The Daily bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Hawaii]) 1882-1895, 1888-06-25
22ND DAr-June %.
MORNING SESSION.

MORNING SESSION.
The House opened at 10 q. m.
President w. r. Castle in the chair.
PETITIONS.
Numerous petitions were pre-
sentcd, and appropriately referred.
REPORTS OF COMMITTEES.
Noble Baldwin reported from the
Finance Committee on the report
of the Minister of Finance. This
was a very complete report, taking
each item of the proposed expendi-
lures, and discussing the propriety
of making appropriations.
Noble Widemann did not favor a
subsidy for coffee, nor an appro-
priation for electric lights for private
use.
Noble Smith moved that the re-
port be translated and printed.
Carried.
Rep. C. Brown read a majority
report from the Judiciary Commit
tee on the bill to abolish the office
of Governor, as follows:-
To the Hon. w. r. Castle, Presi-
dent of the Legislative Assembly,
1888, Sir: A majority of the Judi
ciary Committee to whom was re-
ferred the bill to abolish the office
of Governor, beg leave to report
that they have had that bill under
advisement, and after careful and
due consideration of the subject,
have come to the conclusion that it
is not advisable to do away with the
office of Governor of the several
islands forming the group.
The principal objections made to
the office of Governor by the min
GRITTY of the committee (and per-
haps also by majority of this
House) are these: First, to the
personnel of the present incumbents ;
second, the uselessness of the office ;
and third, the expense in maintain
ing the same.
In regard to the first objection,
the majority cannot but agree with
the minority that some of the
present incumbents have shown
themselves unfit in more ways than
one, for the position; but is that q
sufficient reason for doing away with
the office altogether? The majority
think not, as the cause can be RENE
died.
In regard to the second objection
the majority maintain that the office
in the hands of good persons, and
those who would pay faithful atten-
ton to the duties devolving on them,
will be useful and almost necessary
to the Government in the admins
tration of affairs on the different
islands, and would insure on each
island among the numerous Govern
ment officials closer and stricter
attention to duty, if they knew that
the Governor was likely to report on
or visit them at any time. And
this majority considering that the
Office in the hands of right persons
will be of exceeding help and use
fulness to the authorities, have
drafted new bill continuing the
office of Governor and defining the
duties, and which they herewith
submit to the consideration of the
House.
AS to the third objection, that is
the expense, the majority think that
in the matter OF assessment and col
lection of taxes alone, more money
will be saved to the Government by
the retention of the office, than will
be expended in the payment of the
salaries of the persons holding the
office. The majority does not see
the necessity of paying clerk to
the Governor, and this office could
be done away with.
There are other places in which
economy can be practised with bet
ter results to the country than in the
abolishing of the Office of Governor.
This is q monarchial form of Gov
eminent, and there should be some
officer on the different islands to
represent the King and Government
other than a member of the Police
Force, or some other subordinate
officer.
The bill introduced by the major
ity of the committee provides that
the Office of Governor shall be
held by some male citizen, and pre-
scribes the duties which, with the
duties already pertaining to the
office, will, in the opinion of the
majority, keep the incumbent fully
occupied. The bill abolishes the law
as it at present exists, and if the bill
introduced by the Attorney-General
disposes of the Office of Governor,
and thus legislates out of Office the
persons now holding that Office, the
bill introduced by the majority will
certainly have the same effect. The
bill is so guarded that a repetition
of the complaints made against GER
tain present incumbents can be
easily remedied in the hands of q
competent and faithful Ministry.
In the opinion of this majority il
will be impossible for the Minister
of Finance or the Registrar of Pub.
lie accounts to attend to or perform