The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1898-02-16
THE MESSAGE.

There is a wide and marked differ
ence between a speech from the throne
and the message of a President. The
formet lis non-committal and strives to
say as little as possible, leaving the
policy of the government to be deVel-
oped by the members of the ministry
the latter is an elaborate statement OF
the presidential policy. laying it out
as fully as possible. The one tries to-
say nothing in few well turned
phrases. the other says all it can pos
sibly say in the time allowed.
The message which was read today
by the Acting President comes from
his own pen. 1t is a document of some
two thousand words, and taken as a.
whole, is statesman-like production,
of which any Cabinet Minister might
feel proud, and does credit to Acting
President Cooper's grasp upon Island
affairs.
Naturally the first thing alluded to
position of that treaty and the steps
taken to reach this position are rap
idly but clearly sketched. Should the
treaty not pass, the message looks for
ward to its presentation at some fu-
ture time. This has a good clear ring
in it, and comes as a timely declara-
ton of policy. The Star is a firm be-
lever in the passage of the treaty at
this session. but there is ever the pro-
verb about the cup and the lip, and it
is possible it may fail What should
be the policy of the government If it
should fail is already exercising many
minds. \ few days ago Theo. II. Da-
vies was to the fore with a suggestion
that if the treaty be rejected, such ac-
ton was to be regarded as final. Now
we are informed by the Presidential
message that the greatest care in leg
'hinder the future presentation of the
treaty, should it fail at the present
time to receive the approval of the
Senate of the United States"
The Japanese matter which doomed
up at the beginning of last year has
sunk into insignificance, but for one
false step made in May, it would have
sunk out of sight altogether and hard
ly need have found place in the
message.
The finances of the government are
touched upon, and are, as we know, in
satisfactory condition. The execu-
tive has decided to introduce no new
tax measures, but there is no doubt
that a measure for an income tax will
be brought forward in the lower
house. a bill for the consolidation of
the loan is to be brought in by Minis
ter Damon.
Necessary public improvements are
just touched upon. 1t is large sub
ject, and every district has its own
wants. The message, however, urges
that funds for this purpose should be
granted without hesitation, and there
is little fear that either house will ne
found grudging in this respect Among
public Improvements is counted a
sewerage system for Honolulu, and the
message suggests that though the
whole work is not undertaken at least
a part of it should be.
strong point is made of industri-
al and reform schools. The need of
such establishments is undoubted, and
the message foreshadows the estab-
lishment of a reform school for girls,
which has been urged in these col
umns and in the columns of other Hon
olulu journals. 1t is satisfactory to
see the executive giving so much at
tentiOn to a subject which so many
people treat with only passing notice.
1t shows how thoroughly alive the
head of the government is to the
needs of the commonwealth.
Upon cable communication the mes
sage has nothing to say, except that
Colonel Spalding resigned his fran
chise last year, and that is fact that
everyone knew.
The question of appeals from dis
trict magistrates is touched upon.
There is no doubt that something
should be done in this direction. As
the message puts it, many of these
are of trivial nature. 1t frequently
happens that case involving ten dol
lars occupies the time of the court at
cost to the people of seventy-two dol
lars. The message suggests no rene
dy, save that the right of appeal
should be restricted to cases of impor-
lance. In appeals to the Supreme
Court IL is suppested Tint axernnlarv