The Daily bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Hawaii]) 1882-1895, 1886-07-09

the Assembly TO reject this bill, or
to place the same tax on all tax
payers, claiming that this bill is
direct class legislation.
The bill imposes on all non-natur-
allied Chinese residents a tax of one
dollar in addition to the annual five
dollars personal taxes; and tax
of one dollar upon all Chinese on
arriving in the country in addition
to the two dollars hospital tax now
imposed.
If the bill proposed to tax the
Chinese generally six dollars while
others are taxed but five dollars for
general revenue purposes, it would
undoubtedly belong to the branch of
legislation complained of, and per-
haps would then contravene the Con-
stitution. In argument before the
committee it was suggested that our
Constitution makes no special pro.
vision against class legislation.
But, in the opinion of the COM
mittee, the proper Interpretation of
both articles 10 and ID of the Con-
stitution forbids such legislation.
This bill, however, is not intended
to provide for general revenue, it
has special object, to wit, the col
lection of fund for the care of
such Chinese as now are, or are like
lv to soon or in the future to become
public charges.
1t has been suggested that the
matter really belongs to the "Police
power" of the Government. 1t
may be so viewed, and if such view
is corret there can be no doubt of
the right Of the Assembly to pass
this bill. The object to be attained
is considered extremely desirable,
and if the bill is not unconstitu-
tional the committee believe that it
ought to pass. AS there seems to
be doubt, possibly but very small
doubt, that the bill is perfectly con-
stitutional, the benefit of such doubt
should be given to the bill, and the
committee so recommend. The
petition will of course lie upon the
table.
w. r. CASTLE,
WALTER M. GIBSON,
j. T. BAKER.
If the above is not unconstitutional
favor its passage, but l am in some
doubt.
j. l.. KAULUKoU.
Rep. Dickey moved the report be
adopted.
Rep. Thurston moved it be laid
on the table to be considered will
the bill, which carried.
Rep. Richardson presented a re.
port from the Engrossing Commit
tee, submitting the engrossed copy
of the bill to provide for certain ex'
penditures till August 31st.
Rep. Nahale read a first time al
act to amend sec. 2, chap. 43, law:
of 1882, reducing the poll tax from
| 81 to Is cents. On motion of Rep
Aholo, the bill was read second
time by title, and, on motion Of
Rep. Kaunamano, was laid on the
table to be considered with the tax.
alton bill.
Rep. Richardson moved a resolu.
ton that the Chief Justice be re.
quested to give his opinion on the
constitutionality of the bill to tax
Chinese residents, before the Assem-.
bly, takes action on the said bill
Carried.
Rep. Kalua presented a resolution
that the Minister of Finance bt
authorized to pay owners of the
steamer Mokolii, the Wilder Steam
ship Company, the sum of SIS, POO
as appropriated by the last Legisla
ture for regular services of thai
steamer between Honolulu and ports
on Molokai and Lanai.
Rep. Kaulukou raised the point Of
order that the resolution was not in
proper form, as it should ask that
the sum be inserted in the Appro'
priation Bill.
The President ruled the point
well taken.
Rep. Kalua moved for leave tc
amend his resolution.
Noble Wilder was aware that he
had no right to vote on this question,
but he had a right to make state
ment. AS stated, the last Legisla-
ture voted subsidy of $4,000 for a
steamer to run between Pukoo, Mo-
lokai, Lahaina and Lanai. 1t was
brought up the first week in August,
1884. The sum asked was a small
one, and he stated that no steamer
could be got to run for any such
money. The Minister of Foreign
Affairs at that time, now the Minis.
ter of Interior, seconded the motion
for an increase, spoke in favor of il
and voted for it. The Minister
crossed the house to where he (Mr.
Wilder) was talking to Hon. j. Mott
Smith, and asked him if he had O
steamer he would put on and what
he would do. He then returned tc
his seat and said what he would do
that for $50 per trip he would per,
form the service required. The sun
of So 200 was passed almost unani-
mously-he did not think there was
a vote against it. He took the
steamer from the route where she
was making money, and put her Oh