Ka Leo o ka Lahui, Volume II, Number 321, 11 November 1891 — Page 4

KA LEO O KA LAHUI.

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

 

KA LEO O KA LAHUI

 

John E. Bush.

I mea Hooponopono a me

Puuku

 

WEDNESDAY, NOV. 11, 1891.

 

 

            Elder Geo. B. Starr, at Y.M.C.A. Hall, continue his readings on Paul’s Epistle to the Romans.

 

Where is the Police.

 

            We have heard all along about the efficiency of the police department; they drill, under able officers, men that were employed to overthrow Kalakaua, and know how to fight.  The foreign newspapers of Honolulu are ever ready to praise them, but when these are derelict in their duties, the papers are very gingerly in speaking about it.

            Our attention has been called to the foolish notion that the soldiers have that they are governed entirely by another law, from other people, and that they can do about as they please, and while these latter are enjoying themselves in people’s houses and premises uninvited and beat women unmercifully, and shamefully, showing the high sense of honor, of the Hawaiian soldiers under the command of Kalakaua’s doubtful friends, the policemen look complacently on, when present, which is not always the case.

            For an example, to illustrate what we have said of these two branches of the forces of the kingdom, we give the following, as described by an eye-witness:-

            “About 4 to 5 p.m. on Sunday afternoon, there was a very disgraceful drunken row at the foot of Punch Bowl Street; women and children fled from fear in all directions, and had it not been for the cool and courageous act of a native girl, a brutal murder would have been on record –through the brutality of one of the Palace Guard.  People were running in all directions for the police, but as usual in such emergencies none were to be round, either around the Government Building, or from Kawaiahao Church to the Marine Railway.”

 

THE NEWS OF THE WORLD.

 

            Among the many important news items received is that from Turkey.  It appears, that the government has suddenly awoke to a sense of her treaty obligations, and has issued orders to strengthen her fortresses on both sides of the Bosphorus, in order to prevent Russia’s war vessels from passing through.  This course was prompted by the intimation and cunningly devised plan of the Russian Government to open the way for the passage of her fleet, by the attempt to obtain permission for the Grand Duke George in a warship to pass through, and thus base a precedent for subsequent action, which it was expected would be allowed as an act of courtesy to a member of the imperial family of Russia.  But British “sovereign” has been as potent in its influence in Turkey as it was a few days ago in Hawaii nei.

 

            In contrast to the warlike movements going on, in the world, we are in daily receipt of information of discoveries in scientific knowledge – physical and natural.  On the subject of physical science we have Dr. Pasteur’s opinion on Leprosy Microbes.  The alleged discovery is said to be by an English physician residing at Simla, India, who claims to have succeeded in discovering, separating, and neutralizing the special microbe of leprosy.  The great bacteriologist said: - “The news of the discovery of leprosy microbes is no surprise to me.  In fact with the progress of science and by following the lines already laid down, I have the slightest doubt that in time the microbes of all diseases which attack the human body will be discovered and cultivated.  How to exterminate them is quite another question.”

 

The Other Great Industry.

 

            Of course sugar is king and the vicar of the golden bull on earth; but there is another industry that is likely to cut almost as great a figure in determining the destiny of this sweet and restful little community of saintly psalm-singers and others who are interested more or less in worldly affairs.  We refer to the business of importing and distributing to consumers an article of commerce known as opium.  It is a viscid, sticky, black substance, somewhat resembling tar, and is made by boiling the juice of the white poppy.  It is put up in small rectangular tin cans like those used for corned-beef and other potted meats.  Each tin is supposed to contain about one-half pound of the drug, but after remaining in the hand of frugal and conscientious officials for a short time, it is usually found to contain brickdust and other foreign substances of domestic manufacture.  Our well-meaning law require that opium found in the country shall be shipped out again.

            It seems a waste of valuable property to ship away what has been imported with such trouble and expense, and what is moreover much more valuable here than abroad.  So instead of following the strict letter of the law to the detriment of all parties, the opium is retained for consumption, and by a little legal fiction, the cans, filled with some inexpensive local products, are sent to China or San Francisco or if in the original package is relanded on the islands by parties who are in the business, as we here has been the case with Velocity’s opium cargo.

            A great many of our people are engaged in this traffic, and our most respected citizens and trustworthy officers of the government find in it a source of respectability and high tone.  Unfortunately an ill-advised competition has within the last few months seriously curtailed the profits of the business, so that there has been almost as much depression in the opium trade as in the sugar market.  But the cause fortunately is more within the control of our people, and will doubtless be rectified at an early date.

