Ka Leo o ka Lahui, Volume II, Number 209, 5 June 1891 — Page 4

KA LEO O KA LAHUI.

"E Mau ke Ea o ka Aina i ka Pono."

 

KA LEO.

 

FRIDAY JUNE 5, 1891.

 

NOTICE.

 

  Copies of the KA LEO O KA LAHUI can be found every morning at both the News Agencies in town. Price 5 cents a copy.

 

A CHRISTIAN,

 

  Wednesday evening the writer went dutifully to prayer meeting and was much interested by what transpired there. There were reports of the christisn work among the Japanese and Portuguese. We were very pelased to see again our friend Mr. Okobe from Hilo and hear of his good work among his countrymen in Hawaii.  Mr. Okobe is a Japanese gentleman of very superior education and intellectual attainments, of good birth, a knight in his own country, belonging to the military caste. The short sword, the emblem of his rank, now hangs over his study table in his meagerly furnished quarters at Hilo. Being educated abroad he became imbued with Christian doctrines and determined to devote his life to preaching the gospel to his countrymen. To do this he gave up all that men are scrambling for here in Hawaii, a good position and the chances of a prosperous career. He has been working down in Hilo under the most disheartening circumatances. He may have saved some souls; but he has saved a good many lives, cared for a good many sick, fed a good many hungry, encouraged a good many dispairing, and has tried to save some from the clutch of Hitchcock and the horrors of Hilo Jail. In this he has not succeeded, but he goes every Sunday and teaches and encourages the numbers of his countrymen confined there. We must not do Mr. Okobe the injury to create the impression that he has ever opposed the government. He thinks it better to do what good he can then to forever destroy all chance of doing any good by protesting against the outrages committed on the Japanese by the Hawaiian Government.

  We have ere this taken pains to impress on the public mind that the Japanese are a very superior race quite equal in most things to Europeans, and in honesty and a sense of hornor especially. Of course there is the same difference between a Japanese coolie and a Japanese gentlemen that there is between an American gentlemen and a plantation negro. But there are strange to tell many educated intelligent gentlemen shipped to these plantations. We knew of a gentlemen and a scholar who died. according to the phycisian of 'insufficient food' which is a medical term for 'starved to death.' He was not robust enough to stand the work, he was fined again and again and he could not earn sufficient food, and he died. The Hawaiian Board have discovered one such case and have secured his release from bondage and he is assist in the charitable work in Hawaii. Chief Justice Judd in the meeting asked Mr. Okobe to relate the story of this young man. It was very good to see really the first gentlemen in the kingdom (nothwithstanding that the father apparent ranks above all My other subjects) taking a kindly interest in liberating and assisting a deserving young man to enable him to begin a life of usefulness.

  We knew of several such cases whre men in every respect of manhood above their masters, were worked like cattle and treated like dogs till they were driven to death or to the Hilo Jail.--a worse ending. We tried faithfully according to our light to save certain ones from this unhappy fate. But our efforts were frustrated and still worse misfortunes precipitated upon the already overburdened laborer by a decision of the Honorable Chief Justice.

  We shall always regard that he felt it his duty to reverse that article of the constitution which says, "involuntary servitude is forever prohibited."          D. L. H.

 

VIEWING THE GROUND.

 

  We have recieved private advice from Hilo that the Hitchcocks have issued the edict that Huntsman must go to jail for publishing various articles in contempt of that reigning-by-divine-right family. In Hilo the incarceration would follow as the thunder follows the lightening. But in Honolulu divine wrath is not so quick and certain formalities are observed before a man is shut up. There is even a possibility the Hitchcock influence will not prove equal to the undertaking. At least if a man is sent to jail here he may have some hope of getting out.

  In view of this contingency we visited Oahu Jail yesterday, sorter to look over the ground and see if we could make a favorable impression on the jailor. We found that institution very neat and clean, and about as attractive as the average hotel, though there is a certain air of restraint about parts of it. The officers of the jail are very pleasant and affable gentlemen and we hope, that we laid the foundation for future friendly relations.

