Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-07-28

the convention would go to pieces on this
rock; that the problem could not be solved.
In point of fact it had been solved, with no
injustice to any man having rights in the
country. That was a grand thing, a thing
to be proud of. So of the question of the
executive and the PRONUNCIATION of the con-
stituti01. 1t was a marvellous thing that
Under all these difficulties and wide differ
epCes of opinion a result had been reached
which was ur animously ratified with not
one dissenting voice.
Delegate ViYas Portuguese) said: 1.-THE
mass meeting of the other night had shown
that the people were satisfied with the work
of the builders. All had confidence in the
leader who had been continued at the head
of affairs"
Delegate Baldwin CAmerico- Hawaiian
said: The change from a monarchy to
republic was great one, especially to the
native Hawaiian, accustomed to the feudal
IDEAS. But the conciliatory policy of the
government would soon reconcile them to a
government which gave them more rights
than they had ever had before. Personal
preferences had been set aside in order to
forward the one aim to establish a republic
for the benefit of all.''
President DoIe's Tribute.
President Dole said: "Tbe work done here
had been of high character and would be of
great historical Importance. The members
of the convention would always remember
each other with regard because of this work.
which they had done in common so rapidly,
irdustriously and harmonicusly. 1t was a
great satisfaction to him to know that the
work OF the provisional government was
now Gone, and done with so few mistakes.
The difficulties had been very great There
mad beer times when rumors of attack of
the most circumstsntial kind had been al
most the daily food of the government.
Ihat had been the case during the last ten
days. The representative character of the
hN hn
proval which its acts had received from the
beginning until the end yesterday. They
nust do all in their power to promote har-
nony and good feeling, so that when the
others were ready to come in the right hand
OF good-f allowship could be extended to
Them
Correction of Important Errors.
The statement has appeared in American
papers friendly to the provisional govern
ment that the new constitution would rem
der the government an oligarchy. This is
very serious error, and should be corrected.
There is no element whatever of oligarchy
in the government created by the new con-
stitution 1t Is strictly republican, and in
high degree democratic. The constitution
of the lower house Of the legislature is
thoroughly democratic. On account of the
imperfect intelligence of the native Ha-
waiian majority of the voters, who, al
though not iliterate, are childish in intel
lect, thriftless, and in bondage to the ka-
huna sorcerers it became vitality necessary
to closely limit the suffrage for the senate.
The voters for senator's must have 5000 of
income. This will include the majority of
the white skilled worknen, and a small
minority of the natives The senate chosen
bu such constituency cannot possibly be
shown to be an oligarchy. Upon this senate
practically devolves the ontrCllinG power of
the government. All leading officials must
be appointed with their consent. and a ma
jority of the senate must vote for the presi-
dent, well as a majority of both houses,
sitting together. So far. then. as the gov
eminent falls short of full democracy, rs
realized in the United States. it is very
liberal republican, and in no sense what
ever oligarchic, any more than it is mon
archie. Three-fourths of the sena torial
electors are wo-kingmen some thousands
in number. Are such body of men an
oligarchy?
Cntcnahle Criticisms on the COnstitu-
tiOn.
The objection has been made that this
new government fails to be republican be-
cause it abridises the power of the lower
house to block the government by refusing
appropriations. The government in case of
a failure to pass an appropriation bill can
keep en- with the last appropriations. and
the pay roll of salaries is permanent, sub
ject only to legislative amendment. No de-
cent lower house ever tries thus to block
the government 1t is very likely that n
demagoSues who would do such thing.
This constitution wisely puts ii out of their
power But the senate can always make a
controlling power felt over the administra-
ton; and both will yield much to the lower
house in order to secure new appropria tons
and other enactments which are desired.
This constitution ID liberal to the verge of
Peril, considering the character of the ma
tive Hawaiian voters, 10 whom, in fact
more power is given than they had under
the monarchy, where very large proper
ten of power was reserved for the sever
eign.
1t seems most probable that this constitu-
ton viii highly commend itself to statesmen
as the product of an unusual amount of sa-
gacity and patriotic benevolenCe, and as
likely to attain i'm an exceptional degree
the best ends of government. Present in
dicationS are. that the natives and other roy
tlists will register in considerable numbers
for the coming election. Any attempt on
their part to rise against the government
seems to be out of the question. There is
every prospect of peace and order, of estab-
lished public confidence and steady pro-
gresS. KAMEHAMEHA