The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1889-09-25
as the "elixer" had evaporated, the
orator was as quiet and loyal as
any of his neighbors.
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 e preamble and
resolutions, which have been pre-
sented to the Ministry, by the com
mlttee Of four chosen for this pur-
pose. The full text of these was
given IN yesterday 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 to meet
the case and provide remedy.
The issue is thus presented to the
Ministry of assuming the response
bilitg of adopting, as 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 it's session 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
a very decisive vote.
Is it likely that under any posi-
bility of change of sentiment, a
majority of the members can be
found ready to go back on their
record of 1888, and adopt measure
which had been SO thoroughly can
vassed, 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
18th, and making allowance for alb
sentees, any fair-minded man must
acknowledge that the chances are
largely in favor of a defeat, even
though the amendment were brought
IN as a Cabinet measure, and re-
ceived the united government sup
port. If the ministerial measure
fails to pass; if the house should
decide again to indefinitely postpone
it, what would be the result? The
ministry, according to precedent,
must resign! And what then? A
new ministry,-not representing re-
form lnterests-not one in heart and
voice with the progressive spirit
which now inspires the government
and people alike, but one which will
restore the ruination period of 1927.
How many who demand the re-as-
sembling Of the Legislature are
ready for the possible retirement of
the Ministry and restoration of the
late regime, with political chaos and
distrust ruling the country?
After taking a comprehensive
view of the situation, and weighing
all the arguments pro and con, every
one, while admitting the grievances
and hardships that exist, must adj
NIT that the wiser course will be to
elect Legislature with this as the
main issue, and trust to it to remedy
our troubles and enact such consti
tutional amendment and laws, as
shall cover the whole ground, and
secure to the country peace and
quiet under reform rule. Better to
bear for a while the ills we have,
than fly to those we know not of.