The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1880-05-29

but IL was pointed out TO him that ne hao taken 2
wrong view of the question, he withdrew all ne
had said.
Mr.. Rhodes expressed his surprise at the argu.
ment from the Ministerial side of the House, and
how this bill could be committed, he was at a
loss to know. He said he was IN favor OF ITS IN
definite pOstponement, because II carried there
would Immediately follow anarchy throughout
the country. If he understood it rightly it was
unconstitutional and would IN effect sweep away
all contracts. 1t would interfere with the Gov-
eminent, with ships; in fact it would simply
place everything at the disposition OF evil dis
posed persons who wished to overrun the country
and who had no honesty. These laws had been
in force for 20 years, and to sweep them away at
once, everything would 60 with 1t. What are We
going to do with all the Portuguese and South
Sea Islanders? Are they not to be provided for!
Also, the people we hope to get, as we do hope,
Mr.. Chairman to get some more laborers.
HIS Ex. the Attorney General said, this bill
seeks to repeal all the penal clauses between
masters and servants. All such clauses as pro-
vide punishment for breach of contract. " hen
the Hon. Member who introduced the bill has an
opportunity of studying constitutional law, he
will be Of a different opinion. To say that the
present system is slavery, Is demagogism that
tends to revolution, and when the Hon. gentlemen
says the Members of this House are demagogues,
L say he is a demagogue himself by showing his
ignorance Of the laws of civilized countries, 1T
ever he lived in one before he came here. III a
man neglects his work he is liable to 3 months
imprisonment, and if he takes an advance, and
does not go to work he also gets 3 months. The
law provides for those who would swindle and
plumber, and of which sect the Hon. Member ap-
pears to be a champion.
His Elk. here quoted from the Australian laws
showing that a man who leaves the cane-ield,
or absents himself in anyway is liable for 8
months in prison. The laws are made for
honest laborers and no honest man objects to
such law. His Elk. was not prepared to say
that the law in this country is perfect-yery
few countries are perfect in that respect. No
person will carry on business unless he can pro-
tect himself against dishonest laborers. lie
knew that it cost enough at present to pay
police to look after deserters. No doubt the
law inflicted some hardships, but repeal these
laws, and we shall have our gaols filled with
criminals, with the excuse that they have
nothing to cat. He thought the Hon. Member
had relented and would not dare to take the
bill up, as he was absent on two occasions
when it was before the House. His Elk. would
therefore support the indefinite postponement.
Mr.. GlendOn, in reply said, that it was un-
constitutional to be hired as is the case at
present. Admitting that a servant sells him
self to an employer, does the law admit 1T?
Similar laws existed in the United States form
erly. The negro sold himself to the dealer in
Africa. and according to the laws of the United
Safes, the contract was valid. But al such
laws were now repealed. Referring to the
quotation made by His Excellency from the
Australian cOOe, ne WOulu say InaC foreign
laws are not binding in this country as they
are conflicting with our laws and rights. He
also said we must recollect that Australia was
a penal colony of Great Britain. Criminals
were sent there and the laws of the country
provided for their punishments. In modern
days, neither England. France nor the United
States would Imprison a man for a simple
breach OF contract. Such a country as Eng
land encouraged slavery at one time, but that is
simply as 1T was. and at present is not. Mr.
Rhodes bad said it would be the cause of in
surrection if these laws were repealed.
Mr. Rhodes corrected the Honorable Member
by stating that his words were Upset our
civil institutions"
Mr.. Glendon continued, it is assumed to be a
civil contract to 90 to work, and according to
law it is simply a debt. If a master advances
money to a servant. the law is not to be found
fault with. 1t is a matter not to be laughed at
but a serious matter. 1t had been limited that
the bill was a false or mistaken view of his con-
stituents. It is not so. Were it not true he
would not be there to represent them. The bill
uttered the voice of the oppressed Hawaiian
people.
The ayes and noes were taken on the subject
of indefinite pOstponement. Result-ayes "a,
noes Ia.
An Act to regulate contracts between masters
and servants, relating to the necessity of agree
merits being written in both English and Hawai-
ian languages, was read a second time and passed
to engrOssment.
His Elk. the Minister of Interior issued an in
v~itation to the members of the Assembly To visit
the new palace, the barracks and the armory on
Saturday next at 3 o'clock. He explained that
he desired to point out how the money asked for
was to be spent. He also intimated that after
the ceremony, a lunch would be provided.
Al 4. 10 P. N. the House adjourned until l p.
NJ. tomorrow.
TwENrY-rHIRD ~DAY-Friday, May 18th, 1880.
The House met at l O'Clock. Minutes of the
previous meeting were read and confirmed.
PETITIONS.
That a railway be made from Hilo to the
volcano. Referred TO Committee on Public
Lands and Internal improvements.
That no licenses for sale of intoxicating
liquors be granted for the District of Kau.
Referred to Committee on Judiciary.
I Mr.. Keau asked for further time to report
upon bill for sale of opium, which was grant
Mr.. Kaanapali gave notice of his intention
to introduce an Act to repeal Section
480, of the Civil Code, also a notice to amend
Section 1477. of Civil Code.
ORDER OF THE DAY.
Second reading of an Act to amend Section
1888, of Civil Code, which was passed to en-
grossment and ordered to be read a third time
on Tuesday next.
A resolution was offered, asking that the
subject of Immigration be made the order of
the day, for Tuesday next.
MIR. Gibson, as Chairman of the Finance
COMMITTEE, said he appreciated the urgency of
the business and pointed out that all the time
the House was not assembled, the COMMITTEES
of Finance had been engaged on the Public
accounts. The accounts OF the Immigration are
large and require special attention and he hoped
that the House would be enlightened and appro-
pirate judichously. The COMMITTEES had finished
its general work, and thought the report would
embrace everything, it was very comprehensive.
They proposed to hold a meeting tomorrow to
read over what had been done.
If necessary. on Monday they would be pre-
pared to report to the House, but he would ask
that it be set down for the order of the day on
Tuesday. This motion was not acted upon.
ResOlued by Mr.. Pilipo. that the report of the
Finance Committe be printed before being pre-
sented.
Mr.. Gibson said he had interviewed the printer
on the subject, and that it could be ready on
Tuesday morning if the House wished to nave il