The Daily bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Hawaii]) 1882-1895, 1889-09-10
CONSTITUTIONAL AAeRDAEaf.
Another Lively Meeting .Enthusi-
astic Fec ing for Immediate Ac-
ton.


Another Lively Meeting. .Enthusi-
astic Fec ing for Immediate Ac-
ton.
The adjourned meeting of citizens
on the proposed Chinese amendment
to the constitution, yesterday even
ing in Oahu lodge room, Fort street,
opened promptly at eight O'Clock,
when about sixty persons were pre-
sent and more coming in. Mr.. I.
II. Lucas, chairman, having called
the meeting to order, and Mr.. Frank
Godfrey, secretary, read the min
utes of last meeting, the reports Of
canvassers for signatures to the
resolution in favor of an extra ses-
sion were called for. Lists were
handed in, as result of part of two
days work of the committees, con-
tanning 42l signatures-l97 from
ward 2, 4G from ward 3, 2S from
ward 4 and 100 from ward 8. Over
500 names were now on the lists, jim
GLIDING those signed at the previous
meeting. The committee was con-
tinued with the addition of three
additional members for each ward.
Remarks were then called for.
Hon. w. o. Smith was loudly
named all over the house. He said
he did not come to talk but in quest
of new ideas. The Legislature had
spent much labor and time III the
attempt to arrive at an understand
ing on the Chinese question, but
after coming several times from
special committee the proposed con-
stitutional amendment was defeated.
He expressed his sympathy with the
effort to get awaiting legislation for
the protection of the races sustain
ing civilization and free institutions
from being overwhelmed by the
large class of Chinese without fami-
lies and having no knowledge of
political institutions after western
models. The failure last session
was due to the great difficulties sur
rounding the problem, and it was
the speakers opinion that the same
legislature would cheerfully provide
a remedy if one could be presented
consistent with their honest judg-
ment. He had become firmly of
the opinion that constitutional
amendment was necessary to the
object and it must come, but the
constitution was something that
should not be tritled with, affecting
as it does the liberties Of all. While
so believing he was not in favor of
having the Legislature called to-
gether now and forced on the spur
of the moment to come to settle
ment of so great matter. 1t would,
he believed, do more harm than
good. There were other reasons for
his opinion which he would rather
not speak in public. Calls OF
"Speak out!" "Speak them?"
Well, he would say that we had just
been through great deal Of excite
ment which left traces OF race feel.
a ing, and he doubted whether il
would be wise to bring on the addi'
tional excitement of session of the
Legislature. The usual course in
other countries under constitutions
I government was when q vote was
/ taken on question by the people
representatives, that settled the
matter until the people should have
an opportunity of expressing theiI
j. views at the elections. He had ask
s ed the editor of the BULLETIN tt
h publish the division list of the Legis
y lature on the amendment, so tina
y the public memory should be re
3 frcshed. Whenever the matte
came up in the Legislature, how
ever, if he was member he woult
e support constitutional amendment
3 (Applause.)
u Hon. W. A. Kinney expressed hi
i great admiration of Mr.. Smith TO
a coming into this meeting to sho'
his colors. Yet he could not agre
with all his conclusions. 1t was TIL
/ peoples right to have an amend
e ment submitted to them, and tina
e was all that was asked by them
e The speaker reiterated his senti
I, ments of the previous meeting as t.
II the autocratic feeling that he re
garded as swaying the decision @
9 the Legislature. 1t had been hi
IS opinion that the present Legislator
H. was prepared to have done justic
G. to the people though the heaven
d, should fall, but he had received
X rude awakening. He recited tn
story of what had been sneered ;
as the "boodless revolution" BIT
or in which the supporters had brave
o. possible death and yet never opene
p their mouths to dictate a word
III the trainers of the Constitution
a. That document gave great pows
-. into the hands of the wealthy elias
y CA voice "roo great" and al
plause), yet 1t was this class Thu
III struck those mechanics and wag
ar earners of Honolulu in the ia,
he through the Legislature. The arg
SIS ment that the members OF the Legi
nd lature had this question before the
lg eyes for a twelvemonth and wei
an MT prepared to agree on anythiI
Ie- recalled the fable of the mounta
that labored and brought forth
mouse.