The Hawaiian gazette., 1886-09-07
A Timely Warming. .

Eprros GAZETTE One OF the greatest hind
RANGES 70 ths establishment Of Christian civiliza-
ton and Christian institutions among the Hawai-
lsns, has been the difficulty Of developing any
sense OF responsibility. The whlm OF the moment
Is 70 s Hawaiian the all sufficient reason for any
action. What little restraint was ever recognized
time, not from any moral principle recognized as
rlghuolly authoritative. Every employer has
found that most Hawaiians will have some Bs1qgo
or piLiSsG, thSt 70 such people Is of more impor-
lance tnan what they have engaged 10 90. Work
Is neglected, perhaps 81 some critical moment,
or hurriedly performed. Few HsvSiianS are en-
ployed ID occupations. requiring skiilful, reliable
IudlcloCS, and pSinSeaking workmen.
When Constitutional government was eSta-
bliShed, It was hoped that Havaiians would be
trained by the performance Of bfhcisl duties to
proper appreciation OF political responsibilities.
For the sense Of personal responsibility can De
only developed through occasions that call for its
actual exercise, nos BY instructions from text
book, or sIhort&tions from 8 preacher. But in
the Constitution. as adopted, the Hing was de-
clared not TO be amsrsble 70 any law. His Cabi-
net ministers, the hssdS Of the various depart
neots, are the Officials supposed 70 be responsible
for the policy and character OF the Government.
Since these however, are removable at the pleas
IRE Of the King, not 70 carry CCt any particular
policy but IRON some personal rgnre, IN some
SCoCe1 rr6a6. Es nave now irresponsible rule IN
dsr the ostersibls form OF constitutional govern
usnt. The effect Of all this has been TO aggrayate.
not rectify, the marked deficiency II tbs character
o. TIE Hawaiian people. The HaSallans have
no. been trained Tor official responsibility By re
QClrIlg Of every candidate or nominee, special
personal qualifications. On the contrary, unfit
ness for official position and malysrsation IN Office
have seemed 10 be approved reasons Tor political
1dvanc7C-6nt- Inc result or all this has been tGr
worse, than the evil influence of the Spells System
n American politics. High moral character and
purity OF life form bar TO all political expecta-
lions, rather than fundamental requisite for pub
le ONCE Inc consequence Is constant GeterIo-
ration Of Hawaiian character both IN public aud
private life. mlasm2iic dsadeniug OF the social
atmosphere. 8 growth of abuses Of all kinds, for
tend by the allowed lack Of fidelity IN positions Of
public trust.
The fate OF Egypt has been often held up before
the Hawaiian people as warning agalnSt the
folly and eItrayagauce that would incur large
Government debts without any regard to the lin
tied revenue OF this Kingdom. But Greece Is
country whose present condition may afford an
equally instructive and pertinent example of mis-
government and its results Some items from
recent letter from Athens TO the Paris Temps may
S1oru facts Tor consideration 10 al interested IN
the prosperity and progress Of the Hawaiian pso-
pie. The writer makes statements substantially
as follows
The Greeks are fond OF Office and government
pay L Sweecez than any other. livery change II
sEe ministry II Grsscs Is followed BY changes IL
the various subordinate offices. Bot political am
bIEIOn n Greece mas no deeper source than desire
for the honoEs and emolumeuts Of Office. The
natural results tlat special knowledge and prctl
cal experience give no assurance OF any continuous
tenure OF ONCE. IrausitOry officials, never sure
Of their position, never care TO know well their
duties, and al official duties are poorly per-
formed n expectation OF war with Turkey, 4
large amount Of military stores was purchased.
but N few months they were mostly destroyed
By vermin. The Greek scOre-house keeper. was
some petty political partisan; but ne did not
know nov TO c5aE out ! DlAnket. Similar i1coEn-
potency characterIzes the higher officials. Repre-
SeutatTyss and friends Of the Prime Minister are
sent abroad on missions TO other countries. They
are nominated By fay0ritisn, and displaced by
fzVorItSm. There Is training Tor civil service.
There Is no diplomatic career TO deTelOpe talent
and TO utilize Il for the benefit of Greece Until
the point Of public scandal Is reached, public Off
Gals can neglect their duties and commit any /
folly. SsrTlceSblsneSS IN doing the dirty work OF
partisan leaders will onset any lack OF fitness or
integrity. The demand for offices being always /
greater than the number OF Offices to be filed. 1
there Is constant pressure to Great new offices.
Half OF the revenue or Greece goes to pay the sal
srIef of placsmen. One-hfteenth Is absorbed by /
pensions. The consequence Is that Greece has |
the worst and coStliest administration IN all Eu
rope Nor Is this the worst evil inflicted on the /
country. The Government officials, while osten- |
sibly seeking the advancement OF the country are
really degrading the character and condemning |
the stability Of the nation. At present there
bot two parties, neither of them having aay higher
motive than to Gust the other from.ofice through
some political intrigue. The people in every little
commune are divided into two opposing factims, /
each supporting Its own side through thick and [
IT'LL EOE me party II power INC LSWS may DC /
said not to exist All their rigOrs reserved for
those III opposition. If there Is any advantage to
be scared IN the execution Of any public work, |
the government party will secure II. If irksome /
obligations are 70 be imposed, the political op-
ponents have TO bear the burden. j voter is in /
pecuniary straits he asks the collector to allow
him time for the payment So II happens every
year there Is deficiency II the budget, the esti-
mates calling, say for $4,000, the collections
amounting 10 only SIS, COO
Such Is the condition of Greece at the present
time. King George, having amassed large pri-
Tate fortune Is meditstIng some 1T occasion to /
ismit the crown. He wants to retire TO some we'll
managed thriving European city, leaving the |
1fice- holders and oics-seeksrs IN Greece 70 the
fate Of rats N a sinking ship.
May kindly Providence avert from the little |
Kingdom OF Hawaii lsi the further ascending of
he abuses of governmental position that low /
threaten the very existence OF the nation: May |
personal fzToritism and greed OF office give place
% true love of country and the de7elopemsnt OF /
he best traits Of national character. CTTIs.
Honolulu, August ., 1856.