The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1886-07-13
TUESDAY
July 18th
THE LEGISLATURE.

The Legislative Assembly yesterday
made progress with the estimates of ex-
Penditure in the Interior Department,
and added several new votes, some of
which were referred to a committee
already appointed to consider all similar
proposals. The sum of $12, 900 for the
Queens Hospital was added, on motion
of Hon. Mr.. Bishop. On motion of Mr..
Thurston, an item of $4,000 for encour-
aging the cultivation of ramie was in
serted in the Appropriation bill, and re-
ferred as above stated
Considerable discussion took place OF
a vote of $1,000 compensation for an I'M
divided interest in the land on which the
fish market and foundry stand Mr.
Kaulukou introduced this motion. The
merits of the claim were discussed by
Messrs. Brown, Castle and Dole, who
opposed the motion, but on vote being
taken it was carried, their Excellencies
Messrs. Gibson and Creighton not
voting. This led to an attack upon them
in the House when the report of the
VI JIlG w IlOl6 WAS con-
sideration, Mr. Castle having moved to
lay it on the table. The explanation OF
Ministers satisfied the House, and Mr.
Dole expressed regret that he should
have so greatly misjudged their motives.
1t was, however, conceded that this was
proper item to refer to the Committee
on new appropriations, with the view
that equity might be done.
Early in the forenoon a debate on the
opium traffic was raised by a resolution
introduced by Mr. Castle, which called
for a committee to hold public sittings,
and invite all interested in the opium
business, whether as cultivators or other
wise, to attend and impart such informa-
ton on the subject as they might possess,
and report in two weeks. The Attorney
General, Mr.. Dare, thought this time
was too long; while the Minister OF
Foreign Affairs, Mr.. Creighton, thought
the resolution would be abortive, mas
much as those interested in opium
smuggling, who could throw light upon
the subject, would not attend and dis
close their methods. In his judgment
the question narrowed down to the single
proposition whether opium should or
should not be licensed. His Individual
opinion was in favor of a license. 1t
would add largely to the revenue and
would not increase consumption. Large
quantities of opium were now intro
duced, and he considered that public
morals suffered greater injury by this
illegal traffic than it could suffer by the
legalized sale of opium.
Mr. Thurston attacked Mr.. Creighton
for his views on opium smuggling, in
dulging in personal reflections which
were promptly replied to by His Ex-
cellency Mr.. Gibson, who expressed
himself favorable to investigation by a
committee. The House, however, did
not sustain the motion, which was laid
on the table after a division called for by
Mr.. Kaululzou. We think this was the
proper course to take. There are two
bills before the Legislature in reference
to opium, and it would unduly delay ac-
ton upon them to appoint such a COM
mittee as Mr.. Castles motion called for
Indeed, if it had been adopted it would
have had the effect of shelving the en-
tire question for the session. This is
hardly desirable, either on its fiscal or
its moral side. Moreover, the work of
legislation is being blocked by the null
tiplication of committees.
A report by the Finance Committee
ON the payment of $3.50 to the Japanese
Inspector, also Mr.. Dickey's minority
report thereon, were presented and
ordered to be considered together. We
think that the latter reflects unjustly
upon His Excellency Mr.. Kanoa, who
had no knowledge whatever of the pay
ment in question, the draft of his pre-
decessor being presented at the Treasury
in the ordinary course of business, July
I'd, and paid by the accountant.
This investigation will do good, no
doubt, as it will lead to a stricter OBJ
servance of the letter of the law here
after. This is desirable, although it
may inflict hardship upon individuals.
But the same thing happens elsewhere.
we unu 10y I6CSIIt newspaper CASAAiiSC0
that the Federal Courts in several States
of the Union, have been temporarily
closed, and prisoners remain untried
owing to the expiration of the appro-
priation and the failure of Congress to
pass a new Appropriation bill. Work
was suspended at the New York navy
yard on July 1st, and one thousand peo-
pie were temporarily discharged from it
for the same reason. Officers, seamen
and marines were told they must at
tend to duty, pay or no pay, and furnish