The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1894-02-28
THE HAWAIIAN MIDDLE.
DOle's Plan for an Hawaiian Re-
public.


An interview with President Dole,
written by William Preston Harrison,
was telegraphed on the 18th inst. to
the Chicago Times from San Fran
cisco and was printed that day. To
the editor OF the Times, who has been
making careful study Of Hawaiian
affairs, the Provisional leader out
lined his plans for the establishment
of republican government for the
islands. In response to a question as
to what steps are to be taken for the
formation of a permanent govern
ment President Dole said:
awe shall be working on our plans
toward the establishment of a repub-
lie, but will take no definite action
until Congress shall have definitely
disposed of the question now before
the House at Washington"
"Then no constitution has yet been
drafted?"
"No, positively none, further than
rough drafts drawn by members of
the present Government and others in
their individual capacity"
eff Congress rejects the annexation
treaty, then what?n
"a republic will undoubtedly be
established, but even then we will not
act hastily, as the matter is one OF the
gravest importance to all parties con-
cerned We shall wish to have repre-
sentative features in case of the estab-
lishment of q republic, and in the
meantime the Provisional Govern
ment will continue to act as at pres
emit"
"How many houses will the new
Legislature have?"
ssIhere is no doubt that there will
be two houses sitting independently
of each other and not together, as I'M
der the monarchy"
'tHow about the necessary quallflca-
lions to be eligible for office"
1.-THE sentiment seems to be that the
qualifications of the lower house
should be very slight. Greater educa-
tional qualifications will be necessary
than were formerly demanded, both
for voters and members of the House
of Representatives. The mere ability
to read and write, as formerly re-
quired, may mean nothing. My idea
is that we should have a board of eX-
animation organized to pass on yo-
ter's educational qualifications, and
that q certificate should then be issued
which would be good for all time. L
refer to an educational certificate on
Iy. This would be especially neces-
sary if the Japanese were allowed to
vote.n
"How about the Japanese ques-
tion?'
siNothing as yet has been decided,
but the Japanese Government is press
ing for the voting suffrage for their
subjects here-not for all, as originally
asked for, but for those becoming per-
manent residents of the Islands. With
Japan it is largely question of senti-
ment, as that nation objects to being
termed Asiatic, as that term is now
used. We have two treaties with
Japan. One includes the favored-na-
ton clause, another embraces what
might be called the labor-convention
clause-that is, in regard to the intro
duction of labor. We enjoy no treaty
with China, although she has her
consular representative here. The
Chinese Government has never made
any special request in regard to the
Chinese subjects here, but neverthe-
less we may possibly include Chinese
residents of the better class in the list
of voters, provided they enjoy the nee
essary educational qualifications, as
many already do"
'What, in your opinion, is the sem
timent of the Chinese and japanese
toward the restoration of u mon
archy?"
sfThe Japanese and Chinese engaged
in legitimate enterprise are without
doubt in favor of good, pure and hon
est government. Like business men
of other natioualities, they would ia
vor annexation or a good self-govern-
ment for the Islands in case of such a
decision. Gamblers, smugglers, and
those interested in lotteries, would
prefer return of the old monarchy,
of course"
''In regard to the upper house or
Senate, what will be the qualifica-
tions?'
''That would be left also to popular
ballot, I presume. Both as to voters
and those eligible for the Senate, the
qualifications will embrace a certain
AMOUNT of taxable property and spe-
cific legitimate income. Formerly to
be eligible for the House of Mobiles a
man must have possessed $4,000 worth
of taxable property, an income OF $500
and had to be % years of age. The
same applied to the voter, except as to
age, which was 90. We may raise the
qualifications as to property and in
come in the future. The qualifica-