No. 608.
Mr. Merrill to Mr. Bayard.
Legation of
the United States,
Honolulu, November 8, 1887.
(Received November 25.)
No. 153.]
Sir: I have the honor to inform you that on the 3d
instant the Hawaiian legislature convened in Aliiolani Hall, Honolulu, and
was opened by His Majesty in person.
On this occasion the King was accompanied by Her Majesty the Queen, Her Royal
Highness Princess Liliuokalani, and Her Royal Highness Princess
Kaiulaui.
I inclose a newspaper account of the opening ceremonies, also a copy of the
speech of His Majesty the King in formally opening the session, and the
reply thereto as reported to and adopted by the legislature.
[Page 836]
One of the principal points of interest in the speech and reply is the
reference to a renewal of the treaty of reciprocity with the United States,
which has been received throughout the community with very much favor.
Relative to the extension of the treaty I inclose a copy of an editorial
article entitled “The Legislation,” published on the 4th instant, in the
Daily Hawaiian Gazette.
The legislature organized promptly by the election of Hon. Samuel G. Wilder,
of Honolulu, as presiding officer, and the usual complement of officers.
It is generally believed that the legislature is composed of members disposed
to transact business promptly, and, if possible, avoid a protracted
session.
I have, etc.,
[Inclosure 1 in No. 153.]
Nobles and representatives:
You have been called together in extraordinary session at the earliest
practicable moment after your election under the new constitution, in
order that you may revise and amend certain acts which have been found
to be inoperative, unconstitutional, or conflicting in their terms.
Amongst these are the opium bill and the act to organize the military
forces of the Kingdom; also the law relating to notaries public and that
relating to corporations.
Another reason is that you may consider the advisability of changing the
method of administration of certain departments of the public service
which do not now secure to the country the efficiency which is
desirable.
The circumstances connected with the negotiation of the loan in London,
which seems not to have been effected strictly in accordance with the
loan act of 1886, will probably also necessitate some amendments
thereto. A somewhat different distribution of the amounts appropriated
for the objects named in that act may also be necessary, some of them
being insufficient, whilst others are larger than required.
I also commend to your consideration the revision of the law regulating
the police department in such a manner as to insure more efficient
results and a more responsible administration.
My ministers will also propose to you some amendments to the
appropriation bill of 1886, which seems to have been drawn up without
due regard to the probable revenue, and you will see the necessity of
curtailing salaries and other expenditures wherever practicable, as well
as of abolishing all unnecessary offices, in order that the proper
relation between the receipts and expenditures of the treasury may be
preserved.
I take great pleasure in informing you that the treaty of reciprocity
with the United States of America has been definitely extended for seven
years upon the same terms as those in the original treaty, with the
addition of a clause granting to national vessels of the United States
the exclusive privilege of entering Pearl River Harbor and establishing
there a coaling and repair station. This has been done after mature
deliberation, and the interchange between my Government and that of the
United States of an interpretation of the said clause whereby it is
agreed and understood that it does not cede any territory, or part with
or impair any right of sovereignty or jurisdiction on the part of the
Hawaiian Kingdom, and that such exclusive privilege is coterminous with
the treaty.
I regard this as one of the most important events of my reign, and I
sincerely believe that it will re-establish the commercial progress and
prosperity which began with the reciprocity treaty.
Nobles and representatives, I now declare the legislature of the Kingdom
opened.
[Inclosure 2 in No. 153.]
reply to his majesty’s speech.
Noble Dole, from the special committee of three, presented the following
reply to His Majesty’s speech:
Your Majesty, sire: We, the nobles and representatives of the Kingdom,
have listened with pleasure to the sentiments which fell from Your
Majesty’s lips in the
[Page 837]
speech
from the throne on the opening of the legislature, and we beg to assure
Your Majesty that the opium bill, the act to organize the military
forces of the Kingdom, the law relating to notaries public and to
corporations and other matters to which Your Majesty calls our
attention, shall receive our careful consideration and action.
The circumstances connected with the negotiation of the loan in Loudon
shall be thoroughly investigated, and our decision be such as shall in
the premises appear right and equitable and in strict conformity with
the provision of the statutes. It shall also be our duty, in compliance
with suggestions from the throne, to make such revisions and amendments
in the law regulating the police department, and also in the
appropriation bill of 1886, as shall secure a more responsible
administration and a suitable regard for the national revenue.
Your Majesty may rest assured that the matter of an economical
administration of the public service shall always be kept in mind in our
deliberations and that our conclusions shall be such as an unselfish
patriotism may dictate.
We desire to congratulate Your Majesty upon the successful issue of the
negotiations of Your Majesty’s Government with the United States of
America, which have resulted in the definite renewal of the treaty of
reciprocity for a period of seven years, and we take pleasure in
expressing on this occasion our approval of the granting to the United
States Government the exclusive privilege of entering Pearl River Harbor
and establishing there a coaling and repairing station, it being a
necessary condition for the securing of this valuable concession, while
guarantying to the country a renewal of commercial prosperity. We feel
great satisfaction in the assurance that it is without prejudice to
Hawaiian jurisdiction, and we agree with Your Majesty that this event
will ever be regarded as one of the most important of those which have
signalized Your Majesty’s reign.
The report was signed by the three members of the committee, George H.
Dole, Dr. J. Wight, and A. P. Kalaukoa.
On motion of Representative C. Brown the reply was adopted and ordered to
be engrossed.