 

EMBEZZLEMENT.

 

  It should generally be known that this government has been running for serveral years on a very peculiar and dangerous financial basis. It is as if a man was using trust funds in his private business, with this difference that a trustee would know when he might be called on to refund the extracted money, while the government has catastrophe hanging constangly over it.

  The Hawaiian government has invited all persons to deposit their money and promised to pay it back on demand with interest. This money has been spent so that it cannot be paid back. If the demand comes the government is bankrupt and disgraced. It is said that there are about four persons in town who can at any time, by withdrawing their money from the Savings Bank, deplete the Treasury within two weeks and leave it as hallow as a sounding drum. In that case the officers salaries would be unpaid, the wheels of the govenment would cease to revolve and we would go into the hands of a receiver. The threat and fear of this has been held over the ministers and forms one of the most potent "influences" operative at the present time. This is what the Advertiser meant when it said that if Wundenberg was turned out the people would withdraw their money from the Postal Savings Bank. What the result would be the Advertiser never told the people. but those four gentlemen went to the Cabinet and made the matter clear. They could not save Wundenberg, because the Voice of the Peopl.e had been heard, but they dictated his successor in consideration of not foreclosing their lien on the Hawaiian Treasury.

  This is one of the several influences and pulls that hamper the present administration and keep them from doing anything. This is one reason why no public work is going on and why corrupt officials are not discharged. We shall make it our business to esplain some other and different "pulls" shortly. In the meantime if the government is bankrupt, let the concern be wound up without any unnecessary delay.

  We advise every small depositor in the Savings Bank to draw out his money before the crash comes. If the heavy depositors start the run, as they are likely to do at any time, there will be little chance for the small holders. The poor people are always the losers in such cases. Hard earnings and small savings are usually swept away while the rich and great steer safely through all troubles. Take a word of warning and thereafter than the LEO.

 

SOAP.

 

  Messrs, McChesney & Co. have started a soap manufactury. We like to see a diversity of industries springing up; and they ought to be fostered and encouraged in every way.

  If we had not sold ourselves to America for vanishing considerations we might now establish a number of small manufacturing enterprises by a judicious protective tariff. A great number of things can be made here as well and cheaply as any where. Many products of this country are now shipped away and returned in a finished state. We hope every one will make it a point to patronize home industry. There are at hand abundant materials and talent for soap making. Our genial attorney-general ought to make good soap.

 

AN ALLEGED JOKE.

 

  We have heard it said that the best society does not appreciate the wit of K
A LEO. On the other hand we confess ourselves unable to understand the humor that amuses the best society. Last Tuesday evening we were listening to a deeply interesting lecture on microbes, when we observed that the audience especially the ladies, was snickering in a merry mood indeed. After the lecture we inquired the cause from one of our confreres who told us that the lee turner in speaking about the cultivation of microbes had advised his hearers to make some water to grow the little fellows in. We have not been able to see the joke up to this time, but we bow to the superior acuteness of the feminine mind.

 

  The the coal-oil is all burned up and the electrics are inactive, so people will be in darkness except those who have the illumination of the spirit.

 

ON DIT.

 

  That it is not very dignified or usual for a minister of the Crown to fight with his fists; but man is human after all, even if he is a minister of the Crown.

 

  The "Advertiser" and the "Bulletin," the twin snoozers, are out with letters from Hilo, containing about twenty "quites," and the information that the Hilo people are "quite nicely, thanks."

 

  That Postmaster Severance refused to issue a postal order payable to us. It is one of the rules established for the benefit of the public, at that office, not to transact any business on steamer days. On other days Mr. Severance is not in the office as a rule, so it is not easy to get a money order at that village. If there is not an improvement in the service there, we shall soon be forced to conclude that we have been deccived in the Postmaster General.   -------

  That a gentlemen of the Survey Department has spent five years in Kona and has not finished yet. In the meantime he supervised the manufacture of a collection of Hawaiian antiquities, which he sold to the Bishop Museum for four thousand dollars.

