The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1886-10-09
ABOUT INCREASED TAXATION.

1t is our misfortune to differ rfrom our
contemporaries on many points OF pub
lie policy. This is a source OF great re-
greet to us, because, above all things, we
desire to live amicably with all men.
But however anxious We may be TO com
promise opinions for the sake Of peace
and harmony, and to meet the peculiar
idiosyncrasies of our neighbors, some
thing is due to the requirements of rea-
son and common sense as one passes
along the highway Of life. It therefore
comes to pass that we are sometimes in
antagonism to the views propOunded by
our journalistic friends. We are guided
by reason and common sense they are
usually impelled by impulse Truth is
inhexible; assumption, which stands
for truth and fact with great many
people otherwise veracious, is flexible at
all times, and adapts itself TO varying
circumstances and conditions. 1t pre-
sents a giIded front at every point OF
view, dazzling the eye and imposing
upon the Imagination Of the thOughtless
and unwary. But cit is not all gold
that glistens," and truth is not always
covered by an assumption OF it. On the
contrary, the rigid lines OF truth are apt
to be absent when this last is the case.
And this brings us to the position OF
the Opposition press and Opposition
members of the Legislature ON the Prop
erty Tax bill. If anything ever was
demonstrated to the satisfaction of
logical mind, it was the necessity for in
creased taxation by Mr.. Hayselden III
the debate on the Property Tax bill. a
days ADVERTISER, and we confidently
refer our readers to it for a full and
complete answer to the allegations that
an increase of taxation is unnecessary
Nr. Hayselden shows, by reference to
thirteen heads OF expenditure, as pro-
vided for in the Appropriation Act just
passed, and similar expenditures in
1876, and by a comparison of the income
OF the respective periods, that an in
crease of taxation is absolutely neces-
sary il the functions of government are
TO continue unabridged And this com
parison does not take into account the
absolutely necessary and multifarious
services provided for by the present Ap-
preparation Act, in addition to those
enumerated by Mr.. Hayselden.
1t is contended that the revenue would
be ample were there no extravaganza
and folly" the latter being the term
applied by the Opposition to des-
ignate the expenditures incident to
the Monarchy and an independent
Government. Waving for the moment
the stupid impertinence of this assump-
ton, we take leave to say that were the /
appropriations for the military, the edu- /.
cation of Hawaiian youths abroad, the .
Government steam vessel, and the ROYAL I
Family and Household stricken ont of /.
the Appropriation Act, there would not !.
be an approach to the requirements Of I
the country under II without an increase /
OF taxation, and we are ready 10 give the .
Board OF Genealogy and the Mausoleum
into the bargain. 1t is absurd to speak I
and write in the loose and unguarded .
manner the Opposition has done in .
respect Of appropriations throughout the .
session. Its continuance is a reckless I
abuse Of the functions Of the Press, and .
an impudent attempt TO impose upon .
the credulity OF the people.
But, say these hatulent economists, F..
the Appropriation Act should not he
made so large. There was no necessity
for it. Starve the public service, atten-
uate the votes in aid OF public improve
ments, step out OF the march Of progress
and return to ancient methods when the
Kingdom was in the pockets Of hall a
dozen men, and social prescription was
the penalty of an independent opinion.
If this be done, they say the revenue
will be sufficient Ii viii not be neces-
sary to borrow, and we shall get along
very well, making cent per cent upon
our investments And such indeed
might be the case were a return T.
ancient methods possible. 1t is not
possible, however. The country has cut