            There are two opium syndicates of almost equal opulency; the old or reform firm, which numbers among its members some of the most solid capitalists and officials, who being appointed for life, or highly connected, have not been displaced by the new government; the new government combination, which is the out growth of the new aristocracy.  The present government concern has shown all the activity of youth and has shown itself no mean rival of the older and better organized reform syndicate.

            How important a part this drug has played in Hawaiian History is shown by the fact that the constitution of Kamehameha was abolished and King Kalakaua humbled to the dust in consequence of alleged offenses committed by the last named monarch against the dignity and property of the syndicate.  It is still powerful enough to make and unmake constitutions and laws, but the death of Kalakaua and the appearance of a competitor greatly complicates the situation.

            The new firm has already laid hands on the legal and political machinery.  They have bought up several members of one of the Workingmen’s Union, paying a fair price for active workers, and also a certain newspaper at present in a rather rattled condition, but which they intend to revivify by judicious expenditure.  We would be much pleased to give the name of the gentlemen bought by the firm together with the price paid, and short biographical sketches: but we are informed that such procedure would be contrary to law.  We always desire to observe and respect the law, especially as we find that the Supreme Court displays a great deal of alacrity in protecting the character of the meanest subjects.

            The plan by which the firm expects to further its interests as we are informed is substantially this: to secure the services of enough legislators to pass a bill giving the Minister of Interior power to grant an opium license on very reasonable terms to some reliable party.  It is calculated that a gentleman in whom her Majesty has unlimited confidence will be minister at the time, and who has already promised to recompense the firm for all investments by issuing to them the license to import and vend opium and preparations thereof throughout the kingdom.  The scheme is a pretty one, and we wish the enterprising managers every success, and hope it will not be injured while young by the light and air we have let in on it.

 

ON DIT.

 

            The Japanese laborers get fifty cents a day and find themselves at a cost less than thirty cents a day.  How much cheaper can labor be expected to toil than that?

 

            The Japs and Chinese are, running, for economy sake, expensive pumping machinery at the Ewa Plantation, which will need soon expensive repairs by white mechanics.

 

            That two schemes for revolution are already fairly advanced and have gained secretly considerable stability in Hawaiian so says the L ‘Eco d’ Italia, of New York, viz: one is to dethrone the Queen and set up a republic, the other is to have her abdicate in favor of Hon. Roberto Guglielmo Wilcox, who the paper claims is an Italo-Awaiiano.  Hurrah for the Italo-Awaiiano Prince, whose marriage we are afraid stands in a way of a peaceful solution of his becoming ruler of Hawaii nei.

 

            That the illustrious living and dead are often slandered and defamed by unscrupulous political opponents, as was the case (P.C.A., Oct. 30) in an article upon President Balmaceda and Hon. R. W. Wilcox.

 

That the planters is all honey now, but as soon as they get what they want, the white mechanics will be supplanted by cheap Asiatic carpenters, blacksmiths, sugar boilers, machinists, and engineers.  We know something about this ourselves.

 

That a boat came ashore in the harbor, from the schooner Beagle, after having landed a cargo of that viscid, sticky, black stinking stuff, resembling black tar, somewhere else.  Instead of sovereigns she had what is equally as profitable as sugar and as good as gold on board.

 

  That our contemporaries should give us the result of Mr. Staples Superintendency of the Sailor’s Home in San Francisco, as a sequel to their congratulations of his appointment, when the Captain was first gazetled.  It will be both interesting and instructive to some who nursed him while there.

 

That a cartoon is going the rounds in an Italian newspaper in New York, which of course has no foundation in fact, that some Consul in Hawaii, use to wait on a certain Don as a garzone di botteaa. How an unkind and unjust act is sometimes made to be a ground of persecution, as we are led to believe is intended to be in this case.

 

That a rotten old Bullock dray broke down at Pahala, Hawaii, for which three natives was socked $25 each.  This necessitated reshipping the men.  It is thus that many Hawaiians have been kept as slaves on plantations till their deaths.  Very often a loose character is set on to lure these poor fellows before the expiration of their time, when they are arrested, fined, and reshipped for another three years.  How true the scripture saying:  Ye cannot serve God and Mammon.  But some try to very hard and think they succeed.

 

PLATFORM OF PRINCIPLE

OF THE

HWAIIAN NATIONAL

LIBERAL PARTY.

