The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1886-07-13

friendly act. Although we have no treaties
with China, yet it is worth while always to
maintain friendly relations with that great
Empire, and it is fact of Importance that
a gentleman of Mr. You Cha Hee's stand
ing should make such statement. The
committee regarded the entire absence of
any of the petitioners signing the two pc
titions from this meeting as remarkable,
and such absence is not explained, except
on the theory that they are all secret
society men, and did not wish to appear
and be questioned thereon. Those who
did present themselves were, with two OF
three exceptions, members of the Chinese
Benevolent Society, whics5. Association will
have the expenditure of the funds realized
from this proposed law. In some respects
the bill may be said to be in their favor,
although they Will be but trustees. If the
bill should become law it will no doubt
add from $4,000 to $4,000 to the revenue
of the country each year, for undoubtedly
very large number of Chinese who now
escape taxation will be reported to the
Assessors and Collectors by the agents of
the Chinese Benevolent Society"
The bill makes provision sufficient for
its smooth working, and perhaps needs no
cnange IN tndt respect.
The two petitions referred to pray 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-naturalized
Chinese residents tax of one dollar in
addition to the annual five dollars per-
sonal taxes; and ajax of one dollar upon
all Chinese arriving in the country in adj
dition 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 pur-
poses, it would undoubtedly belong to the
branch of legislation complained of, and
perhaps would then contravene the Con-
stitution. In argument before the COM
mittee it was suggested that our Constitu
ton makes no special provision against
class legislation.
But in the opinion of the committee, the
proper Interpretation of both articles Ii
and Ia of the Constitution forbids such
legislation. This bill, however, is not in
tended to provide for general revenue, it
has special object, to wit, the collection
of fund for the care of such Chinese as
now are, or are likely to soon or in the fu
ture to become public charges.
1t has been suggested that the matter
really belongs to the ''Police power" of the
Government. It may be so viewed, and if
such view is correct there can be no doubt
of the right of the Assembly to pass this
bill The object to be attained is consid-
cred extremely desirable, and if the bill is
not unconstitutional the committee believe
that it ought to pass. AS there seems to
be doubt, possibly but very small doubt,
that the bill is perfectly constitutional, 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 NJ. Gibson,
J. T. Baker.
If the above is not unconstitutional I
favor its passage, but I am in some doubt.
j. L. Kaulukou.
Report tabled for consideration with
the bill.
Representative Richardson from the
Committee reported back as
printed the bill relating to the providing
of payment of salaries and certain Gov
expenses until August 31st.
Representative Nahale read, for the first
time, bill to amend section 2, chapter 43,
Of the Session Laws of 1882, relating to
the poll tax. and providing for reducing it
from 81 to Is cents. Tabled for consider
alton with the tax bill.
Representative Richardson offered a
resolution that the Justices of the Su-
preme Court be requested to give an opln
ION on the constitutionality of the bill to |
lax Chinese residents now before the
Assembly. Adopted.
Representative Kalua offered the follow
ng resolution: Whereas, The steamer
NOko1i has run regularly between Molokal,
Lanai and Lahaina in accordance with
passed at last session, and that
hone of the appropriation has been paid
o the owners, be it
Resolved, That the Minister of Finance
oay the sum of $500 to the Wilder S. S.
20.
Hon. S. G. Wilder said that although
lie had no right to vote on the resolution,
lie would make statement At the SEES
ion of 1884, an item of 5000 was passed
or steamer to run between the places
mentioned in the resolution. 1t was
,rought up in August, 1884. The sum
sked for was smaller than that passed, as
le stated that no steamer service could be
rot for snch a small amount. The pre-
ent Minister of the Interior seconded the
notion to increase the amount, and spoke
nd voted for it. The Minister at the
ime crossed the floor and asked him if he
lad steamer that would do. The sum of
5000 was passed almost unanimously.
Ie took the steamer MokOlU off route
which was paying and placed her on this
lew route. From the 9th day of August,
S84, she has made SO trips from Pukoo to
lahaina, 81 to Kaulapapa, 40 to Lanai
nd Is to Maalaea Bay. He wrote letter
o the Minister of the Interior offering to
n tho sn,.r;nn hut r,nun,: ,.nna;uad an.-