The record-union., 1894-06-08
Special to the REcoRD-USroN.

HONOLULU, May 3l.-The long looked
for Constitutional Convention met yes
terday morning. The assemblage gath
cred in the hall that was formerly used as
q meeting-place for the Legislatures OF
royalty, although the scene was very
different. None of the old-time pomp
and ceremony marked the occasion. Even
the band was not present, but was placed
In the yard of the Executive building.
some hundred feet distant, and only
played one air, Hawaii Ponoi," the na-
tioual anthem. At the time set Tor the
convention to be called to order the room
was full of people, All the foreign dlplo-
matte and consular corps were present,
with the exception of two. These were
representatives of England and Portu-
gal. Minister Wodehouse, the British
Minister Resident, was asked to be pres
ent, but sent a formal reply. stating that
he would not be there, but giving no
reason whatever for his action. This. in
view of the fact that the birthday OF
Queen Victoria was celebrated only few
days ago, and at the special request OF
Mr.. Wodehouse had been fttlngly ac-
knowledge by the Hawaiian Govern
ment. in regarded as deliberate insult and
there is considerable talk of asking for
his recall. The Portuguese Consul is at
present in San Francisco and his Charge
d'Atfaires would not accept the Govern
ment's invitation in his absence.
The ceremony of opening the conyen-
ton was very brief. President Dole read
an address to the members, after which
an adjournment was taken until to-day,
on account of the celebration OF DecOr2-
ton Day.
In calling the convention to order,
President Dole said:
1.-THE delay which the project of politi-
cal union between Hawaii and the
United States ofAmerica has experienced
has brought up the question OF modify
ing the present provisional system In
order to give the Government perma-
nent form, and to more fully introduce
the principle of representation by the
people.
'"rhe subject has been carefully con-
sidered, both from the standpoint of the
responsibility of the Executive and Ad-
visory Councils, and that OF the right of
the people and the necessities OF the case;
and while such change is lmperatlveiy
demanded by an intelligent public senti-
ment. it also appears consonant with our
situation, which is naturally favorable to
the growth OF tree institutions.
'sThis being conceded it became neces-
sary to decide whether to reach the de-
sired result by taking the present system
as basis and building upon that, or by
wholly reorganiZing the Government.
1.-The latter method was adopted as
giving more freedom OF action and better
opportunity for establishing a system
suited to Neutrality-suspicious..
II need hardly remind you of the diff
cult and delicate character of the duty
which the convention is called upon 10
perform. The monarchy, after a period
of decadence which was threatening and
prejudicial TO all public and private inter-
ests, came to a logical end-tbrough its
own plot to turn back the movement of
public progress and to subjugate all na-
tional energies and aspirations in the in
terest OF despotism.
'.This attempt conferred upon that por-
ton of the community who were in SYM
pathy with the political development of
the state as an organization both the right
and the duty to intercept the threatened
retrograde movement for no part of a
nation which has made progress in eivili-
cation has a right to drag the other part
back to barbarism.
1.-The question whether the franchise
should be limited to citizens of the re-
public will demand your serious consid-
Grafton, in view of the accepted practice
of other civilized nations, and the danger
of allowing those not under the obliga-
tions of citizenship and owing fealty to
possible hostile Governments, to exercise
this important function"
of the United States Constitution, and
many of its provisions are taken bodily
from some of the State Constitutions. Its
salient features are the great powers in
vested in the Executive, the limitations
on the elective franchise, and the various
provisions designed to place permanent
control of the future Republic in the
hands of its present guardians or sue
cessors who shall carry out their policy.
For instance, deniZens of Hawaii who
supported the Provisional Government
are entitled to vote or sit in the Senate
without impairing their citizenship in
their native country. The President
shall be elected by the Legislature for
term of six years. All commissions is
sued by the late Monarchy or the Pro-
viSional Government are declared to be
vacated from September l. 1894, when the
Republic will be created. The "Crown
lands" are declared to have been hereto
fore and are now the property of the
Hawaiian Government. free and clear
from any trust aud from all claims what
soever upon the interests and rents
thereof. They shall be subject to aliena-
tion and other uses provided by law. No
lottery shall be authorized III the Repub-
lie, nor shall the sale of lottery tickets be
allowed. Government officers shall not
take foreign employment. The first cleo
ton of the Legislature shall take place
three months after the PRONUNCIATION of
the Constitution. Upon the conysning of
the Legislature, which shall be the third
Wednesday in FEBRUARY, 1896. or may be
at a special session before that time, the
existence, power and authority of the
present Advisory Council may be ter
minated, but until that time the Council
shall continue to possess its present
powers.
The steamer Iwalani returned on Tues
day last from Necker Island. Minister
of the Interior King, who was at the head
of the expedition, raised the Hawaiian
flag over the little lava rock, and Hawaii
owns more property. The new acquisi-
tion is perfectly barren island, and of
no use whatever, except as q possible rest
ing place for the proposed cable.
The island is large lava rock, situated
about 450 miles northwest of Honolulu,
and was formerly inhabited, as there are
square walls about three feet high, four
feet wide and from thirty to forty feet
long, on the top of which are large fiat
stones standing on end, and about two
feet apart. 1t was first thought that some
shipwrecked crew had made landing
here. Alter search. however, nothing
could be found TO indicate that such was
the case. Captain Freeman found several
old images and idols in a good state of
preservation, except for the injuries re-
ceived by exposure to the weather. A
number of these idols were brought back
by us as curios. One great curiosity that
we found looked like piece OF stone, but
on close inspection it was thought 10 be
petrified fish. 1t was found on a stone
altar, and must have been offered TO one
of the ancient gods. Birds and fish
abounded.
Decoration Day was celebrated yester-
day. All the Government troops turned
out, and. accompanied by Admiral
Walker and his staff, with large detach-
ment of sailors and marines from the
Pbiladelphia, marched to the cemetery.