Huntsville gazette., 1894-06-16

The Constitutional Convention In Session
and Getting TO Business-rhe Style of
the New Governnent-The Principal Pro-
visions of the Proposed Constitution
While Not Saying So in So Many Words.
1t Discriminates Against Asiatics.
VICTORIA, b. c., June 12.-The fol-
lowing advices have been received by
Press representatives at Honolulu,
dated June g.:
The constitutional convention has
been occupied with its organization for
the past two days. A strongly sup
ported petition was made to give seat
in the convention to l.. A. Thurston,
without, however, giving him voting
power. This proposition received but
three votes from the delegates. John
McCandless was chosen to the adj
visory council, vice Edsuhr, and is also
an ex-officio member of the conven-
tion.
The draft of the constitution pre-
pared ~ the executive council was dis
tributed to the members of the conven-
tion yesterday afternoon. 1t Is lengthy
document, an examination of which
discloses its peculiar features those
which are given in the following sum-
maryi
The government Is called "The Republic OF
Hawaii.
There is a president, no vice president a
cabinet of four ministers, an advisory council
OF fifteen members and legislature consisting
OF senate and house of repres entativeS, sit
ting separately, and each composed of fifteen
members.
All voters mdst be born Or peturalized citi-
zens and must Be able to read; write and speak
the English or Hawaiian language With fiGeney.
Electors or senators must possess property
valued at $4,000, or yearly income of 5000. An
alien who wishes to qualify for naturalization
must come from country with which Hawaii
has treaty concerning naturalization. They
must be able to read and write English fluent
ly; must possess property valued at 300 and
must renounce all foreign allegiance. A spe-
eial exception, however. is made in the case of
all aliens who aided and supported the provi-
slonal government. They may receive deniZa-
tion or naturalization, and be free TO vote with
out the above qualification. All voters must
abjure monarchy.
The president is to be elected for term of
slX years and can not succeed himself. He Is
to be chosen by majority of both houses sit
ting together, but the majority must also in
clude majority Of the senate. He is to have
the usual powers of the chief magistrats. The
first president is named in the constitution and
is to continue in Office until December 81. 1900
The advisory council are appointed, five by
each house of congress and five by the presi-
dent The council is to act in cases of par
dons, the appropriation Of money and in great
emergencies
In case of presidential vacancy or suspcn-
sion, the Office is to be filed by of the cab
met, until new president can be elected.
In the event of the failure of the Legislature
tor I,
the power to pay the necessary expenses in ac-
cordance with the last appropriation bill.
There is permanent roll subject to amend
fnent by the legislators.
If one house adjourns without the consent Of
the other, the latter goes on alone with COM
plete legislative power. No session can exceed
sixty working days without the consent Of the
president. The president may veto any speci-
fcatlon of the appropriation bill
The president and the senate have power to
conclude treaty of commercial and political
union with the United States.
Local boards of registration shall act on each
island, The qualifications of voters are to be
rigidly scfttinized The legislature may pro-
vide bylaws for the supervision, registration
control and identification of all persons and
any class nationality of persons, and may
also restrict and limit the term of residence
and business or employment Of all persons
coming into the republic. This meets the case
of Asiatic immigrants. .
Freedom of speech and press does not permit
advocancy of the restoration OF the monarchy.
Noalien unlawfully entering the republic, is
entitled to a writ of habeas corpus as Of right.
All treaties are ratified and confirmed. All
commissions are vacated on September. T. 1894.
The first regular session of the legislature is
to be held on the third Wednesday Of February
1896, and biennially thereafter
No reference is made to Asiatics in the con-
sttution. The provisions for naturalization
tend TO exclude all such from voting.
All existing laws ana rights are confirmed;
crown lands are declared to be the property of
the government and lotteries are prohibited.
The advisory council continues in full legis-
lative and other authority until the legislature
| is convened.
The first election shall be held within three
months after the PRONUNCIATION of the new con-
| stituton. The registry of voters in the elec-
| ton of MAY shall determine the voters for
representatives. Voters for senators only
| shall be specially registered at that time.