The Hawaiian gazette., 1870-07-13
Legislative Proceedings.
FIr1r-sEvEs1H DAY, July 9th, 49,


ed tablng that asking reduce the of license for
recommend carrying passengers Also that asking for
wharfage free, on account of carrying the mails.
Recommended granting the request to change the
law in regard to the carrying of passengers. They
reported Bill on the subject. The Committee we're
in favor of a reenactment of Sec LAG of the Civil
Code in regard to the shipping of Hawaiian seamen.
They doubtful to the wisdom of granting
the petition from Kau asking for Government aid in
the establishment of manufactory in the District
Report approved
Committee Finance reported consideration of a
| petition from c. L. Richards Co., asking to have
returned to them the cost of returning the country
fifty two Hawaiian seamen burned out by the Shen-
andoah, they recommended appropriation of $3.50
for part payment of the asked their opinion
being that the United States should bear part of the
expense. The Report approved.
| Resoiutions.-Mr. Rice introduced the Bills given
notice of in the Report of the Committee on Com
merce. The first entitled An Act to amend An Act
entitled An Act to regulate the carrying of passen
| gers. 1t read by the Clerk. Nature was to al
low the carrying of three passengers for every two
tons burthen Hawaiian vessels and provide protec-
tion for the same. Bill passed to second reading
under the rules.
Second Bill was read and passed to second reading
under the rules, its nature regulate the cen
sing of vessels.
Third Bill was read and passed to second reading.
Its nature to regulate the carrying of passengers
Fourth Bill was read and passed to second reading.
Its nature to amend the law in regard to the
shipping of Hawaiian for foreign voyages.
Rules were suspended and the above four Bills
we're referred to the Judiciary Committee,
His Ex. Mr.. Hutchison special leave being
granted, introduced Bill to amend Sec. 4O3 of the
Civil Code. Bill read first time and passed to second
reading under the rules its nature was to make
special regulations in regard to the postal treaty
with the United States.
Order Of the Day.-Appropriation Bill was the first
the orders, the item under consideration being the
$500 subsidy for the Australian Steam Line pre-
eeding discussion this item it was allowed that
other items should be discussed and acted upon.
Mr.. Bishop moved the insertion Of an item as fol-
lows Reimbursement of owners of bark Richmond
for returning Hawaiian seamen $780,.
Mr. Bishop Explained the reasons of the Commit
tee Finance for the introduction of the tem urg
ing strongly its passage.
Mr.. Harris stated that this matter had been
before the Government since 1865, and they did
not think it just right to pay this charge de-
manded. The Government had been as liberal and
just could have been desired In the early part of
1865 the Shenandoah had appeared in this ocean
and began preying upon their own national
sells, well the Hawaiian vessel Harvest.
There were many of both nationalitles at As
cension, in distress. This Government fitted
sci and sent to them supplies for which charge what
request had been made to the United States.
The American whalers shipped here Hawaiians, whom
they bound themselves to return to the country those
seamen became for the time being, Americans, under
the laws of the United States. Now they had been
captured by rebels against the American Govern
ment, not enemies of this nation. These Citizens of
of country would have, if occasion had offered,
fought against the rebels, where the justice
of making demand against for the return to Hon
olulu of these seamen.
The General Pike had relieved herself of the great
press of board, who had been placed there by
the Shenandoah, by putting board the Rich
mOnd. Where the justice of paying the of
this vessel for bringing home sailors? 1t should
also be done for the General Pike. He hoped
that the House would reject the item.
Mr.. Bishop said that the Committee did not claim
that there was any legal right for this demand, but
ment of this sum would be a stroke of good policy.
If paid then hereafter whenever sailors
citizens found in foreign countries they would
be aided, if in distress.
The Richmond was not bound to take these seamen,
she not captured by the Shenandoah, she did it
out of mercy, and then she might have taken them
San Francisco, thereby entaing upon the Hawaiian
Government new expense for their maintenance and
bringing home. He urged the passage Of the item.
His Ex. Mr.. Harris answered that the in all
probability that the Richmond took these passengers,
was the fact that the General Pike in distress,
and had the captain refused to aid them, thereafter
he could have gotten another vessel or insu-
rance if he did. 1t establishing very bad pre-
cedent to pay for acts of humanity and that espee-
tally for distress produced by between citizens
of another country which concerned us not at all.
He instanced case of a vessel which took fire
to the North of the Islands, British ship hove in
sight and rescued large number of Chinese, Ameri-
cans and one Hawaiian. The Assembly would laugh
if that English captain had presented request for
damages for saving the life of that Hawaiian.
The American Government had recognized his hu-
manity by Resolution of thanks in Congress, and
the presentation of gold chronometer, nothing
said about any legal restitution any thing of the
kind
Mr.. Lyons supported the item, be hoped it would
pass on account of the good policy it engendered.
His. Ex. Mr.. Phillips hoped that the item would
not pass, he looked at it in legal point of view, and
from that standpoint opposed its passage. If did
pass. very bad precedent would be established,
which would much trouble hereafter. If the
item passed. door would be opened to endless tiga-
tion, which would come upon us in great floods. On
another point he spoke The Hawaiian Government
had taken great pains to see that Hawaiian seamen
were well taken Of and that they should be
turned to this country when shipping on foreign yes
sells, bonds had to be given to that effect.
The item of $3.50 was rejected.
Consideration of the $500 then came before the
House. His Ex. Mr.. Hutehison moved that further
consideration be postponed till Tuesday.
Mr. Hitchcock amended that the appropriation Bill
be passed on 2nd reading day and that the above
item come in on the Sid reading, carried.
His Ex. Mr.. Hutchison moved that the action of
the House on an item of 81 500 for Court House at
waimea be reconsdered, the motion carried and
he then moved that the word Waimea be striker out
aud Koloa inserted, which carried
The Minister than moved to insert item fol-
lows Repairs of Court House at amea $500 passed.
Mr. Enr,ahoa moved to reconsider the action Of the