The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1894-09-12
ABOUT SPECIAL RIGHTS.
PROsPECTIvE VOTERS SHOULD
QUALIFY NOW.
Lesson For Portuguese and Foreigners
who Do Not Speak English-Food
For Honest Thought.

The question of the Importance of for
eigners in this country taking out spec
ial rights of citizenship for the purpose
of voting in coming elections has been
raised and proves to be of more serious
moment than Is generally anticipated
Portuguese and others have neglected
registering for no reason save a presump-
ton that some other time would do as
well. They are men who aided in estab-
fishing and supporting the Provisional
Government. and are able to qualify I'M
der no other provision of the Constitu-
ton. They are unable to read and write
the English language, and, except Tor
the saving clause above mentioned,
could not get in.
The first thing to which the attention
of such persons is directed by the Con-
stitution is the fact that the Board of
Examiners for special rights of citizen
ship will not sit again until the autumn
of 1897, or three years from the present
time. All intervening elections will
proceed upon the enrolment at this sit
ting, save for, perhaps, notifications
which circumstances coming up in the
meantime may render expedient. AT
the least it may be reduced to the bare
fact that person failing to obtain his
papers granting the special rights of
citizenship at the present session of the
Board, is debarred romparticipating in
any election which may become neces-
sary within the next three years.
The next thing to be considered, and
with more than ordinary attention, is
the difficulty OF proving qualifications
after an expiration OF three years. This
is particularly easy now. A man may
approach the Board this year, or to-day,
and produce witnesses to prove that he
has been supporter of the Provisional
Government when, three years hence,
his evidence, by innumerable circum-
stances ard contingencies, may have
been swept from him. In such case he
will find it easier to crawl through the
eye of needle than to get his vote in
this country.
1t is adjudged the height OF folly for a
man to presume that because he pos
sesses the ability to qualify for special
rights of citizenship this year, he holds
a close monopoly on these qualifications
and may utilize them on call at any
moment during the coming years. If
there is doubt as to his ability to
register at the present time the very
nature of things shows that each day
tile matter is postponed the farther from
the desired end the aspirant for election
privileges will be. A change of Boards
in 1897 might forever blast mans iden-
tity, when he could never hope to grasp
the extraordinary privileges and rights
offered this year.
A man, be he Portuguese or what
not, who can not read and VIZ tie the
English language in 1894 cannot hope
for much improvement along this line
unless a studious application for that
specific purpose is made. This no Portu-
guese expects to do, or will do, and at
the next sitting of the Board of Exam
liners he will be found as far from the
qualification as at the present time.
A careful inquiry into the subject
would make it appear that the princi-
pal reason for this neglect is merely
neglect or unconcern and disposition
to let well enough alone without regard
of the injury to the individual the wait
ing policy may incur
The chief point to remember, there
fore, are that if man is eminently able
to qualify it will be easier to obtain his
special rights of citizenship now than il
can ever be again; and if his qnalifi-
cations are in any way doubtful at the
present time, if he fails to register, his
chances for voting are, except under
special circumstances, at an end.