 

  That a gentlemen in the same Office says that the revolution cannot be put off any later than Saturday.     -------

  That we saved the present minnistry by arousing their friends to make exertions to forestall the scheme for a new cabinet. We will give them further cause by saying we don't think them out of danger yet.

 

  That the ministers in convention last year were each presented with long gray coast, by Mr. Waterhouse, and this year with the white stiff hats that the ministers wear as a badge this year. Rev Desha of Hilo, moved to thank Mr. Waterhouse for his contributions of clothing. The motioned was opposed by Mr. Kanealii who said that he did not value the antiquated styles and shop worn stock of Mr. Watherhouse: and that he preferred to provide his own wardrobe and reserve his thanks.

 

  That the "Advertiser" comes out strong in favor of the theory of evolution. This is a great change in that organ's religion. The paper is not developing into anything. So it is a mistake we suppose; the editor did not get in his work.

 

  The the dredging of the harbor has stopped for want of funds, and everything else has stopped for want of ministerial brains and energy. Even the Finance Department has stopped the sale of bonds at less than their cash value.

 

  That Sheriff Hitchock has been rearranging his deputies; he evidently feels very secure in his position a autocrat of Hawaii--It may be; but we shall not on that account cease to give the public sketches of his reign.

 

  That the Attorney General has returned. We would like to know why that gentlemen left Her Majesty before her return. Is it possible that so large a man was displaced by the Marshal, or has he been insulted by a request to resigu?

 

  That the "Advertiser" says there was a cornerstone laid Wednesday, It takes six columns to do the suject justice. We have looked over the preceedings, but regret that we can make no favorable comment. It is our principle to-speak ill-of no one; if we cannot say something good, we find it better to preserve silence.

 

That two of the "Bulletin" staff are on the detective forece. We have heretofore explained how the secret service fund is used to pension off deserving adherents. Though it is only a report the assumption would explain some very mysterious moves on the part of a journal.     ----- --

  That sixty two members are now enrolled in the rifle association. A new election of officers occupied the whole evening. A report was circulated that the whole crowd was to be arrested, but about thirty members took the chances, by attending.    -------

  That the Excellent Samuel has been discipling his kinsmen who beneme too obstreperous for public office. He is different from Minister Spencer. That gentlemen found a place fore his nephew as inspectorof immigrants instantaneously. He did it, and it may be the last act of his reign; he has done nothing since.   -------

  That the road they offer Wilcox had only $3000 appropriated for it and the surveying work is already done by sone one else. The most expert thief in the reform party could not make $1000 out of it and an honest man not $500. It is not a big thing. It pays better to be a traitor or a detective.

 

  That the firms who lost by the gross negligence of the government that resulted in the burning of the Kerosene Warehouse, should sne for damages. They can recover if the law works as it is expected to do.     -------

  That twenty-five soldiers and a warniing were sent to the Queen by the Mokolii. -- -----

  That Minister Spencer carved twelve hundred acres out of the plantation of Davies & Co., at Laupahoehoe, for homesteads. The Company had been payiing a rent of about twenty-five cents an acre They now threaten to ruin the country by going out of business.

 

  That the Marshal of the kingdom returned last Wednesday night.

 

  That the U. S. is negotiating a treaty with Mexico. We will be a happy family, as it is called in the menagerie.     -------

  That the head of a department and a clerk are bound by a domestic reciprocity treaty which works on a small scale like that with the U.S.-------one way at least.

 

  That the chief officers of the present administration do not represent any political party or principle, nor do they represent or carry out the Queen's wishes or principles. But they do represent their own selfish selves is quiet evident and in the fact that they have sold the Queen in her expectations that they would prove good and valuable public servants. That this Cabinet has proved recreant not only to party pledges and liberal principles but also to that which is universally esteemed--honor and independence. They have been faithless to the Legisisture and to the Executive. More especially is this so with the Minister, who was elected a six year Noble by the National Party. We forebear to think any further or say any more of such a person, at present, fore pity sake.