The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1885-12-16
7 II T.
ATTACKS UPON THE GOVERNMENT


If one were TO form an opinion of the
condition of affairs in the Hawaiian
Kingdom from the editorial writings in
the Opposition newspapers, he would be
apt to conclude that the country was in
q very deplorable condition. The Gov
eminent is openly charged with making
away with the public funds, with ex-
travagant and illegal expenditures, with
favoritism in Office, with corrupt prac-
tees, with plunging the country into debt
and bringing it to the verge of bank
ruptcy. All this and more is alleged as
fact from day to day, without scintilla
Of evidence or SHADOW of truth.
When the ADVERTISER suggested that
this kind of political warfare was calcu
lated to- iniure the reputation of the coun-
try abroad, and that the discussion of
political issues and official responsibility
should be kept within the bounds of
truth and legitimate criticism, we were
accused of seeking to muzzle the
press" We had no such thought or de-
sire, although we are free to confess that
we see no reason why newspaper
should be permitted to attack gentlemen
conducting the Kings Government in
their official capacity in way that
would certainly subject it to legal
Jet Of it be a Cabinet Minister or a pri-
yate person. This idea Of fair play, how
ever, does not appear to have suggested
itself to Opposition writers, who ap
parently hope to gain by detraction and
false accusation what is impossible of
accomplishment by reason and arsu-
Hent.
Having said this by way of settin, our
selves right with the public, we have
SIMPLY to remark that beyond stale and
exploited charges, and vague general ac-
eusations, nothing deserving moments
consideration has been brought against
che Ministry. As naatterof TACT similar
charges have been brought against all
preceding Administrations, stress being
invariably lald upon their extravaganza
and waste OF the taxpayers money,
while the country, it was alleged, always
stood at the point of bankruptcy. with
out credit or respect abroad or confidence
and resources at home. The facts, how
ever, invariably disproved these alIega-
tons so far as the public credit and ma
tional solvency We're concerned. The
country always paid its way, although
past Administrations must have been
hampereds as the present one has GER
sainlv been, by the false and extravagant
statements in home newspapers, which
were promulgated for local political
effect
II is of course idle for us to hope that
anything we may say on this or any
other subject will influence those who
direct the Opposition press, and we an
ticipate continuance of this method of
political warfare at least until the voters
have declared at the polls their conf
deTlce in the Government. But the |
Thought occurs to us in this connection
that comparison between the fiiian- |
cial status of the Kingdom under /
the Gibson Administration and what /
it was in the ''golden age" of Ha- /
walian politics may not be out of place, /
and at least that it may suggest to /
Opposition writer's the thought that they
had better moderate their tone when
contrasting the Ministry of the day with
Administrations which then repres ented
the present policy and purposes OF the
Independent Opposition" party. We
find the following in the P. C. ADvKR-
User of July 5, 1873, Messrs. Black &
Aud publishers:
ADNIRAL PENNoCK ON THE ISLANDS.
The "Aita's' Washington Geographic
dispatches OF June 10th contain the follow
ing: Rear Admiral Pennock, in his report
to the Navy Department relative to the
condition of affairs in the Hawaiian Islands,
expresses the opinion that danger exists of
eneroachments of foreign powers in the
Hawaiian territory, which will be prejudi-
rial to our best interests. The danger lies
n the approaching bankruptcy of the pres
ent Government, and the consequent neces-
:ity for foreign loan, through the infiu-
snee OF which our supremacy may be
threatened unless sustenance and financial (;
aid are granted by our people or our Gov
rnment
It j. probable thar our Government