The daily herald. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1886-1887, 1886-10-27
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER a., 1856.
THE GALLANT OPPOSITION.

The somewhat exciting and exceed
ingly dramatic events following close
upon prorogation have almost put out
of view the obligation of commenting
or different matters connected with the
recent legislative session. 1t would be
ungrateful on the part of journal
aspiring to be an exponent of the
public interests, to neglect making spe-
cial mention of the signal services iend-
cred the cause of good government by
the gallant minority, classified generally
under the term of the Opposition. An
Opposition, in the sense of that word
as applied to the organized body of the
"outs" in countries having representa-
tive institutions in the reality, this little
band IN the late Hawaiian Legislature
can hardly be called. 1t was not fight
ing for office, as in the state of affairs
to which this monarchical system has
been brought, through the insincere
administration of the past few years,
no body of sincere and upright men
would struggle for office--perhaps
hardly accept it if thrust upon them.
The loyal Hawaiian Opposition were
not organized, perhaps because they
did not seek office; at least not organ
lied in the manner of the machine"
or under the methods of the caucus. It'll
might have been better if they had set
more store by organization, concert of
action and common leadership. Yet it is
difficult under every parliamentary sys
tenn to secure party organization OF the
independent spirits who are called to
legislate for their country on their
merits as men of integrity and wisdom,
in whose intelligence and judgment the
people rely without having them bound
by the constraints of party trammels.
These men were elected to oppose the
administration of the day on Its de
merits, the extent of which only the
developments of the session fully re-
vealed. Besides the unfolding of the
record of the past improper adminstra-
ton, they we're prepared to meet with
reprehensible measures emanating from
the majority supporting the Govern
ment, from the lines on which that
party fought the electoral battle, es-
pecially in the country districts. They
were not disappointed. Their earnest
investigations opened out series of H.
legal administration of the national
finances, which was only stopped short
of being appalling by the limited pow
ers of the executive to misgovern. The
fountain of special loans to be illegally
raised was not inexhaustble, which fact
alone, so far as can be seen, prevented
the plunging of the country into hope
less bankruptcy The revenues were
small compared with theappropriations,
which produced enforced if not always
wise economy. There was not much
to steal, and what there was had been
legally stolen in advance by the prev
ious Legislature, so that 1t was not
worth while burglarizing the public
chest. The brave minority in accord
ance with anticipations, encountered
every mischievous measure roreshadow-
ed in the miscalled National Party's1
campaign. and more of the same sort
on top of them
The Opposition denounced the i'm.
proper administration of the past with
one voice and vigorously. They wrung
a bitter confession from the leader of
the Cabinet that first met the Legsla-
ture, that things had not been what
they should, coupled with promise
in effect that a new leaf was to be
turned in government That dramatic
was the prelude to the down
fall of the Ministry, new Ministry
walking into the chamber on the morn
ing following the exhibition Of penance.
The Opposition met the new corners to