The Hawaiian gazette., 1889-05-07


Coote did not materialize, and again
we sat down on our heels and waited
for somebody else to do it." This
position of sweet resignation was
occupied for several years more,
when in the spring of 1887 Mr..
Coote again appeared on the scene,
and wanted another law passed
The Legislature accordingly passed
it, and authorized the Cabinet to
contract with him for the laying of
a cable The main feature of the
contract was that he should have an
exclusive right to lay cables between
this country and any British posses
sion for three years from January 1,
1888; and that he should receive a
subsidy of $4,000 per annum for
fifteen years provided that if on
the first day of August, 1889, he did
not give satisfactory evidences that
he could complete the cable by
August 1, 1890, the Hawaiian Gov
ernment could cancel the contract.
A contract was made in accordance
Herewith, and again we assumed
the attitude of the watchful ex-
pectant. The first of August draw
eth nigh, and again Mr.. Coote flick
ereth like the will o-the-wisp and
cometh not, and we fear iT-as- mania
day before Mr.. Coote will advance
beyond the paper stage of his cable,
When the sun gets out of bed on
the fret day OF August next, what
are we going to do? Are we again
to mount the anxious seat, and sigh
For Mr. Field, and pass some more
laws for Mr.. Coote's amusement ?
That is the conundrum which we
PROFOUND to our beloved readers.
That is the question which we ask of
the Government. "What are you
going to do about it ?"
What we propose, is, that on the
first of August Mr.. Coote be given
prompt notice that unless he comes
to time, the Hawaiian Government
proposes to act for itself. The
United States Government and peo-
pie have never been so keenly alive |
to their interests in the Pacific as at |
present, and cable communication
with Honolulu is one of the prime |
factors in the protection of such |
interests the situation needs but to |
be clearly impressed upon the
United States Government, and the |
forward of some one ready
and willing to take a lead in the
matter, to bring it about. The
United States Administration is be-
ieVed TO be favorable to the cable
and Mr.. Blaine is
Known to have expressed himself IN
.aYor of it. 4 cable and plant from
Honolulu to San Francisco would
cost, it is estimated, in the neighbor-
hood of $1,5O0,O0O. The value accru-
ng to this country from a cable
would fully justify it in paying say
rom 100000 to S5OO,OOO, towards
me.
The money can be borrowed from
,ur own people at five per cent.
trough the Postal Savings Bank,
n which the surplus deposits are
low from $4,000 to $4,000 per
month. Let the Hawaiian Govern
nent take the initiative then, and
make definite proposition to the
United States Government, that we
viii pay, say from 100000 to $780,
100 towards the cost of the cable, if
hey will pay the rest. ) million
Lollars would be bagatelle to the
United States in comparison with
he advantage which the cable would
e to her, while the sum proposed to
e offered by this country is SO large
4 comparison with its size and re-
ources that it is an exceedingly lib
raj offer, bound to attract attention
nd ultimately produce results.
This matter involves questions of
uch great political and financial
Importance to this country that it
lay well be made one of govern
rental policy and backed by the
ountry as a whole without reference
0 party affiliations Let bold
ront and a liberal policy be present
d, and the desired object will be OBJ
aimed. Let US continue our past
alf hearted, waiting policy and we
1ill continue to get promises and
ables on paper to the end of the
hapter,
l1pefiul Notifies.