The Independent. [volume] (Honolulu, H.I.) 1895-1905, 1897-11-24
The Hawaiian Annual for 1898.

waiians are justly proud of as a
home production, and as an invalu-
able encyclopaedia of all pertaining
to Hawaii that is OF practical benefit
and full of interest. AS statist-
clan it leaves nothing TO be desired,
while its special articles are full Of
information pleasantly written and
meritoriously conceived to instruct
strangers to our shores and to entire
them hitherwards. 1t is but natural,
under personal circumstances, that
iu the instances in which political
observations and reflections are
made they have to he colored or
darkened to suit the political COM
plexions of the Government, but in
this years issue considerable moder-
alton has been shown in this connec-
ton, leaving a more modest air Of
attempted impsrtiality than in pre-
ceding numbers.
The thought may strike large mum
bers of the readers OF the Hawaiian
Annual, that with such splendid
showing made by our Islands under
their present Government, wherein
lies the necessity OF changing our
conditions from acknowledged pros.
perity and we'll doing for speculative
attempts for improvement in which
the result is but obviously outlined,
and wherein the clamor for the
change emanates only from the few
who have already enriched them
selves under past and existing
arrangements. 1t suggests too
much of the losing OF the. substance
in grasping at the shadow. But
nevertheless the reading of the
Annual makes one feel proud Of be-
ing honestly associated with such
bright little Oasis in the monotonous
waste of the ocean.
Among the most interesting and
valuable of the special contributions
are those on Cotton by l.. D. Tim
mons who thinks that industry
might be developed to bring $575 an
acre; by DR.. Serene e. Bishop on
the differences between Hawaii and
Japan, being loyal piece of advo-
cacy and special pleading for the
side taken by our Government in
the controversy, but for him clever
ly handled; by Professor W. d.
Alexander who deals with Education
in Hawaii in his customary cautious
and experienced manner.
Mr.. Alatau Il. Atkinson ia natural
| ly the fittest author to deal with the
Census aud he makes a most read
able and interesting contribution.
DR.. Bishop cannot leave poor Eng
laud alone in his article on Pearl
Harbor, although he we'll knows that
the "Mistress OF the Seas" would
not take the place as gilt from
Government which obtained its title
by means condemned by President
of the United States and his Cab.
net; aud il she did want
it she would not consult
him or his associates. Pearl Harbor
will yet become the cause OF the
ruin and desolation OF Hawaii.
James B, Castles article on the
Labor Outlook" is but asother
plausible and superficial plea to aid
the cause Of annexation.
1t is but natural that Sanford B.
Dole's articles on the Constitution
of Hawaii and the Hawaiian Land
policy should reflect the views OF
the President of the Republic, and
that the Chief Justice should be
competent to write on the Judiciary
of Hawaii while Attorney General
Smith should certainly know some
thing of the autocratic Bureau he is
supposed to guide with intelligence
and ability whatever some folks
say"
Mr.. Anterior aud Mr.. Timmons
furnish short but interesting articles
on sugar and coffee as our money
making industries, and Mr.. Arm
strong's article on Agricultural pos.
sibilities affords food for intelligent
thought.
James Stacker comes cheerfully to