The Daily bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Hawaii]) 1882-1895, 1892-11-14

in the opening address of the Execu-
tive to the Legislature at the begin
ming of session. In monarchical |
countries, this is the speech from
the throne; in the United States, it
is the message from the President |
to Congress. Often the speech from
the throne has been subjected to the
criticism of being remarkable more
for what it does not contain than for
its contents. While such criticism
has sometimes been just even in
Great Britain, in that country the
ministerial scheme of legislation is
usually foreshadowed in the speech
from the throne. In the case of the
present Hawaiian Cabinet, as in that
of two preceding ones, there was
no opportunity of addressing the
Legislature at the opening. There
fore, the presentation of a policy
under question of privilege, by this
Cabinet, is a commendable proce-
dure.
The policy presented by the Min
lister of the Interior contains several
items bearing on new issues. For
the rest it consists of generalities
such as have formed the staple of
every Cabinets and every party's
policy for many years past. Such
are the declarations of a purpose to
observe economy in administration,
conjoined with the best possible
measures for promoting internal de-
velopment and public improvements.
1t need not be said that the Legis-
lature is unit on these PROPOSE
tions. Division is a foregone conclu-
sion on the questions of lottery or
legalizing gambling, the currency of
the country or Horner's Banking
Bill, and Pearl Harbor. The gen
eral belief is that the lottery scheme
has been dead for sometime, but it
is satisfactory to know, in case of its
resuscitation, that the Ministry is
against it, fat-footed. There is little
fear that the lottery can obtain
enough supporters to imperil the
Ministry in this honorable stand. 1t
is not probable, either, that a com
bination will be formed to defeat
the Ministry for its opposition to
the unlimited paper money measure.
Leaders of every party, SO far as for
eign members are concerned, are
known to be opposed to the Bill.
There is no reason to think that
principle in such an important mat
ter would be waived for the sake of
party advantage.
The attitude of the Legislature
on the question of Pearl Harbor is
more problematic than on any mat
ter mentioned in the policy. 1t will
be observed that this question is not
dealt with in the Government s
formal presentation of policy, but in
answers by the Minister of the In,
terror to questions propounded by a
member As both deliverances came
the same day, however, they are tc
, be considered as whole. What the
> Ministry declares to be its policy il
: regard to Pearl Harbor is nothing
{ new. Exclusive naval privileges a
9 that place have been offered to tn.
: United States by the first Reform
= administration and every succeeding
J, Ministry long enough in existence
g to have policy in the matter. The,
g have been incorporated in the recip
4 rocity treaty, now in force between
d the two countries, being cotermin
f Gus with that instrument. Still, al
though being nothing of a surprise
f the Ministerial expression on Pear
g Harbor may meet with strong oppo
S sition. The native opinion on tn
/ matter has never been satisfac
l. torily gauged. So many othe
i questions have engaged the attention
If of the people at elections, that NJ
; clear verdict of public opinion ha
J. been obtained on this particula
e matter. There is probably not
n district in the Kingdom, however
e from which petitions, chiefly iron
If the native people, have not reached
IS the Legislature praying, uncondi
e tionally, that no cession of Hawaiial
n territory be made. Yet it cannot b
i said that majority of the elector
If have made themselves understood
n on either side of the question. |
n therefore remains to be tested in
s. formal way how the Hawaiian mem
y bers of the Legislature, who wish t
y be on the right side of their consti
} tuents, will regard the proposition
" for granting the United States a
|. indefinite continuation of the priv
Or leges now for years enjoyed although