The Hawaiian gazette., 1891-05-26
THE WASHINGTON MISSION.

Nearly two years ago, while on visit
here, Mr. Ii. A. 2. Carter, our Minister
at Washington, signifed his desire to
resign the office which he had held
since the death of Mr. Allen in 1888.
And more recently he is understood to
have repeated that request on account
| OF continued i'll health. Since the ac-
cession OF Queen Liliuokalani, he has
been recommissioned as Minister Pleni-
potentiary, thus showing on the part of
Her Majesty the fullest confidence in his
official administration OF the trust re-
posed in him, with an earnest desire
that he continue to represent Hawaii at
the American capital. This action of
the Queen and her government has been
heartily approved by all the principal
foreign residents and native Hawaiians
throughout the Kingdom.
To fill position like that held by Mr..
Carter requires not only first class diplo-
matte ability, acquired by long expert
ence, but personal influence which may
be exerted when occasion calls for it, in
behalf of the country represented. BY
the possession OF these qualities in its
representative, the Hawaiian Legation
at Washington has been raised to the
first rank, and mas preserved this status,
to the honor OF Hawaii and her Minister,
who is a native OF this city.
We have had one unfortunate expert
ence in the Samoan Mission, where
native Hawaiian gentleman, at that time
supposed to be the person best qualified
OF any in the Kingdom for the position,
was appointed and sent, accompanied
with secretary, servants and every re-
quisite needed TO impress ON the mind
OF the half-civilized sovereign OF Samoa
an idea of the higher civilization and
rank of Hawaii's Sovereign and people.
And what was the result? In two or
three short years, the Hawaiian Lega-
ton at Apia became notorious, not as
the headquarters of refined intelligence
and official courtesy, but as the theater
of bacchanalian orgies, which were car
ried on to such an extent that the Ger
man government gave official notice
Through King Malietoa perhaps) that
unless the Hawaiian Minister was re-
called, and stop put to his infamous
conduct there, the German government |
would be compelled to adopt such meas
ures as were necessary under the circum-
stances. And the Hawaiian envoy was
recalled in disgrace.
We said above that Mr. Carter re-
signed. The truth is, he accepted his
disappointment from Queen Liliuoka-
lani conditionally, to be held only till a
successor could be found. But this is no
easy thing to do. There are probably |
some here who would like the honor OF
an appointment, but who have neither
the ability TO fill, nor the means to hold
it. The expenses are enormous, the sal
airy hardly covering the house rent. We
have been informed that the expenses
of maintaining the Hawaiian Legation at
Washington vary from twelve to twenty
thousand dollars a year, and in one
year 1SS9) they amounted to $4,000.
The Minister has to live and entertain
like prince, and few have the ability
to do this, unless possessed OF outside
sources OF income. To think OF sending
any person from here, to reside at
Washington as Minister, and to depend
on his salary Of $1,000 year, is per-
fectly ridiculous, and would soon end in
disgrace to himself and his sovereign.
The problem Of choosing a successor to
Mr.. Carter is not an easy one TO solve,
and may have to rest for some time I'M
solved. But whatever is done, let US
not have the Samoan mission scandal
to the shame OF Hawaii and
her Sovereign.