The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1898-09-08
SECRECY.

The habit of secrecy seems TO have
become ingrained in connection with
the conduct OF the Hawaiian Govern
ment both in it's internal affairs and
the dealings with it of American rep
resentatives.
The concealing from the people Of
what is being done by their servants in
matters other than diplomatic negotia-
tiOns with foreign nations, is un-Amer-
lean, un-repubHcan. and accomplishes
no good purpose.
If the local government Will take the
people more into their confidence as to
what is going on, they Will receive
more support than they now do and
avoid many Of the criticisms which are
made concerning their methods and ac-
tiOns, simply through ignorance of
what is being done or contemplated.
The secrecy OF the proceedings OF the
representatives of the United States
concerning Hawaii in the past and Of
the present Commission, is something
unknown i'm the usual American pro-
cedure.
Dating from the time Of Blount who
conducted his examination here on the
lines of the Inquisition, mystery has
followed mystery. BlOunt was succeed
ed by the mysterious fy-by-night per
fOrmances of Minister Willis who, for
a couple of months, continued to shake
hands with President Dole with one
band r1rbi1o bo r,apippIotoJ Tho mo
chinery for the restoration of Liliuoka-
lani with the other. Lately we were
treated to a still more intense and deli
cious mystery concerning the exceed
ingly commonplace performances at
tendant upon the transfer of jurisdic-
ton from the Hawaiian to the United
States Government.
This has now been succeeded by the
American Commission, which is con-
Quoting its entire proceedings under
oath of secrecy solemnly administered
to each of its members and employees.
The future government of this coun-
try is now being settled within the four
walls of Aliiolani Hale while no citi-
zen on the outside of the sacred circle |
hears a whisper of what is taking |
place.
1t is true that a general invitation /
has been extended to any one who |
wishes to address the Commission to |
come in and talk, but it is a difficult
matter to argue against a blank wall,
and unless the community knows what
is up for consideration there is no like
lihood of any intelligent presentation
of sentiment being made.
The people are terested-vitally in
terested-in what the Commission is
doing and is going to do, but unless the
people know what subjects are up for
consideration and what is being sug
gested, how can there be any intelligent
thought or discussion?
The soul of every free government is
free discussion and publicity.
Why should there be any more sec
recy at the initiation of period of
more advanced freedom in govern
ment than there is after it's consumma-
ton?
If there is any time when the public
interests need full publicity, it is now,
when the foundation principles of our
future government are being decided
upon.
Everything laid before the Commits
sion will become public when they re-
turn to washington; AFTER they have
drawn their conclusions. Why not let
us have the benefit of knowing what is
being said and done now, before the
Commission has decided?
If any private interests are asking
for improper special privileges this
community is entitled to know it and
to make known their objections there
to, if any there are.
In the interests of the entire COM
munity and the future of this country,
the Commission is respectfully urged to
give to the public some indication of
what subjects are being considered by
them and what proposals have been
presented to them, in order that an in
telligent expression of opinion concern
ing such subjects may be obtained from
the citizens and residents of the cOun-
try who will have to live under the gov
eminent which the Commissioners are
mn FNW