The Washington times., 1894-06-12
HAWAII is A REPUBLIC.
The Constitution Is Very Similar to That
Of Our Government.


VICTORIA. B. c., June 1.-THE steamer
Arawai, from Australian ports, to-day brings
important dispatches. The Arawai left Hon
olulu on the I'd of June, when the new con-
stitution of Hawaii was the all-absorbipS
topic Of conversation and debate. It had
just been promulgated and published. Its
first section, dealing with the rights of per-
sons and property. recognizes God as the
supreme ruler OF the universe and declares
for universal equality and liberty Of the press
and Hawaiian subjects. Any newspaper,
however, which advocates restoration OF the
monarchial government, or any speaker tax
ing the platform in the queens cause or sug-
gesting force TO accomplish a change of gov
ernment, shall be considered traitor and
treated accordingly. The right OF habea5
corpus is declared to be vested in all men and
only to be suspended in time of national
peril. 1t Ia not available TO persons having
entered the country Illegally. The right Of
trial in all cases is decreed and slavery for-
ever prohibited. Whenever a slave shall
enter the territory of the republic the consti-
tuition enacts 'he shall be free"
Articles II, IL and 13--Relating to the
powers Of taxation and appropriation vested
in the legislature of eminent domain and OF
military subsection to law, follow close the
lines OF the American Constitution. The repub-
lie of Hawaii Is the form OF government de-
cided upon the territory to include all pre-
viously known as the kingdom OF Hawaii and
the right of citizenship is extended to- First
Persons born in Hawaiian Islands. Second
Persons naturalized according to the laws
enacted in his behalf. Third-Persons who,
not being Hawaiian citizens, have taken an
active part in the formation Of the republic
or supported the provisional government, in
which cases all usual qualifications are to be-
waived.
Letters OF denization are provided for IN
case of the temporary residence of those who
do not desire citizenship. The government
of the republic is divided into executive. leg
islative and judicial branches, the powers of
each being preserved distinct and separate.
The executive power is vested in the presi-
dent and cabinet of four: Minister OF foreign
affairs minister Of the interior, minister Of
finance and attorney general.
The president is required to be not less
than IS years OF age, native of the islands
or resident therein for not less than fifteen
years, and a citizen. He shall be elected TO
hold Office for six years, and cannot succeed
himself in office. The president, with the ap-
proval OF the senate, appoints members OF the
cabinet judges Of the supreme and circui8
courts, and the auditor general and the diplos
matte consular representatives TO foreign
countries. Minor appointments Of officials OK
all classes resident in the country also are to
be named by the president and his cabinet.
All legislative powers are vested In a les,is-
lature consisting of two houses, senate and
house OF representatives. who shall organ-
ize and sit separately, except as especially
provided otherwise. The senate shall consist
Of fifteen members and be elected to hold
Office for six years; the house OF representa-
tives also shall consist of fifteen members,
elected every second year.
The first regular session OF the legislature
shall convene on the third Wednesday IN
February. 1896, and biennially thereafter IN
Honolulu.