Saturday press. [volume] (Honolulu, H.I.) 1880-1885, 1885-05-16
THs a AMERfCAN COSsULSHIP.

THk MERfCAN COSSULSHIP.
The Press was the first Honolulu
paper to express the wish that Consul
Mckinley might be retained. We
think his retention was the sincere
desire of the business houses of Homo
lulu and of majority Of Americans
here. At the same time we recognize
President Cleveland's perfect right
under existing laws, and following
Republican usage-to appoint whom
he will to succeed the present incum-
bent. Nearly every act of the new
president--so far as we have followed
his official course-has shown him to
be in sympathy with sound govern
ment and with reform in the civil
service. II he sends as good man as
Consul Mckinley we shall be perfectly
satisfied, and our present consul will be
the last man to "squeal"
We think most Americans will
question the good taste of the follow
ing, which appeared in Mr.. Spreckeps
paper of yesterday: If this is the
way President Cleveland is going to
give effect to civil service reform, then
are his professions the merest shams,
and political purity under Demo
cratic administration fraud. During
all the term of Consul McKinley's
service he was only one day absent
through illness. If he had been absent
half his time he would probably have
been continued in office"
The gentlemen who is responsible
for the above ought to know how
absurd it is Tradition and the tacit
consent of the American nation has
made the consular Office in effect a
political one. The civil service rules
ought to apply; but popular opinion
has not yet demanded that they shall
apply. The new president cannot do
everything,
If the independents should demand
that King Kalakaua should dismiss
certain well known bad characters from
his privy council and appoint honest
independents in their places, Mr.,
Spreckels' paper would "jump on the
proposition with both its feet. Yet
we know that such change would be
an improvements: and we do not know
that the new appointee will be any
less worthy than the incumbent.
To say nothing of the discourteous
description of our new consul, as Q
political hangeron from Ohio" the
attack upon the President Of the
United States, charging him with bae
faith, fraud and cowardice, is not onl,
uncalled for but, coming as it doe.
from the acknowledged organ Of thi
government, which, every one knows
is SO deeply indebted to the Unitet
States, is contemplate, unwise ant
damaging to this countrys bes
interests.
1t is natural that the Americans her,
should have political preferences bu
S for the press of this kingdom and
l worse still, the government press, t.
: denounce the present administration il
: the United States, upon which mus
, largely depend the commercial life G
this land (the continuation or renewa
) Of the reciprocity treaty., is not onl
{ base, ingratjtrde to this country
: Democratic friends in America for thei
E favors in the past, but AN insult which
. perhaps, will preclude the granting c
|. further favors in the future. Yestel
e day mornings issue OF Mr., Spreckel
: Advertiser went by the Mariposa c
e yesterday to the United States, and tn
c enemies Of our treaty will find therein
c strong cudgel which they will WELD
S no weak way against the interests {
/. these islands. We can only hope ths
l. its reputation abroad as the organ of a
unscrupulous monopoly will make il
r dirty work powefless for harm.
a The friends OF reform cannot orgal
:, ize too early to try and secure the ele,