The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1895-06-27
Former Pastor of Central Union
Writes Of Hawaiian Cabinet.
MEN WHO HAVE srooD THE TEST.
Happy Solution of DtmcuIt Problem
Showing statesmHnshiP OF the High
est Order-Few Marked Differences
from American Methods, Etc.

The following article is from the
pen of Rev. J. A. Cruzan, a former
pastor of Central Union Church.
1t was published recently in a reli-
gious publication in the States:
In January, 1898, Liliuokalani (pro-
nounced lie lee wo ka. !a-nee), who
had succeeded her brother, Kalakaua
(Ka- -la-k kau-a), as sovereign of Hawaii,
threw off the mask that she had
worn for two years. By her alliance
with the opium and lottery rings, and
by the laws enacted by her sanction,
which virtually gave those infamies
control of the nation, she showed her
utter unfitness to rule. In her insane
attempt to overthrow the liberal Con
stitution, which she had solemnly
sworn to uphold, and to substitute for
it another which clothed her with
almost absolute power, she was guilty
of treason and virtually abdicated.
When the people resumed the power
that they had intrusted to one who
had proved herself so unworthy, they
faced very difficult problem, namely,
What form of government could be
successfully substituted for monarchy
AS for half century American states
men, including such men as Webster
and Blaine, had held that this repub-
lie must control Hawaii, and as this
policy had crystaliZed in 1876 I'm the
Reciprocity treaty, which virtually
made the islands an American com
mercial COLONY, "our kin beyond the
sea" were led to seek, as the n1ost
natural solution Of the problem con-
fronting them, annexation TO the
United States. This being denied
them, the Hawaiian statesmen at
once set themselves to find the best
form of self-gOvernment. Hawaii has
less than 100000 people. The pure and
mixed Hawa1ians-easy-g going, laugh
ter-loving, unreliable children grown
to manhood's stature-number AZ, 800;
the Chinese, 14,500; the japanese,
about 10000; and the Portuguese,
mostly ignorant Catholics, unable TO
read any language, $500. OF intelli-
gent, English speaking foreigners
there are about II 600 In this great
prepOnderance of ignorance over in
telligence lay the difficulty OF self
government. A republic like cur own
would meet inevitable wreck.
lem the best brain and heart of Ha-
waii gave itself. On July 4, 1894, a
significant day, constitution for the
Republic of Hawaii was proclaimed.
1t is admirably adapted to Hawaips
peculiar situation, and shows states
manship of the highest order. Closely
modelled upon our own constitution,
it differs from it in many things, and
introduces many reforms that have
been advocated by prominent states
men.
Note few marked differences from
American methods. The president is
chosen for term of six years Ga sec
ond consecutive term is prohibitedl by
the two houses of the Legislature, in
Joint session. The successful candi-
date must have majority OF all the
Senators and OF the Legislature. The
president has power to veto specific
items in appropriation bills, prevent
ing our system of "riders." The
members of the cabinet have seats in
both houses OF the Legislature, with
all the privileges except voting. All
appropriation bills must be introduced
by the cabinet.
The Legislature consists of two
houses of fifteen members each. All
the representatives and five senators
are chosen at biennial elections held
III CGDIGulD6E vi Ll6 Oul years, ana
the Legislature meets in the following
February. There are educational and
property qualifications for both of
fees. A system of Gun ulative voting
provides for minority representation.
Election contests are to be decided by
the supreme court. Presiding officers
of both houses are "Czar Reeds,U and
are authorized TO count to see whether
a quorum exists. No law can be
enacted without an affirmative vote
of One-half of all the members Of each
house. Note this group of "refOrmsu
on American methods: Minority rep
resentation, election of senator's bv
the people, a session of Congress
closely following election, and the
elimination Of partizanship from elec-
tiOu contests.
A unique body is the Council OF
State, of fifteen memb bers, five elected
by each house of the Legislature, and
five chosen by the president, to hold
office from the close of one session of
the Legislature to the close Of another.
When the Legislature il not i'm ses-
sion, the president and his cabinet
may at any time call this Council to-
gether for advice, or 10 appropriate
needed money. This Counc + also
a board OF pardODs and is 10 stand
ready in any emergency TO give the