The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1895-04-09

5. NJ. Damon, Minister of Finance
in the Hawaiian Cabinet, is at the
Occidental. He arrived by the steam
or Wednesday, and left for Shasta
county the same evening, returning
on Friday, says the s. F. Examiner OF
March 31st. There have been rumors
that the Hawaiian Government was
in hard row for money, and that it
might go bankrupt at any time. These
rumors, however, were generally
vague. A. B. Spreckels said yester-
day that he did not doubt that the
Government was close run for money,
but that he did not know it as fact.
Others pointed out that the English
loan of 100000 had never been paid
in any part, and that the entire in
debtedness at the close of the monar-
chy was about $3,000,000, which has
now increased to fully 100000. 1t
was added that, whereas under King
Kalakaua, when $4,000 a year was
asked for the military maintenance
and there was always vigorous pro-
test, now the cost was fully 100000,
and the general monthly expenses
fully $4,000 additional. This means
ruin, according to those not in accord
with the expenditures. Things were
even in better shape now than they
would have been, because of the late
collection of faxes.
The arrival of Mr.. Damon aroused
much interest, for it was surmised
that he was here to negotiate loan.
Minister Damon said the finances
of the new government were in good
condition. He is of the firm of Bishop
Sc Co, bankers, and Mr.. Bishop has
for long time resided in this city.
81 merely came up to see my part
ner, Mr.. Bishop, on some business
matters" said Mr.. Damon. "I do
that every once in awhile. There is
nothing significant about my visit"
Mr.. Damon's attention was called
to q statement of Joaquin Miller,
wherein it was recounted that money
was very scarce, and the future
continuance of the Government
doubtful.
81 don't see how that is made out"
he said. eff the financial statements
issued every week were read, people
would see that our finances were in a
good condition. The Governments
current account the day left was,
think, 1858 900, the loan account $45,-
900, and the Postal Savings Bank had
a balance of 1882 .000."
Mr.. Damon said he did not under
stand the alleged persona non grata
system as regards Minister Thurston
at Washington.
"When [ LETT Hawaii said Minis
ter Damon, "nOt a word had been re-
ceived by our Government about it. L
would have known it if there had. It
seems singular to me. Mr.. Thurston
is, however, en- route, and will reach
here Monday and leave for the islands
on Wednesday.
'"The fact is there may, to my mind,
be little in the statements of alleged
difficulty with Mr.. Gresham. Mr..
ThurstOn would go home anyhow. It
is the period at Washington when no
body is there, and there is nothing to
do. Mr.. Thurston long ago wrote that
he intended to come. Besides, he
wants to look after his business inter
ests. He is a lawyer, and besides this
is interested in cattle ranch on the
islands,"
ANOTHER ACCOUNT.
Samuel M. Damon, the Honolulu
banker and Minister of Finance under
the Hawaiian Republic. arrived from
the islands yesterday on the steamer
Australia Mr.. Damon's trip to San
Francisco is on q matter of private
business, and has nothing to do with
the affairs of the Government.
"There is nothing new in the isl
ands," said Minister Damon, when
seen upon his arrival yesterday.
"Martial law was suspended on the
18th inst, two days before the steamer
left Honolulu. Excitement over the
recent unpleasantness has entirely dis
appeared, business has relapsed into |
its normal condition, and people and |
affairs are pursuing the even tenor of
their ways.
"The ex-Queen is incarcerated in
the Executive building, serving out
her sentence of five years imprison-
ment. Her imprisonment has been
committed from imprisonment at hard
labor to imprisonment in the Execu-
tive building, and, as far as have
been advised, that will be her home
during the remainder of her term of
imprisonment.
81 visited Liliuokalani the day be-
fore the steamer left. While not
thoroughly happy in her prison, l
found her comfortably situated"
Minister Damon says it is not con-
templated that any of the long term
sentences imposed upon the persons
who took an aggressive part in the
revolution will be carried out. he
says that eventually all OF the SEN
fences will be reconsidered and, doubt
less, modified very materially.-S. F.
Chronicle, March 2S.