
elective monarchy the present King owing
his right to govern to the voice of the peo-
ple, a. expressed through their Representa-
tivss, and therefore differs, but in the official
tenure Of the Chief to our own form of gov
eminent. The Legislature is elected by the
people, who must present tax receipt to
entitle them to vote. A House of Mobiles,
appointed by tile King. sits with them,
do also the Ministers. All have u vote, q
veto being reserved for the Sovereign, which
is final, no two-thirds vote being able to
sTertarn it. There is u Governor foI each
Of the Islands, and very excellent Judiciary
system. There is no navy and no army,
u VI SudEuS anu q lew
excellent independent companies. The
property tax is the lightest l have ever
known, being only seventyive cents on the
hundred dollars. The revenues of the Gov
ernment are mostly derived from import and
special taxes. Every variety of business is
required to pay special tax upon the sales
of all articles manufactured outside of the
Kingdom. Tie liquor interest is especially
sailed" It has to pay an import duty OF
three dollars per gallon all sIcoholic
spirits, aud u license OF one thousand dol
lars par year I'd sell it. And yet the saloon
i4t hourisheth by retailing it at twenty five /
sssnts tablespoonful, or whereabouts. There
is also poll tax on all adults, u tax ON con-
ssy4Ress, 0H immigrants and emigrAnt.,
sud it seems that the burdens have been
80 eguitablg distributed. that while the sum
raised is iaYxe, it does not bear heavily.
This testimony from an Intelligent /
stranger, holding an office of great