Rensselaer Republican, Volume 26, Number 43, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 21 June 1894 — NEW CONSTITUTION FOR HAWAII [ARTICLE]

NEW CONSTITUTION FOR HAWAII

It Was Promulgated June 2, and Contain* Some Peculiar Feature*. The steamer Arawa arrived at Victoria, B, C., June 11, bringing advices from Auitralian ports and Honolulu. The Arawa left Honolulu, June 2, when the new constitution of Hawaii was the all-absorbing topic. It had just been promulgated and published. Its first section, dealing with the rights of persons and property, recognizes God as the supreme ruler of the universe and declares for universal equity tnd liberty of the press and Hawiian subjects. Any newspaper, however, which advocates restoration of the monarchical government, or any speaker taking the platform in the Queen's cause or suggesting force to accbmplish a change of government, shall be considered a traitor and created accordingly. The right of habeas corpus is declared to be vested in all men,' indonlytobe suspended in time of national peril. The right of trial in all cases s decreed, and slavery is forever prohibited. Whenever a slave enters the territory of this Republic, the, institution enacts "he shall be free." Articles 11,12, and 13, relating to the powers of taxation and appropriation vested in the Legislature, of eminent domain, and of military subjection to law, follow jlosely the lines of the American constitution. The Republic of Hawaii is the form of government decided upon, the territory to include all previously known as the Kingdom of Hawaii, and the right Of citizenship is extended to: 1. Persons born in the Hawaiian Islands. 2. Persons naturalized according to the laws enacted in their behalf. 3. Persons who, not being Hawaiian citizens, have taken an active part in the formation of the republic or supported the provisional government, in whose cases all usual qualifications shall be waived. The Senate will consist of fifteen members and be elected to hold office for six years. Tho House of Representatives also shall consist of fifteen members, elected every second year. A Senator must be a male citizen of not less than thirty years of age and three years a resident, and must be the owner of property in the republic worth 85,000 above possible incumbrance, with a money income of not less than 81.800 per annum.