The Daily bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Hawaii]) 1882-1895, 1891-11-17

ekllltu HlcCndUlts, sugar pIuHt3 NcTc
by many distributed generously in
public and still more in private
charities. Rarely have | seen any
one who was interested in sugar who
had not kept regularly at some good
boarding school from one to twelve
or fifteen Hawaiian pupils. Much
of this aid is likely now TO be with
drawn.
But with all the good that came
from prosperous times there was
much that was not good. On the
one hand came jealousy toward the
n0Hyeaac riches, on the other, came
indifference to public interests.
Perhaps the necessity of rigid
economy will lead to more conscien-
tious attention to public duties. The
Mckinley bill may after all be to
Hawaii blessing in disguise. To
use the expression by which time is
declared on board of a man-of-war,
let us, "make it So"
We need but little legislation. The
land system should be so shaped as
to increase the number of small land
holders. Every land ,holder is con-
servatlve, and friend of good gov
eminent.
A treaty is required to be made
with the United States, by which
Hawaiian sugar can be refined here
and admitted there free of duty.
Until new industries can be estab-
lished it is clear that in no other way,
except the deplorable way of flooding
the country with cheap Hindoo labor,
or by heavy direct taxes which would
drive away capital, send up ex-
change, and increase the cost of i'm
ported goods to ruinous rate, can
the revenues of the Government be
collected.
Whether property qualifications
for Mobiles and electors of Mobiles
shall be withdrawn or not, will be
one of the great questions for legis-
lative debate. This provision is not
especially required by the wealthy,
but is in the interest of skilled labor,
and of small land-nolders, as opposed
to the interest of an unemployed or
floating population, and ignorant
labor.
But perhaps the most important
Legislative result to be reached is,
to emancipate civil service from
politics. If oflice-seeking shall be
the great object of electors, the main
benefits which ought TO be got from
a representative government, are
lost.
The course of events during the
party changes in the last four years
is discouraging to those who hunger
and thirst after the spoils of office.
Some think now that only a republican
form of government will permit rota-
tions in office and give chance for
boss politicians others claim that
by accomplishing that change, an.
nexation to the United States will be
produced, and that then will be the
heyday of the average politician.
1t is a safe prediction, that no
change Of the present form of gov
eminent will be made unless by the
method and with the torinaIities re-
CURED by law, and that this implies
only peaceful changes and such as
are desired by the head of the
government, as well as by the
great majority of the voters.
This prediction is based on two
facts, first, that there is no occasion
or pretence of excuse for any but
regular and legal procedure, and
secondly, that irregular procedures
are under the close surveillance of at
least two of the great Powers.
1t is likely then that Hawaii will
continue to enjoy, in some form or
other, a Constitutional, Representa-
tive Government.
Among the best friends of the Ha-
waiian race, there are those who
think that Legislature composed of
two separate Houses, the lower
House having sole charge of the ma
tlonal purse strings, would be rather
an injury than gain.
1t is true that a deadlock in legis-
lation may at any time arise with
two Houses. But hasty, advised
Legislation is worse than none at all.
1t is about the only radical change
required in order to give symmetry
to the Hawaiian Constitution.
Every country which is worthy of
good government will sooner or later
obtain it. Nations like individuals
have their peculiar difficulties to
overcome, ever increasing with the
fresh complications of social life.
England has her Colonial and In
dian questions to work out. She is
happily done with civil service and
free trade discussions, but home
rule is ever with her.
Tariff, currency, foreign immigra-
tion, trusts, caucus, civil service and
the negro furnish the American pro-
blems of the day. The problem of
Hawaii is to find its equation of the
races. These diverse, social ele-
ments, which are here to stay, are
not as homogeneous as they appear.
The Chinese and japanese are
watching with ebseryant eyes Ha-
walls great object lesson Of Consti-
tutional Government. They are do