The Hawaiian gazette., 1889-10-01
THE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT.

The series of political meetings
which have been held during the
past month. devoted chiefly to the
discussion of the Chinese question
eliminated in the adoption on Mon
day evening of preamble and
resolutions, which have been pre-
sented to the Ministry, by the com
mittee of four chosen for this pur-
pose. The full text of these is
given in this mornings issue,
They state, in mild and courteous
language, the fact that the excess of
Chinese in the country is forcing
them into the industrial trades and
pursuits of foreigners without fur
nishing the plantations with the
desired laborers; and for these rea-
sons, they petition the Ministry to
convene the Legislature in extra
session for the purpose of enacting
some constitutional provision 80 meet
the case and provide a remedy.
The issue is thus presented to the
Ministry of assuming the RESPONSE
bility of adopting, as a Ministerial
measure, an anti-Chinese amend
ment to the Constitution, and of
going before the Legislature with
this as the chief if not the only work
for it to perform. Had not the
Legislature already acted on this
measure, such a task might be
undertaken with some degree of
confidence in its success. This,
however. IS not the case. The pre-
sent Legislature. at Its session a year
ago. fully debated the whole subject,
after it had been committed and re-
committed several times, and several
times reported back amended, then
discussed and finally rejected it with
q very decisive vote.
Is it likely that under any posi-
bility of change of sentiment,
majority of the members can be
found ready to go back on their
record of 1883, and adopt a measure
which hsd been 80 thoroughly can
vsssed. even if the members OF the
Legislature could be brought to-
gether, kept in their seats and made
to vote
After looking over the list of
mobiles and representatives as pub
lished IN this paper Of September
14th, and making allowance for abb
sentees, any fair-minded man must
acknowledge that the chances are
largely in favor Of a defeat, even
though the amendment were brought
N ss 8 Cabinet measure, and re-
esiTed the united government sup
port- II the ministerial measure
fails 10 pass; If the house should
decide again 10 indefinitely postpone
It, what would be the RESULT The
according TO precedent.
must resign And what thenf 4
new ninistry.-n0t representing re-
form interests 0le n heart and
voice With the progressive spirit
which Tow inspires the government
and people alike, but one which viii
restore the Tuinsti0n period Of 1SS2T.
How many who demand the re-as-
Of the Legislature are
rssd! f0r the possible retirement Of
the Ministry and restoration Of the
ate regime. With political chaos and /
ruling the e0unzyt
After taking Z comprehensive
5isE 0t tie Situation, and Weighing
al the arguments pro and eon. every /
1ns, while admitting the grievances
snd hzrdzhips that elst. must ad- /
raii that the ElseE course VIII be 70 /
zlsez Legislature with this g the |
rsin Issue, and trust 10 Il 80 remedy |
III tF01blss and ensct such eOnsti-
sue1dnent and laws. e
shall e0Tsr ths whole ground and /
sse1rs 70 the country peace and
1uis5 gn1sE reform r1le- Better 70
besx f1r Z while the lis ws hare
-hzn II 10 thoss Es h0S Dos Of