 

INDEPENDENCE OF THE COUNTRY

 

2.  Out of consideration for the inherent rights and present opinions of the native population, we desire to retain the independence of the Country and defend its autonomy, under a liberal and popular form of government; but our Treaties with Foreign Powers, and especially with the United States of America, should be revised, so as to better meet present necessities and to obtain more equitable advantages in exchange of those granted by us.

 

TAXATION

 

4.  a MORE JUST AND PERFECT SYSTEM OF Taxation must be inaugurated, to abolish the present inequalities, by which the property of the poor is excessively taxed, while much of the rich man’s goods are under-valued for assessment or entirely escape taxation; we shall therefore demand the passage of laws that will more effectually subject the property of corporations and rich citizens to their just proportion of public burdens, while granting more liberal exemptions to the poor; and as a means of discouraging the locking up of large tracts of uncultivated lands, a differential tax should be levied in addition to the usual assessment on valuation, which should be in proportion to the fertility of the soil.  We shall also favor the establishment of a graduated income tax, and thus expect to obtain ample funds for conducting the government; and attending to all necessary public improvements without any further calls on the masses.

 

MONOPOLIES

 

5.  We shall use our efforts to obtain laws by which all favoritism in the government and all monopolies, trusts and privileges to special classes shall be rendered impossible, by full, definite and mandatory statutes.

6.  Better laws should regulate the Civil Service.  The principle of the government by the people should be established, and no man should be allowed to hold more than one office for profit, whilst salaries should be adequate compensation for the services rendered.  All excessive salaries should be reduced and all @necures or superfluous offices abolished.

 

PROTECTION TO HOME INDUSTRIES

 

7.  We are in favor of encouraging all home agriculture and industries, and all our native products, like rice, coffee, wool, tobacco, etc.  should be protected and fostered by proper tariff regulation; and also it must be the duty of the Government, in its contracted and other operations, to give preference to national products over imported ones.

 

PUBLIC SERVANTS.

LOCAL SELF-GOVERNMENT

 

8.  We desire a more liberal policy towards the different Islands of the Kingdom, outside of Oahu; they should receive a fairer proportion of the public moneys for the development of their resources and the satisfactira of their wants.  In fact, the principle of local Self-government should be extended, whereby giving localities may choose the most important of their local executive officers, and levy taxes for the purpose local improvements of a public nature.

 

PROTECTION TO THE LABOURING CLASSES.

 

9.  We shall endorse all measure tending to improve the condition of the working classes, and consequently, without injuring any vested rights, we will advocate laws to prevent all further importation or employment of contract labor of any kind, upon conditions which will bring it into ruinous and degrading competition with free Hawaiian or white labor.  We shall also, in the interest of the better protection of the poor, ask for more liberal exemptions of their property from forced sale on execution, and from seizure in bankruptcy proceedings.

 

SMALL FARMING AND HOME STEADS.

 

10.  The wealthy fraction of our population have hitherto prevented the development of an independent class of citizens; the public lands have been acquired and have been tied up in a few hands or parceled to suit favorites, and small farmers and planters have been driven out by corporations or combinations of capitalists; but as small farming is conducive to the stability of the State, it should be encouraged by a new and more liberal Homestead act, by which the ownership of small tracts of land and the settlement thereon of families of our present population, and especially of the native Hawaiians who have been left almost homeless in their country, - should be rendered possible.  To that end, the Government and Crown lands, (in so far as can be done without invading vested rights) should be devoted as soon as possible to homesteads and conferred upon bona-fide settlers free of taxes for a limited period.

It should be the further aim of government to, at once, so far improve the means of transportation, - local, national and international, - as to provide, in all the districts, cheap means of conveying the product of the soil to market.

 

NOTICE.

 

LADIES wishing their feathers dyed or cleaned and curled can have it done by MRS. WERTHERN.  103 Beretania Street.

LADIES wishing to purify their complexion and eradicate tan and freckles will be instructed by MRS. WERTERN free of charge.  103 Beretania Street past the Armory.   317-@

 

Public Notice.

 

Know all men by this notice that from and after this date, I have this day discharged Mr. H.C. Ulukou, from acting as an agent, for me in any sense whatever, in the charge and administration of all my property, and in the collection of all dues and rents upon any and all my estate in this kingdom.

            Any one who holds or is in possession of any property or who has any business or payments to make, will transact the same with me personally, at my place at Honua@aha,  at Honolulu, Oahu.

            KAPIOLANI.

            Per Jos. Nawahi.

Honolulu, Nov. 3, 1891. @