The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1892-07-12
The Late Band Strike.

MR.. EDITOR Slr-l MS event,
being in the nature of a national
calamity (?) must be seen to. 1t
behooves every patriotic citizen to
(figuratively) put his shoulder to
the wheel to avert this disaster. |
see by your evening contemporary
that the Ministers have been inter
viewed. | presume they would
have to inform the deputation that
money was scarce, that the Gov
eminent hadn't even the money to
pay them on the new scale pro-
posed, that the country is millions
in debt, that the chances for get
ting in the taxes this year are
very small, ta-ra-ra-boom-de-ray,
that the thousand and one place
men MUST be provided for, though
how they are going to pay them no
one can tell. No doubt they would
be glad for some one to take the
trouble off their hands and put
the whole thing on a business
basis.
Though a musician myself and
very fond of music, I could not
conscientiously ask the band to
"come off" their pedestal. The
country cannot afford a band, any
more than the many other items
of extravaganza proposed. The
condition of affairs ought to make
people think, and especially the
executive and Legislature now in
session. The cheese-paring policy
proposed will not at all satisfy the
country. Our Ministers do not
seem to realize the extent of the
disaster that has fallen on the
country through the Mckinley bill ;
yet it is plainly to be seen at every
turn. Foreclosures of mortgages,
assignments and receivers ap-
pointed, property sold for less than
the improvements cost and me-
chanics standing idle on every
hand. Yet it is proposed to lop of
$400 here and 800 there.
This wont do. The Cabinet
should come out boldly with q
policy that will be in accordance
with the condition of the country
1t is needless to say that the state
ment Perhaps an increase OF
duties on some goods, or an in
crease or imposition of taxes on
some articles, or loan, will recon-,
mend itself to your wisdom" is in
itself sign of incompetency.
A radical change is necessary
Begin with the judges. You have
far too many judges in the country
for the work to be done. Three
Supreme Court Judges and three
Circuit Court Judges could do all
the work that twenty or thirty now
do. Here would be saving OF
over $4,000 for public works that
no one can doubt the necessity Of
Do away with the band. Here's
another $4,000 per annum for
public works. The soldiers are oil
no earthly use; do away with
them. Here's another $4,000
saved. Then there's the Marshal,
presumably occupying the office
and duties of Superintendent OF
Police. He has, it is said, seven
or eight clerks. One smart man is
sufficient in other countries, and
should be here. Cut them off.
How many police have we here?
Far too many. Cut them down one
half, and save $4,000. / hear that
there are also more than $50 paid
spies No wonder your expenses
are heavy, if such is the case. II
is a disgrace, and would not be
tolerated in England or the United
States. A government should be
able to trust with confidence to the
goodwill of the people.
In fact, you must bring down
matters TO q business basis, and
make a saving of $250.000, if you
choose TO do so. VIpEo.