The Independent. [volume] (Honolulu, H.I.) 1895-1905, 1901-02-18

was then a member, rose with an 1n-
quiry as to what plan was proposed to
be followed for the payment of the
bonds. He was met with the entirely
ingenious reply on the part Of the
Hawaiian: "Oh, that's the other fell
lows lookout. We needn't trouble
about that" ..&g.El.., .i4. .gsIE 4 AM
Pension to the Queen.
Without doubt one of. the first meas
ures to be introduced will be one pro-
viding for the payment of pension to
the former Queen, Liliuokalani, For
long time it was the plan of her own
people, when they once got control of
the local machinery of government, to
vote their sovereign sum of money
in bulk, variously placed at from a
quarter to half million. 1t is thought,
however, that the conservative mem
bers of the Legislature will see that
with such materially reduced revenues
it would be more than unwise to think
of voting such a sum of money at this
time, and that they will, in conse-
quence, substitute therefor plan for
granting a pension. This, undoubted,
ly, will be $4,000 year, and it is the
opinion of those who are acquainted
with the temper of the sugar men
of the Islands, who are most largely in
terested in whatever is done, that such
proposition >woulu meet with almost
universal favor
Another matter which must receive
the attention of this Legislature is that
of the provision of fund for the pay
| ment of claims arising out of the fires
which spreau at the time that certain
infected buildings were burned DUR
ing the; prevalence of the bubonic
plague. The losses ran into the mil
lions, and payment may be. insisted
upon by China and Japan, whose sub.
jects were the largest losers.
1t is also probable that there will be
some fine political work owing to the
fact that, according to the census,
there has been growth of the popu-
lation of the Islands amounting to
nearly $4,000 people, and repre-
sentation must be provided for this
largely increased population. The ISL
ands have not been districted for
many years, and under the new divis-
ion of representation the great center
of population, Honolulu, will be sure
of large increase in the number of
members. The land laws of the Isl
ands may be changed only by action
of Congress, but as the lands are held
for the benefit of the Territory, I'M
doubtedly there will be some hard
fights over the condition of rental I'm
der which large sugar estates hold
vast areas now at very small annual
payments. SOL, #&'
While these are some of the subjects
tnaC nave been much discussed which
are liable to engage the attention of
the Legislature, one condition obtains
which of itself may furnish amuse-
ment, interest, and perhaps many
heartburnings. Under the Organic
Law the Senate must confirm all the
appointments of the government. Dur
ing the campaign 1t was freely said by
the Independents that they would not
confirm single appointee of Governor
Dole. The conservative character of
the Independent leader in the Senate,
however, and the great change which
seems to have come over the dream
of Delegate Wilcox, who is their real
boss, may furnish surprise. In fact,
1t Is now said that not an appointee
will be turned down unless definite
charges are made against him. The
Hawaiian is not a stable man. He Is
easily influenced, and any forecast of
what he is liable to do may be unset
by the man who gets his ear last. It is