The Daily bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Hawaii]) 1882-1895, 1885-07-20
PRIVATE NOMINATIONS.

The SATURDAY Press, discussing
the "next campaign" says, "Sev-
eral Independents of tried character
have consented to run next year.
If this refers to members of the
present Legislature, who have been
faithful to the confidence reposed in
them, and shown capacity for their
duties, it is, perhaps, all right. 1t
is only fair that such men should
have the first offer of popular sup
port, particularly if nothing can be
urged against their record. But, if
we are to have popular representative
institutions after the best models, at
least the formality of asking them
to stand should be observed. A
while ago there was a discussion in
the press concerning the apathy of
young men toward politics. On
that occasion q writer in a late con-
temporary pointed out, as one of
such causes, that the interest and
sympathies of young men were not
solicited, and that there was no Or
ganization here to enlist their sup
port or through which they could
work. That was point well-taken.
There can never be sturdy public
opinion here, having a potent influ-
ence upon the administration of
affairs, until those who profess re-
gard for government in the interest
of the people manifest Il willingness
to have their own aspirations con-
trolled by the popular will. Mr..
Marques is not the only one who has
asked, respecting the above state
ment of our weekly contemporary,
who has asked the consenting in
dependent politicians to run next
year. If the names of these candi-
dates are such as to inspire con-
fidence and command support, why
should they be nominated in secret
cabal! Perhaps, however, there is
more in the statement of the Press
than was intended. From the posi-
ton hitherto taken by the paper
named, it would be natural to infer
that the promised announcement OF
candidates names awaited their sub
mission to popular convention. Ii
would be highly inconsistent on the
part of that journal, after all it has
said during the past year, to be
privy to dctatorial nomination OF
candidates by a clique. Until il
rises and explains, therefore, VIC
shall confine ourselves to depreca.
ton of any such procedure as the
announcement on the face of it i'm.
plies. irresponsible and gratuitous
utterances and actions in the name
of independence and reform, doubt
less, give caustic potency to tho
sneers of ga great newspaper " al
all who are dissatisfied with tho
state of affairs under the present
administration. Not that the utmost
freedom of discussion or individual
action is illegitimate or improper
but whenever the prescription o.
measures or men is dictated, either
by persons unknown or too vel
known, independent spirits are
alienated from what should be thu
common cause of citizens, and dis
union and disaster are the certain
consequences, OF course, it il
within the right Of any citizen Il
set himself up for legislative honors
That none will dispute. But thos'
who profess belief in the doctrine o
government by" as well as "of'
and "for" the people, might b.
expected to await popular judgmcn
q, to their claims for candidacy. 4
s,lf-nominated candidate may b
elected over half-a-dozen rivals a
the polls, yet have only SINAI
minority of his constituency repos
ing any confidence in him. Part