_The King's Speech to the Legislature of 1860._
NOBLES AND REPRESENTATIVES:--In accordance with the
Constitution, I have called you together in Legislative
assembly.
It is with pleasure that I make known to you that my relations
with Foreign Powers are in an amicable and satisfactory
position, and to the Report of my Minister of Foreign Affairs
I direct your attention for information in relation to the
Department under his care.
The Chief Justice in his Report has given a general view of
the administration of the department of law. There are some
portions of the report to which I desire to call your special
attention. By reference to the comparative view of convictions
contained therein, you will observe that two classes of
offences against the laws constitute nearly two-thirds of the
whole number of convictions. The inevitable effect of these
offences is to demoralize and destroy the people, and I would
designate as well worthy of your careful consideration and
adoption, the recommendations of the Chief Justice in relation
to such amendments or alterations of the existing laws as will
tend to eradicate or diminish these evils.
The Report of the Minister of the Interior will furnish you
with full information in relation to the affairs of his
department for the last two years. The financial prospects of
the country, as exhibited in the Report of the Minister of
Finance, are satisfactory, and I would particularly direct to
your favorable consideration his suggestion that provision be
made for paying off outstanding liabilities as they become
due. I would also call to your attention for careful
consideration, his suggestions in relation to the assessments
and collection of taxes, and in relation to the transit
duties; also to the proposed alteration in the mode of
remunerating District Justices.
The all-important subject of Education now occupies the public
mind with more than usual interest, and I particularly
recommend to your favorable notice the suggestions of the
President of the Board of Education, with reference to
substituting English for Hawaiian schools, in so far as may be
practicable, and also in relation to the granting of Government
aid towards independent schools for the education and moral
training of females.
Through the laudable efforts of a number of private
individuals--whom I take this first public opportunity of
thanking--several establishments of this latter description
have been instituted during the past year; and although thus
far little more than a commencement in the good work has been
made, their progress has been satisfactory. I dwell on this
subject, Nobles and Representatives, because our very
existence as a people depends on the youthful training of the
future mothers of our land, and that must not be jeopardized
through lack of effort on our part.
To your careful consideration I recommend the proposed
amendments to the Constitution, as passed by the last
Legislature.
The "Queen's Hospital," at Honolulu, instituted for the relief
of the sick and indigent, has now been in operation for nine
months, and to this praiseworthy institution I direct your
attention, that suitable provision in aid thereof may be made
in the biennial estimates, with a view also that branch
Dispensaries may be established at other places in the
Kingdom.
In conclusion, Nobles and Representatives, I trust that in
your deliberations on the necessary business that may come
before you, that you will combine care with dispatch, and I
will join with you in supplicating the Ruler of all nations
for that wisdom which will best direct your efforts.