The daily herald. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1886-1887, 1886-09-16
THURSDAY, SEPTEM'R 10, 1886.
PRESUMPTION.


improprieties in a semi-editorial news
article in yesterdays Adtvrtfser. But
they having been pointed out to us by
a number Of persons, without anything
to show that the expressions of dissent
were other than individually sponta-
neous, the matter cannot be passed
over without comment. The article in
question is that describing the prepara-
tions for and the departure of the
relief expedition to Ocean Island, also
giving an account Of the wreck of the
United States steamship Saginaw in
1870. With regard to the latter, mac
curacies were committed which we
have deemed it best to correct in the
main by giving an account of the event
from authentic records OF the time in
restion. The statement that the
Ca, nav was wrecked through the
onorarc. OF the officers in charge OF
her, S Indignantly resented in suarters
where that was to be expected on an
unjust reflection o. the kind being
passed upon American naya officers.
That the vessel was run ashore on
a bright day is contradicted in our
sources of information, which give the
early hour of 2:45 in the morning for
the occurrence. As the narrative,
where the statement herein questioned
appears, gives the same date for the
arrival of five survivors on Kauai, as
the date on which the wreck undoubt-
edly happened, the a9th Of October,
1870, it is not improbable that our
contemporary has been misled by some
very erroneous report Of the event
Gentlemen who were we'll acquainted |
with Captain Sicard inform us that he
was very capable officer and a man
Of excellent parts. AS, however, we
have no idea that our contemporary
wilfully traduced the reputation of
the Saginaw's officers, but was simply
led astray by inaccurate or prejudiced
accounts, that portion of the article
referred to may be dismissed without
further criticism
With regard to our contemporaries
report Of the relief expedition to the
shipwrecked company Of the Dun
nottar Castle, there are improprieties
falling under the head OF this article
which are not so easy to be explained.
Apparently the impression is sought to
be conveyed that, without the inter
position of the Hawaiian Government,
the relief expedition would have been
very inadequately equipped. "Sup-
plies were put aboard by representa-
tives of the Hawaiian aud British Gov
ernment," reads the account, which,
giving the Government that sent the
expedition secondary mention, has
very presumptuous and offensive sound.
That is the way it is taken in this
community, our contemporary is as
sured. We do not know how the
representatives Of Her Britannia Maj
esty regard it, but the representative Of
another European Power has spoken
to the writer in other than indifferent
tones about the prominence with which
the Hawaiian Government is thrust
forward in a matter wherein it was only
permitted by courtesy to have a part.
Doubtless the Hawaiian Government
is entitled to much praise for so read.
lily embracing the opportunity provided
by the representative of England, to
send means of averting distress in the
future to shipwrecked people on Ocean
Island The organ of the Government
has decidedly overslopped its functions
for the sake of catching great slice of
reputation abroad. 1t exceeds the
bounds Of propriety long way to give
the Hawaiian Government the chief
prominence in an enterprise to which
/ only contributes a small, supple
nentary, and not indispensable amount
If assistance.