The Daily bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Hawaii]) 1882-1895, 1888-09-18
OUR GLORIOUS CONSTITUTION.


standing the many and varied at
tacks made upon the present Ha-
waiian Constitution, contend that
it is, unamended, the best suited for
these islands that could be "hashed
up;" although L admit that it might
be unsuitable to the needs of civil
lied nation.
The Hawaiian Constitution is gen.
orally believed to be contradictory,
inconsistent, incongruous and un-
safe guide in all matters which it is
intended to regulate; but, neverthe-
less, l cleave to the opinion that the
contrary is the fact.
The glorious Constitution of the
Hawaiian Kingdom is one of the
most prolific and accommodating
documents ever drawn up by the art
of man it proves everything, helps
everybody, and is gradually invad-
ing the household and regulating
the affairs of everyday life. AS an
instance of this my boy refused to
eat poi the other day; because it
was unconstitutional when more ex-
pensive dishes were on the table.
Properly viewed the Hawaiian
Constitution is like an accommodate
ing "vest pocket" that has only to
be searched to find out the treasure
it contains. Should kanaka legis-
lator oppose bill or motion in the
House he appeals to arule or clause
of the Constitution as supporting
his opinion; and the fellow on the
other side filings back, as retort,
another clause of the same docu-
ment. Thus the Constitution is
handy and invaluable to all parties
and factions as political sand bag,
used but never abused.
Another important advantage of
the document is the readiness with
which its separate rules and provi-
sions can be laid aside when occa-
sion requires, as witness the arbi-
trary exclusion of the pn .ic from
Legislative committee Ii eting last
Saturday in express op osition to
Rule 27 Of the Constit1 on. The
rules of the Hawaiian institution
have certain folding ar ngements
by which they can be reaoved and
suspended as easily as g., the rules
of the Legislative Chamber. This
is grand convenience, because the
Constitution might otherwise get
seriously in the way and be hurt.
Another great advantage possess
ed by our unique Constitution is,
that it embodies many of the char
acterstics of MonarchicaI and Re-
publican institutions so beautifully
mixed and blended so that we, poor
Hawaiians, cannot tell (which from
t'other." That is just as it should
be; because we must believe the Con-
sttution 10 be Hawaiian or nothing.
Hawaiians must create and evolve
their constitutions themselves, and
the wisdom, profundity of study and
erudition apparent in the Hawaiian
Constitution, shows conclusively the
progress of our development in this
direction as people, and the great
aptitude we have for self-govern-
ment.
1t is all very well to say that the
''thing" was hastily gotten up, and
must necessarily be imperfect; but
L maintain that this circumstance
was fortunate in giving to our glori-
GUS Constitution the econglomeration,
comprehensiveness, angularity and
feasibility necessary TO its useful
ness, convenience, and adaptability
to the wants and whims of Hawai-
ian Legislators of the straight type
or the curly.
l trust that His Majesty, with or
without the advice of his quartette
of august responsible or irresponsi-
BILE Ministers, will send copy of the
Hawaiian Constitution to the Mel
bourne Exposition before it closes,
to inform all the ends of the earth
of the wisdom and greatness pre-
vailing on these ''Isles of the sea"
as embodied and reflected in the
unique document which we swear to
support whether we know its con-
tents or not. 1t might also be ad-
visable to send with the sacred docu-
ment the portraits of the quartette
of Ministers, which would be unique
"Cabinet" pictures and convey
fair idea of what kind of government
we have in the Hawaiian Kingdom.
TAI Boo.
Honolulu, Sept. 10, 1888.
[Tah Boo has mixed up the Con-
stitution with the X les of the
House. There is no Rule 27 of
the Constitution" and the Article
of that document so n nbered re.
lates TO reprieves al pardons.
ED.
QUESTIONS.
EDITOR BULLETIN THE pTesump-
tion ia that editors should Or OUGHT