The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1894-08-10
QUALIFICATIONS OF VOTERS.

complained that the Constitution OF
the Republic was illiberal because
it allowed nobody to vote who had
not helped in the formation of the
Provisional Government. 1t may
seem strange perhaps that so erro,
neous an impression should be pos.
sible, vet upon reflection it is easily
understood. Only part, and that
the minority, of any community
busies itself with politics. The
rest tend TO their business, buy and
sell aud spend, contenting them
selves with such knowledge Of pub
lie affairs as they get from hear
say, and hearsay, as we all know,
is generally if not always wrong.
1t is not easy to acquire COM
prehensive and exact knowledge of
a constitution. Probably there
are members of the late Constitu-
tional Convention who do not fully
understand all parts of the instru-
ment which they helped to pass.
It is very important just now
that there should be no mistakes as
to the elective franchise. That
franchise is very liberal and does
justice to every class and every in
terest of Hawaii. For the sake of
disseminating exact information on
the subject, we subjoin Articles "A
and 76 Of the Constitution, describ-
ing the qualifications of voters for
Representatives and for Senators
In order to be eligible to vote for
Representatives, person shall:
!. Be a male citizen of the Republic;
and if naturalized prior to January
18th, 1898, be native of a country
having, or having had, treaty rela.
lions with Hawaii; or,
Have received special letters of
denizatiOn emitting him to all the
privileges of Hawaiian citizenship;
or.
Have received from the Minister of
the Interior the certificate of service
herein provided for.
2. Have resided in the represent
tative district in which he offers to |
register not less than one month i'm
mediately preceding the time at !
which he offers to register.
3. Have attained the age of twenty |
years.
4. Have taken and subscribed the
oath set forth in Article l0l of this
5. Prior to each regular election,
during the time prescribed by law for
have caused his name to
be entered on the Register of Voters ]
for Representative for his district.
6. Prior to such registration have
paid, on or before the first day of
January next preceding the date of
all taxes due by him to
the Government. Provided, however.
that for the registration for the first
election held under the provisions
herein. taxes may be paid at any time
prior TO the application for registra-
Ion.
7. Be able understandingly to speak,
cad and write the English or Ha-
yaiian language.
In order to comply with this re
Iuirement, he shall be able to read
md write, with ordinary fluency, any
section or sections of this COnsti-
utiOn.
Provided, however, that the require
nent that he shall be able under
to speak, read and write
he English or Hawaiian language,
hall not apply to those persons VINO
hall obtain the certificate of service
Is provided for in Article Il.
In order to be eligible to vote for
senators, a person must possess all
he qualifications and be subject to all
he conditions required by this Con-
of voters for Representatives
md, in addition thereto, he shall own
md be possessed in his own right of
cal property in the Republic of the
-alue of not less than fifteen hundred
lOllars over and above all encum- !
Frances, and upon which legal taxes
hall have been paid on that valul-
ion for the year next preceding the
me in which such person offers to {
egister; or personal property of the
'alue of not less han three thousand
dollars over and above all encum- !
frances; or shall have actually re-
eived a money income of not less
han six hundred dollars during the
ear next preceding the first day of
April next preceding the date of each
egistration; for the proof of which
Ie may be required to produce original
counts of the receipt Of such in {
ONE. :
The provision of the Constitution
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