The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1898-03-23
IN OPEN MEETING
Addresses On Constitu.
tional Amendment.
M essrs. AchI and Gear In the At
Mr.. Poepoe Oppose-A Vote.

Messrs. Achi, Gear, Logan, l. l. Nc
Candless, Poepoe and Murray, were the
principal speakers at last evenings
open meeting of the American League.
The topic discussed was the reappor-
tionment amendment to the Constitu-
ton as presented in the House by Mr..
Achi and amended by Mr.. Gear. 1t is
proposed to have % instead of fifteen
members in the lower branch. The bill
has had its first reading and was kept
alive by the close vote of eight to
seven.
Mr.. Achi said that if the opponents
Of his measure held to their present
arguments they might as we'll contend
that four men were enough to legis
late for the people and then enforce
the laws. He insisted that the time
had come 10 branch out in the direction
of more representative Government,
like the United States. AS to expense,
he said that the amendment gave eight
more brains for the service of the coun-
try for the trifing cost Of a total So
200 in two years. The change would
not in any manner touch annexation
prospects. If he thought it would harm
the pending treaty'S future in any way
he would cease to advocate the change.
Mr.. McCandless said he was fixed in
h 1ntn oiylat
amendment. He did not believe in
tinkering with the Constitution while
annexation was still in sight. He
could not learn that there was an ava
lanche of sentiment forcing the legis-
lators to work for amendments Of any
sort to the Constitution.
Quite an extended and a very good
address was made by Mr.. Gear. He
thought the time for setting into mo-
ton the machinery for a change was
opportune He had carefully consider
ed the question in all its phases and
strictly on its merits. He was an an
nexationist and had an abiding faith
that union with the United States was
to be brought about. He could not
see how such a change to the Consti-
tuition as was proposed could have any
effect on the treaty. He thought the
movement a progressive one.
Mr.. Logan was in favor OF the
amendment. He said that some people
would be satisfied to have about four
Representatives and one Senator and
to have all public discussions conduct
ed by the Chamber Of Commerce and
the Planters Association.
Mr.. Poepee went into an analysis of
the question. Was there apparent any
necessity for such an amendment at
this or any other time. Had there been
long agitation for it, Among those
who were sending UP the cry Of a de-
sire for more representative Govern
ment were men who declined to be
represented under present conditions.
Were they sincere in advocating this
measure. Why do they not come into
the fold now, or do they want to wait
till the House is made stronger so they
can have eight more ROyalists in the
Legislature. fMr. Testa-Of course;
you'll get them bye and bye.) The
speaker was also against the first pro-
posed amendment to the Constitution,
the one to have the oath changed.
Monarchy is gone. 1t is dead and must
be kept dead. There are people who
will realize this after time and if we
do not get annexation, they will take
the oath and vote and with this amend
ment to increase the House member
ship would swamp the Legislature
with Royalists. (Mr. Testa-That's so,
too)
Several of the gentlemen who had
been engaged to speak failed to appear.
Pesident Murray, of the League, closed
the meeting with a few remarks. He
said he had every assurance that the
natives in large numbers would in time
register and vote and that then consti-
tutional amendments would be in order
even if at this time they were tabu.
There had been a request for a vote
of the sense of the meeting on the
Achi amendment as amended by Mr..
Gear. The vote was taken and was
largely in favor of the change.