The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1890-10-02

any amendments We like, and the next
House will pass them il the people want
them.
Noble Widemann-I do not intend to
make long argument, but simply few
short remarks to put myself on record.
| consented TO became a candidate for
legislative honors under the principles
laid down in the platform published by
the National Reform Party, and under
these principles, and no others, was
elected. Before election day no other
principles were mentioned. The Consti-
tutional Convention idea was of later
growth than the election for the Legisla-
ture, and no more than one or two OF the
elected members probably knew Of this
idea before election day. The Constitu-
tional Convention idea never entered the
head OF the Lahui," but came from
quite different source. | was elected,
took my seat, and took the following
oath: al most solemnly swear in the
presence of Almighty God that | will
faithfully support the Constitution and
Laws Of the Hawaiian Islands, and con-
scientiously and impartially discharge
my duties as Representative OF the
people" The law now under considera-
tlOu Dill 1ZO/ VI call d COus6iittOu W
frame new Constitution clearly intends
to, and does, abrogate the present Con-
stitution. Whatever my personal pre-
objections may be, cannot vote to abro-
gate the Constitution under the oath
taken to Support it."
Rep. Kapaehaole said he was one of
the members who had signed the report.
AS he was a Hawaiian, and the demand
II
waiians, he would like to explain his
position. 1t had been said that the
present constitution deprived the King
of his rights. Now | think l have as
much love for my country and respect
House or out of it, But l have to con-
slider the means which are proposed to
remedy any evils, and think if we wish
to preserve our King, our nation and our
independence we had better keep to the
law, for otherwise our nation may be
wiped out at one stroke. The committee
came to the conclusion in the first place
that the bill was unconstitutional. A
great many members have proved very
| conclusively from precedent in other
countries that tn law is unconstitu-
| tional. l propose to show that by COM
| pairing it simply with the constitution.
Where in the constitution does it say
| that if the constitution is to be changed
| forty-eight delegates may be elected
| Our constitution calls for twenty-four
mobiles and twenty-four representatives,
| but no delegates. The constitution does
| not permit anything of the kind. An
| other thing in this bill is the provision
that the election shall be according to
| tho Attotralian cnnrnf ballot Cuotnpn
which has never been adopted in this
| constitution is silent, therefore this con.
walk into store, pick out beautiful
suit of clothes, and because the shop
keeper did not say one could not have it
walk off with it. l say when the consti.
tuition is silentit means NO. 1t is claimed
| that because this constitution was OBJ
| tanned by revolution. they will be jus.
tilted in doing practically the same
thing. do not approve of the way this
constitution was obtained, but that is nc
reason we should do wrong now. The
result would be that we would be having
new constitutions thrust on us continu
ally. l do not think our independence
would last very long. If we pass this bill
| NO SLdil CotdOilSii @ SCi uohSOAOuS pIC
cedent, and one that will very soon ter
inmate the independence of the King
dom. (The speaker proceeded to relate
the history of the Dorr rebellion in Rhode
Island.) We have been asked whether
we are going to listen to the voice Of thu
people or not. Certainly we are, but il
the way we think wise and advisable
and that is by proceeding according t
the provisions of the constitution.
The committee took recess unit
| 80.