The San Francisco call., 1898-08-23


 HONOLULU. Aug 16. Attorney General Smith has rendered his resig- nation, but leaves himself entirely in the hands of President Mckinley, not being desirous of embarrassing the ad- mi1istration. The name of Hon. Paul .Neumann is commonly mentioned as possible successor, as is also that of :. ex.Minister F. M. Hatch, but this is :done explicitly without their consent or authority. It is generally hoped, how : ever, that a local man will be selected should MT. w. o. Smiths resignation be accepted.
 Now politicians will talk and they are freely talking about this resigna- tion, which they claim will be supple mented by letter to President McKin- ley requesting him to decline to accept it. They further state that the real motive for MT. Smiths action is that he has hitherto consulted and consorted too much with the leaders of the Amer ican Union party, whose almost openly avowed object is the political downfall of the Dole element in favor Of those who favor Harold M. SeWaH for Gov ernor and more progressive American ism than is to be found under the wing
 
 is understood, has generally consulted the leaders of the American Unlon par ty in regard to the filling of appoint ments, but now that MT. Dole IS the chief executive, and the appointment of subOrdinates, it is assumed, IS to De left by President Mckinley to the heads of departments of the old republic or Hawaii. with the approval Of the ex- ecutive it is felt that he no longer is the kingpin of the Cabinet and that he : will be reluctantly compelled to submit to the influence of those who prefer to play the game of harmony and recon ciliation in preference to the familiar slogan, ITO the victors belong the spells"
 One of the most important subordi- . nate posts in the Government Is that of the Registrar of Public Accounts. He may be practically called the Cashier of the Treasury Department. This po- sition has been ably filled under the republic by Captain William George Ashley, a Santa Clara County Califor- nan, and one who has endeared hlm- self to all our visiting boys III DIue, white and brown by the excellent manner in which he has discharged the duties of chairman of our commissariat committee. It is understood that at the request of the Minister of Finance he - will retire from this position to accept very responsible one in the bank of
 
 sonal representative of Hon. Samuel Nj. Damon himself, in order that the Min fster (for presumably Ministers retain their titles, as during the era nf thePro- visiOnal Government and prior to the establishment of the republic) may de- vote the whole of his time to the finances of the Government.
 As perhaps indicating the desire Of the administration to prove its sincere desire for friendship with the Hawaii ans, the position has been offered to ; George w Smithies a part Hawaiian, who held that office under MT. Damon, as well as other important Government positions during the monarchy, but who resigned to accept a more perma- nent position with Hon. John Ena. It has been officially intimated that whenever practicable subordinate po- stions will be- for the time being, placed at the refusal of part Ha- waiians in preference to all others, but it is learned this morning that Mir. Smithies will probably decline the offer on the grounds of the old adage, Fear the Greeks who bring offerings" There have been so many examples of bad faith in the past in placing men in po- sitions for political motives and then removing them to make way for others that Government billets are not so much sought by the intelligent and act i've class as they formerly were. An unpleasant incident occurred yes terday. A number of Hawaiians had , been engaged by the Board of Public Works to assist in arranging for the camp for the New Workers. On their arrival at the park to-day they came to the conclusion that as they were working for the United States and not : for or temporary Government they ought to be paid g day, as white men They disclaimed any political feeling in the matter; it was simply a question of American citizenship and : the exercise of their newly obtained : rights. The affair ended by the strikers . being dismissed in favor of others will ing to work at the usual rate of S1 day
 The Chinese consular agents cele- .~ brated their Emperor's birthday on Saturday last with an official reception at which were present the Hawaiian officials, the high judiciary and mili- fary, the diplomatic and consular corps, Admiral Miller and staff, Colonel Bar Der and staff, Captains Wddleigh and ;: as three ex-Hawaiian ministers to . Washington The reception was an ex- ;. tremely cordial one, as on the day pre- ~ ceding almost every Chinese store and . business office was closed out of respect : to the raising of the flag.
 : :. On the afternoon of annexation day a : reception was given at the United :: States legation, the pleasing occasion being the christening of the baby boy > Of Hon. Harold NJ. Sewall, until noon : Of that day the Minister Plenipotenti-