The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1875-05-15
THE OPIUM

III OGAOM 4NhGGAN"
One Of the results Of the residence in these Isl
ands Of Chinese is the introduction here Of the
demOralizing practice Of smoking opium. When
the system was first inaugurated Of bringing
Chinese coolies here as laborers on our planta-
tions, the idea was never entertained that a spe-
ciaI law would be needed for their accommoda-
ton, whereby they might be provided with the
drug with which they are 50 cursed in their own
country but on the contrary laws were enacted,
that may now be found in the Civil Code, restrict
ing the importation and sale of "opium and
other drugs" to duly qualified and licensed ply
sicians or surgeons, and the persons thus licensed
were specially prohibited from selling or furnish
ing "Opium or any preparation thereof, or any
poisonous drug, to any Chinaman or cOOlie, ex-
cept upon the prescription of a physician or sur
geOn.' This was the law in 1889, some seven
years after the arrival Of the first lot Of laborers
imported from China. 1t is now fully apparent
that it would have been vastly better for US had
our Legislators been content to leave 1t 50. But
unfortunately, the SOlons of IS6O,-not, as We
imagine, from a sentiment Of beneyolence for the
coolie, deprived Of his accustomed drug, but from
the suggestion that a goOdly amount of revenue
might be realized from the duties and license
fees,-repealed the wholesome prohibitory law,
which ordinary vigilance might have enforced,
aud enacted that three licenses to import and sell
opium to Cinnamon, two for Honolulu and one
for Lahaina, might be granted annually by the
Minister of the Interior, at the upset price at
auction of $4,000 each license, the licensee Civ
ing a bond Of one thousand dollars conditioned
not to s." to any person except n Chinaman.
Here was wisdom in the concrete : While plan
ming to replenish our Golfers by pandering to the
vice Of the heather Chinee, we iancied that by a
simple provision Of law we could effectually cir
cumscribe and limit its effects to him alone. We
all know to-day, in some degree, what have been
the consequences Of the law Of 1860. Finan-
cially, the government has been the apparent
gamer. The revenue from the opium traffic in
fifteen years through licenses and duties has
been very considerable, amounting as we learn
from official sources, to Sl2l, 1855 from the
former, and S23 ,43O.63 from the latter, a sum
total Of revenue that has gone into the Treasury
from this souvas Of S1I5 1926.
We have said above that Government has been
ibe apparent gamer by the opium traffic but
how shall we estimate in dollars the loss to the
country by the Generalization, sloth, disease and
death which the use Of opium has accomplished
for the nation 1.-THE natives, to an extent little
dreamed Of by ordinary observers, have acquired
the habit from the low class Of Chinese, either
now employed on plantations or whose contracts
have expired, and who are scattered from one end
Of the islands to the other. This habit once es-
tabIished, is a slavery compared to which that Of
the drunkard's appetite is freedom. Its victim,
unlike the beer or rum drInker, invariably courts
privacy, and so almost entirely escapes observation.
Under the law Of 1860, rs we have seen, the
licenses for the sale Of opium were restricted to
Honolulu and Lahainn, but the latter town had
only a brief enjoyment Of the privilege,-and
Honolulu has been the centre from which the
lethargic influence has gone out over the group.
Up to 1865, but one license was sold yearly, and
there was no competition in the trade. In that
year however, the increased demand for the drug
caused by the rapid spread of Its use among the
natives, resulted in the issuance Of two licenses
per annum ever since, the sale Of which at auc-
ton has drawn together the mOneyed men among
the Chinese and created n scene Of sharp compe-
tition. The largest amount realized to the treas
slry in one year from the sale of opium licenses
vas 2 ,57S, in 1873. Last year, for some rea-
son, best known to the dealer, the licenses brought
But $40, 2GG, exclusive Of commissions to the
ductiOHeer, etc.
Now while the law suPposes that nobody but
Cinnamon can buy and use the drug, it will
require no argument to convince any one that the
large quantity represented by say S26,5OO for
licenses. and Sl,Gl6.43 for duties lin 1922,
besides 4 fair margin for profits of the DEALER
was never consumed IN one year by 1888 Chinese,
which was the entire number, male and female,
residing in the islands ut the date Of the last
census. 4 little careful figuring would undOubt-
edIy show that a Surprisingly large proportion Of
the annual consumption must be by Hawaiians.
II. sale TO them being strictly interdicted by law,
and the licensees Of opium being notably careful
as well IS law-abidiDg men, 1t follows that the
natives get their supplies from second and third
hands among tie Chinese, and that this Illicit
trade must be pretty extensive. Beyond the
fact. As represented By reliable correspondents,
that the drug is used by very many natives in
the remote districts where Chinese peddlers
abound. we know but little about the traffic out
side Of Honolulu. Here in the city however, a
Moderate amount Of inquiry, properly prosecuted,
will satisfy any ones curiosity as to the nature
and. in some degree, tie extent Of the business.
Dens for they are little else) may be pointed out
ON King. Naunakel, Hotel and other streets,
where sometimes during the day but most fire.
ouentlv after dark, tho miserable yotaries Of
Tpium. male and female, may be seen to s~tealthIly
enter 10 indulge in a smoke which brings a few
moments Of pleasing dclirium or stupid forgetful-
ness, and for which they pay from ten to twenty
five cents. This l. for the more Impecunious
smokers-a good deal Is furtiyely procured and
consumed in private houses. \ brief observation
Of those addicted to the habit will suffice to tx on
II