The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1886-06-08
T H e
THE LEGISLATURE.

The Legislative Assembly occupied
itself the greater part of yesterday dis
cussing the educational estimates. The
debate was remarkable from the part
which Hon. Mr.. Bishop and His Excel
'lency Mr.. Gibson took in it. No other
members were so well qualified to speak
upon our educational system, for the rea-
son that Mr.. Bishop has been for number
of years President of the Board of Ed
ucation, while Mr.. Gibson now occupies
that position. Moreover, both gentle
men are personally interested in the
work of education in this country, and
therefore their remarks might be ex-
pected to convey information and carry
weight
1t so happened, however, that the dis
cussion became rather too discursive,
and what might have been of value to
the country assumed more of a party
than a practical turn. For this diver
sion Mr.. Bishop is mainly responsible,
because while speaking to an amend
ment by Mr.. Dickey, to unite and in
crease the votes for schools-Hawaiian
English and cOmmon-from $4,000
to $4,000, he thought fit to attack the
financial administration of the Govern
ment in every department. His arraign-
'ment, although brief, was pointed and
severe, but as it was unaccompanied by
any specific charge, the Premier, in his
1INy fO n
was admitted that the administration of
the Board of Education had been
judicious, and that the money appropri-
ated for it had been properly spent, Mr..
Dickey, from the Finance Committee,
bearing testimony to the fact that during
his investigation Of the accounts of the
department. he had not seen single
item of expenditure which he could call
improper or injudicious. The point at
issue, therefore, was the general admin
istration OF national finance by the
Government, and not the work Of the
Bureau of Education, during the past
two years.
One cannot well avoid expressing dis
appointment with the debate, which
ended in a compromise by referring the
items stated above to a select commit
stee. 1t serves, however, to illustrate
the inconvenience of raising a debate
upon the general policy of the Govern
ment on a side issue, for which neither
the Legislature nor Ministers are pre-
pared Their administration of national
affairs is proper subject for investiga-
ton. That is what the Legislative As
sembly is in session for, among other
things; but while committees of the
Legislature are engaged in this work of
Investigation it is extremely incon-
venient to raise general debate upon
mere question of detail expenditure,
which both sides OF the House agree is.
necessary. Mr.. Bishops arraignment,
we should add, was not in accord with
the report of the Finance Committee, So
far as we have had it before us; but if
there be any force in his suggestion re
garding the accounts, let him be con-
sistent and arraign that committee for
failing to do its duty to the Legislature
and country. This he would hardly
venture 20 do wherefore we are forced
to agree with the Premier that the re-
marks of Mr.. Bishop were not intended
for the Assembly, but to have influence
abroad. We do not think their in1u-
ence will be serious, however, if accom-
panied by Mr.. Gibson's rejoinder and
fair report of the debate.
The other business before the Legisla-
ture lacked special interest. Several
bills were advanced a stage upon reports
OF committees, and the House adjourned.