The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1896-02-07
A Review Of the Gable Situa-
ton.
WHAT THE COUNTRY NEEDS.
An Inter-Island Cable "a Necessity.
The Spalding Franchise Discussed.
Possibilities of Aid from the Unit
ed States Government, etc.

HONOLULU, Dec. l3.-The news
OF what happens on these islands out
side of Oahu, on which this town Is
situated, arrives here from three to
seven days after occurrence. You'd
think that at least an inter-island
cable would long since have material
lied, but do not find that the sugar
planters, who have made great for
tunes within the last twenty years,
thanks to the reciprocity treaty with
the United States, have bestowed
much thought on the improvement OF
the land of their adoption. Some
years ago the Government accepted
the offer Of an American to establish
inter island telegraph,c communities
tion, the contract guaranteeing the
payment of $4,000 after successful
completion of the undertaking. One
telegram was received from Que island
and then the cable parted forever.
The contractor had his labor for his
pains, wretched materials had been
used, and no further effort was made
to put a gridle round this family
group.
The tendency of the climate is to
prOcrastiDate. / am regarded as u
marvel of energy because l want TO
ego at things" at once and prefer
walking about town to driving. Not
since my glimpse of Spain have
been in country where tomorrow ia
regarded with more favor than today.
1t is merely a question OF time when
am obsessed by the prevailing mi
crobe and postpone effort until the
day of Judgment. Before that time
arrives, however, L hope to have fold
ed my mosquito bar and quietly sail
away
This climatic influence should be
seriously considered in criticising the
peaceful and contented Inhabitants cf
Hawaii. How Colonel Spalding, who
has lived here for years, screwed him
self to the sticking point of cable
contract demonstrates herculean force
of character The terms OF this con-
tract grant unto Colonel Spalding and
| his representatives and assigns an ex-
elusive franchise for twenty years
from November |, 1895. The eastern
terminus of the first cable must be at
or near San Francisco and the western
! terminus at or near Honolulu. This
grant cannot he construed To prevent
treaty rights with the Republic of
Hawaii from landing II cable upon the
Hawaiian islands for other than COM
mercial purposes from any point in
North America.
Terms and conditions being fulfilled
and the legislature of the Hawaiian
Republic agreeing, there will be paid
to the contractor an annual subsidy
of $40 600, gold coin Of the United
States, for twenty years in equal quar-
terly install c1ents of $4,000. Exclu-
sive franchise, however, depends upon
the beginning of cable construction on
or before May, 1897, and the esta"-
fishing of telegraphic communica
| tions not later than November, 1898.
Further, the government OF the
United States must join the under
taking by the grant of substantial
assistance to the contractor. Failing
the cooperation of the United States,
the Hawaiian Government may can
eel the agreement by delivering a
written notice thereof at the house OF
Bishop & Co. in Honolulu not less
than sixty days in advance o. term
in alton.
This Government grants To the con-
tractor the free u-e of right of way
across Govern ment lands for the land
ing of cables or the construction OF
land lines connecting them. It also
grants suitable sites on any Govern
Inent lands approved by tn Govern
ment for the construction of stations
and storehOuses for maintaining or
operating the cables. Free. use of
these sites il accorded for twenty
years. Material for cable construc
tion, etc., will he admitted free of
duty for twenty years; properly CON
nected with the cables will be exempt
from taxation for twenty years and