The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1864-02-27

Each Of these topics ought TO be well discussed
before being acted on. The great fault OF our
legislation Is, that the laws made are passed, not
withstanding the lengthy sessions, with too little
discussion and practical knowledge OF their ope-
ration. Especially so is this with the native
portion of the legislature, many OF whom, m
both houses, are entirely ignorant of the rudi-
ments of law. And for this reason, we believe
that a property qualification, applicable to can
didates for both houses, should become a law of
the land, in order TO secure Il more intelligent
class as law makers.
The subjects referred TO as likely TO be brought
before the Legislature, all merit discussion but
We can notice only the first 1T this time Look
ing at the complexion of the lower house, we
opine that q majority of the members are in
favor of a distillation law of some kind. At
least one-third of the members have been chosen
avowedly on that platform. 1t is reasonable TO
anticipate, then, that q strong effort will be
made TO pass the measure, and the probabilities
are that a d%istillery act of some kind will be-
come a law. The idea is prevalent that 4 dis
tillery can be put up and carried on in Homo
lulu that may provide all the rum wanted Tor
consumption-''a choice and pure article'-to
pay handsomely as an investment, and provide
another source of revenue TO the government.
No one doubts these results. The manufacture
of and traffic in ardent spirits are among the
most profitable branches of business, especially
where the liquorts are consumed in the country
where they have been manufactured. The gov
eminent. too, by an excise tax of one or two
dollars per gallon, on all sales for consumption
here might derive, perhaps. an income of two to
thousand dollars therefrom, provided the
pay of excise officers does not consume all the
receipts.
But the financial view is not the only one that
be taken of the subject. Is it polite?
Is it wise? The establishment of a d~istillery in
Honolulu-though it be regulated by the strong
est safeguards and excise rules,-will be the
entering wedge that will eventually result in
distilleries on every island, and in
connection with the plantations. If, after a
trial of a d~istillery in Honolulu, the govern
nent treasury has a fair prospect of deriving
an income of $4,000 by extending the priyi-
to Hawaii, Maui, and Kauai, how long
will it be before a law will be passed making
{ legal7 Financial arguments are generally the
most powerful ones with legislators. To talk
IF regulating distilleries, SO as to prevent illicit
and consumption of the spirits m~anufac-
ured is nonsense. 1t can't be done. We have
lad twenty years experience in trying to regu-
ate the traffic of spirits, and few will question
hat as much liquor is now sold or drunk illicitly
n these islands as legally.
We like full and free discussions of political
questions. IF it can be shown that the benefits
from the passage of 4 distillation act
and they appear to be solely fscal) outweigh
he evil results that may follow, this or another
legislature will undoubtedly pass such an act. If,
however, the Interior object of the advocates of
his measure is to open the way, either directly
'r indirectly, for furnishing spirituous liquors to
he native population, better abolish at once
he prohibitory liquor law, and open the flood
of rum and ruin 70 the natives.
I'm effort was made in the last Legislature to
the tabu on selling liquor to them, but
t was unsuccessful. Is not the present move
nent designed as a lever to bring about the same
If successful, it will not take many years
o demonstrate the results. Instead of one white
the country will soon have four, and
he whole Government would ultimately slide into
he hands of the whites. Let our rulers and legis-
ators, or such of them as are truly loyal to the
rative race, pause and canvass we'll the subject
efore they the adoption of a meas
re that may terminate in results which they
ow little anticipate. Let them not, for the sake
f replenishing the treasury with a few paltry
ollars, sell their birthright, and initiate a policy
hat may end in dethroning our abs, extinguish-
ng the native race, and transferring the soye-
into the hands of foreigners.