The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1894-04-17
Hawaii Preparing for Constitution.


There seems to be some misconception
current with regard to the status OF the
movement for q permanent constitutional
Government In the Hawaiian Islands. Some
American newspapers. for instance. have
published what Is termed an outline of the
forthcoming Constitution. Allsuch reports
are obviously premature and conjectural.
It will be for the Constitutional Convention.
when IL meets some six weeks hence. to
formulate the organic law OF the islands,
and. further, to determine whether this shall
be promulgated in the form OF a decree. or
shall be submitted for adoption or rejection
TO the registered electors.
In the process OF constitution-making
only one step has thus far been taken. but
that is an important one. The Provisional
Government has prescribed the qualifica-
tons of the voters who will be permitted
20 take part In the election Of the delegates
70 the Constitutional Convention. The time
fixed for the registration of such voters will
expire on Saturday Of this week. and the
election will take place on May 20. The
conditions exacted Of an applicant for regis
tratlon are two: First, he must be of Ha-
waiian. American. or European birth; sec
ondly. he must take an oath OF allegiance to
the Provisional Government. an oath which
shall be binding up to the Inauguration OF
the constitutional regime. The purport OF
the first condition Is manifestly this: II ad-
mits to the suffrage all persons born In
Hawaii. whether Of native Hawaiian. Amer
lean. or European parents. and all half
castles; also. all American. German. Portu-
guese. English. and other foreign-born
Of ha IaI
nese. who have as yet made no
claim to the franchise. and the jap
anese. for whom 1t has been officially
demanded. are alike excluded. 1t should be-
borne In mind. however. that this restric-
ton Of the franchise Is only provisional.
When the Constitutional Convention makes
ANAL regulations concerning the suffrage. it
may confer the right OF voting on those
Japanese and Chinese who are able to
speak and read the English language. Eng
lish being at once the Official and the popu-
lar language Of the islands. IL would be alb
surd TO give the franchise to those who
cannot even read the laws which they are
expected to obey. As to the requirement OF
m oath OF provisional allegiance to the Pro-
visional Government this is justified by
the right OF self-preservation. When We
formed our first State Constitution In New
York We allowed no one TO take part In the
election Of delegates TO the Convention e.
eept those who upon oath abjured the SOW
sreignty Of the British crown.
What the Constitutional Convention elect
I'd on this basis will do. remains to DO seen.
Al that the best-informed correspondents
at Honolulu can tell US Is what outline Of a
Constitution is expected to be advocated by
the Provisional Government. As to this
programme the reports agree In most par
ticulars. but differ In some. The persons
now In power will suggest. II Is said. that
the executive functions shall be vested In
> President. but whether the Chief Magis-
trate shall be elected by the qualified voters,
~ In the United States. or by the two
Houses OF the Parliament in Joint session,
Is In France. will be left for the Convention
% decide. The President Is to have Cabi-
net made up OF i've Ministers. 10 wit. OF
State. OF Finance. OF the Interior. Of JUS
tiee. and of Health and Education; but
whether these are to be accountable solely
70 the Executive. as in the United States.
81 10 the popular branch Of the Legislature.
- In France and England. We have yet 70
learn. In other words. We know not
WHISTLER the Hawaiian Provisional Govern
msnt will favor the adoption for their con-
stitutionAl regime. Of the Presidential or
1hs Parliamentary type OF administTa-
siOn. As to the Legislature. this. II
seems. according 70 the project suggested
~ the Provisional Government. will con-
LIST Of two chambers. viz, an Assembly OF