The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1897-01-09
Mr.. DOLE'S ANALYSIS
THE PRESIDENT MAKES AN EPI-
TOME OF THE CONSTITUTION.
\ Review for His Alma Mater-Com-
Able Essay-Bits of History.

The following portion of a letter
from President Dole to his college
(Williams) dated last May, and which
was published in a recent number of
the Boston Post, may be of general in
terest, in that it deals with some in
teresting features of the Hawaiian
Constitution:
You have mentioned the kind inter-
est of the college men in our work
here. I should be glad to have them
know that | appreciate this very much
indeed. We out here who have been
working for an upward tendency in
human affairs amid some anxiety and
difficulty have been greatly strength
ened by the sympathy and moral sup
port that have come to us from many
sources and especially from your coun-
try.
There are many things in our status
and experience which are of interest
to the student of political evolution.
For years the Monarchy had been
tending downward to It's destruction;
the general attitude toward it of those
who were in the movement which has
resulted in the establishment of a Re-
public, had been one of friendliness
toward the former, which was shown
by their persistent effort to compel a
competent administration of affairs
and to develop the Monarchy in the
direction of a representative system Of
Government.
In 1887 the corrupt administration
of the King caused a crisis, in which
he saved his throne by concessions to
the just demands of the liberal party,
which were embodied in new con-
stitution. After which, however, both
he and his sister, the eX-Queen, siren
uously sought to evatle it's guatantees
and to destroy its sanctions. This was
endured with many misgivings until
the Queen attempted to abrogate this
constitution and to proclaim new
one suited to her own ideas of Govern
ment. This revolutionary act brought
on the crisis of 1898.
The new government was given a
provisional form in view of the eX-
pectation that the Hawaiian Islands
would shortly be made a part of the
American system. Upon the failure of
these expectations and the prospect
that the consummation of political
union with the United States would be
delayed, it became necessary to pro-
vide permanent form of government.
In this work, it is needless to say,
that the Constitution of the United
States was of paramount influence; I;
but there being no analogy here to the
American system of state govern
ments,we had to provide in one doc
ument for every exercise of authority.
Moreover, the cosmopolitan char
acter of our population, made up of
several diverse races, and the prevail
ing ignorance and want of appreca-
ton of even the elementary principles
of representative government, made i.
necessary for us to diverge materially
from the American idea of the suf-
frage. Educational and property quail
ifiications were adopted which are
more severe in regard to electors of
the upper House than the lower.
Other features of your constitution
we have improved upon as we believe,
at any rate for our circumstances.
The President is elected by the two
gether, but the majority of votes elect
ing the President must include ma
jority also of the Senatorial votes.
The President is elected for six
years and is ineligible to succeed him
self.
There is no Vice President, but in
case of vacancy in the office of Pres
ident some Minister, according to an
order of fixed precedence, succeeds
temporarily to his position. holding Il
until new President is elected.
The President may veto any item OF
items of an appropriation bill with
out vetoing the whole bill.
The President anu the Ministers
form an Executive Council, with eX-
tensive powers, but no measure can
pass the Executive Council except by
a majority including the vote of the
President.
The members of the Cabinet are
called Ministers and they are eX-officc
members of both Houses of the Legs
lature, but without the right to vote
Appropriation bills originate only
with the Ministry and are first intro
duced i'm the Senate.
Sessions of the Legislature are lin
tied to ninety days and may be ex
tended by the President for an addi
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