The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1898-02-10
The LAW MAKERS
Beginning Of Session Fixed, But
Ending Indefinite.
THE CONSTITUTION ON Time
Not Longer Than Ninety Days-Ex-
tensions-PoWers of Lawmakers.
Restrictions Placed-Money.
THE CONSTITUTION ON TIME

1t is now pretty generally known
that the Legislature will convene at
noon on Wednesday of next week. I'm
less a message is received from Presi-
dent Dole by the steamer today, the
address TO the Senators and Represen-
tatives now being prepared by Acting
President Cooper, will be heard as the
voice of the Government and the adj
vice of the Chief Magistrate and his
associates in the conduct of executive
affairs.
When will the session end? This
question concerning the Legislature
has been asked good many times.
1t would take a rather wise indiyid-
ual to make anything like a correct
answer, even by approximation with
weeks as leeway. A couple of weeks
might suffice to handle the business.
It is of record abroad, however, that
Legislatures generally sit right up to
the time limit. The Hawaiian Consti-
Each session of the Legislature shall
continue not longer than ninety days,
excluding Sundays and holidays.
Provided however, that the Presi-
dent, with the approval of the Cabinet,
may extend such session for not more
than thirty days.
A prominent Government official
says it is quite safe to assume that
even in the event of annexation, the
| for some time. 1t would then be re-
quired to revise several Hawaiian stat
utes and would enact a number of
laws mot in conflict with the consti-
tuition of the United States" After
the annexation treaty is passed at
Washington there must be an exchange
of Publications finally and the whole
process of altering the conditions will
occupy several months.
| These are some of the restrictions
tplaced on the Legislature and some of
the privileges given it by the funda-
mental law of the Republic:
| The Legislature has the power to
enact wholesome laws not inconsistent
with this Constitution.
| The first regular session of the Leg
| islature shall be held on the third
| Wednesday in February, 1896, and
biennially thereafter, in Honolulu.
Neither House shall adjourn, dur
| ing any session, for more than three
days, or sine die, without the consent
| of the other.
If either House shall so adjourn
without the consent of the other, the
other House may proceed to legislate
as though it were the sole legislative
body, and may exercise the full pow
ers Of the Legislature.
Special sessions Of the Legislature
shall be held at such times as may be
indicated by the President in manner
herein provided or upon the call of
the Presiding Officer of the Senate
when requested in writing so to do by
two-thirds of the members of the Sen
ate; or at such other times as are here
in specially provided.
Appropriation bills can be intro
duced by members of the Cabinet only.
To become a law an act must be
voted for by two-thirds of the ''elec-
tive members"
The President has the right of veto.
The Legislature consists of a Senate
and House of Representatives with
a President and Speaker respectively
and other officers. w. G. Wilder will
doubtless continue as President of the
Senate. John Lot Kaulukou will prob
ably be Speaker Of the House. Mem
bers Of the diplomatic and consular
corps and officers of the navies repre-
scented in port will be invited formally
to attend the opening Of the Legisla
ture next week.