The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1888-09-04

new Constitution is, that the people, and
nOt-the King, are supreme. We are the
representatives of The people chosen by
them to express their will. If we do not
express that will, they will remove US, and
choose others who will represent them. The
Ministers hold their office at our will. Art
icle 81 declares, the person OF the KING Is
inviolable and sacred. His Ministers are
responsible" The measure under cOnsid-
Grafton was presented by the Ministers,
and it met with the approval of majority of
this House, that is, the approval of the
people. The King, not only without the
advice of the Cabinet, but in direct Opposi-
ton to their express wish, VetOes it. Is
the occasion extraordinary? Is the state
imperiled? Does the bill threaten disaster?
On the contrary, the object of the meas
ure is to develop. the resources of the
country, to add to its wealth and pros
perity. Under carefully guarded Condi-
tons it provides that a small portion of
the peoples money may be used to en-
courage and foster an industry which II
successful will bring great good to the
people. What reasons are assigned for
this deSpOtic exercise OF power? Is 1t that
sums proposed thus to be expended are
enormous, that apprOpriating money for
such objects is dangerous, or even lnexpe-
dent? Not at all. In the message from
the throne, sOlemnly given to us with pOmp
and ceremony at the opening OF the SEES
sion, 1t was expressly recommended that
velOpment of the industries of the King
dom. The reason assigned IS so trivial as
to make us pause and reflect. 1t Is merely
a matter OF opinion as to the method OF
applying this paltry sum! A bounty, for
SOOth, instead OF the manner proposed by
us This is the fourth time during this
session that the attempt has been made
to defeat the will of this House. The
Military bill, the Governors bill
and the Bookkeeping bill were. vetoed.
In each of them, principles We're INVOLVED
OF far greater weight than IN the Coffee
bill. But, while some OF us did not approve
of those bills, we did not hesitate to de-
clare by our votes that the interference
was uniustifiable. Now, in the measure
before US, there can be no question as to
our duty. There are some who have little
faith in the success of coffee culture in
these Islands; and some who disapprOved
OF the provisions of the bill. But these are
purely matters of opinion. The majority
of the members of this House, and the
Ministers believe it for the interests OF the
people that the experiment be tried. L
assert, and with elaboration, that any
member of this House who, under the Cir
CumStanCes, votes to sustain this veto,
strikes a blow at constitutional govern
ment in this Kingdom. 1t is time when
Individual preferences must be put aside.
The question is not of coffee or no coffee,
of disapprOval of men, methods, or details.
1t is a question of principle. The people
endured until they aVailed themselves OF
the last reSOrt-reVOlutlOn- assert the
principles of enlightened constitutional
government. The step taken last year
was most serious and mOmentOuS. And
any member of this House, who, under
the circumstances, votes to sustain this
veto, can but be visited with the cOndem-
nation of the people. 1t is not men or
measures we act upon to-day. They eX-
list only for the hour. But we are to act
for principles which will survive when we
are forgotten. This is a solemn occasion.
With great personal sacrifice we have been
seeking to serve the people. Some of our
work has been faulty and imperfect. None
of US are infallible. But our purpose has
been pure. The eyes of the people are
upon US. Let it not be written OF any OF
US that we are weighed and found want
ing"
Noble Widemann said the Constitution
gives the King the power, and he did not
see why the King should not exercise it
whenever he sees fit. He was called to
represent the people. He was of the peo-
pie and proud of it, and he would vote to
sustain this veto. The Ministers, by log
rolling, may gain majority in the House.
If this Ministry has not gained irrespOn-
sible power, they have been trying hard
enough to do 1t. II they do not accom-.
plish their object, they may be followed
by others who will. He could see no greater
i'll III being under one despOt than under
four. We might be able to deal with one,
but what could We do with fOur2
Rep. KamauOha was in favor of the bill
from the first. In regard to this veto, His
Majesty has been ill-advised, if indeed he
took any advice on it. He considered the
provisions OF the bill perfectly fair and
just. We know that coffee has been cult
waited many years in this country, but it
has made no progress. This bill proposes
to try to develop the industry to larger
proportions.
Rep. Paehaole was against the measure
from the first. The Government is now
over 81 600 900 in debt. If this bill passes,
there will soon be demands for Govern
ment aid to rice plantations and sheep
ranches.
Noble Robinson said he was one of the
minority opposed to the bill, not to the in
tent of it for the encouragement OF the in
dustry but to the method of it, as had
been stated by Noble Smith. To-day, l
am with the majority on the question of
the veto. | do not think it right, after the
bill has passed the House, to throw it into
the waste-basket. [ am not prepared to
sustain the Kings veto, for the reasons he
has returned to the House. Those reasons
were thoroughly considered and discussed
by the House while the bill was before US.
[ have confidence in the Ministry carrying
out the intent of this law, without favor or
Partially. Therefore, when the question:
''Shall this bill become law? -" is put,
am prepared to vote, aye.
Rep. Nakaleka said that Rep. Kamauoha
should remember that if the proposed
coffee plantation is started in Kona, it will
$35 900 but the interest on it that is to be
considered
The vote on the question, ''Shall this bill
become a law Notwithstanding the veto
by the King" was taken, when there APP.
peared:
Ayes-Wilder, Robinson, Young, Castle,
Smith, Warehouse, Wight, Motley, Wall,
Townsend, Hitchcock Bailey, Richardson,
G. N.WiIcox, Dole, Hustace, Dowsett, jr.,
Kalaukoa, G. Brown, Deacon, Kamai, Kau-
hane, Kamauoha, Paris. Nawahine Daniels,
Helekunihi, HOrner ,Kawainui, AS. Wilcox,
Rice-31.
Noes-Jaeger, Luhiau, Widemann, Ma
kee, Naone, Kauhi, F. Brown, Mcguire,
Gay, Nakaleka, PaehaoIe-11.
The President-This bill has therefore
failed to become a law.
RESOLUTION.