The Daily bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Hawaii]) 1882-1895, 1888-09-04
18TH DAY--August 30th.
MORNING SESSION.

REPORTS OF COMMITTEES.
Noble Smith presented prelimi-
nary report from the Judiciary Com
mittee on petition praying for the
repeal of the Act relating to the
keeping of books and accounts. The
committee before going any further
would like to have the question of
constitutionality of the Act decided,
and have embodied resolution that
t1e question be submitted to the
Justices of the Supreme Court for
their opinion.
Minister Ashford said this report
was the finest exhibition of child's
play yet brought before the House.
No question has arisen as to the
constitutionality of this Act. The
best way is to let the parties inter-
ested test the constitutionality. He
would oppose the resolution.
Minister Thurston said the mo-
tives of the committee were good,
but he doubted the wisdom of their
course. 1t was an exceedingly i'm
portant question for the parties on
both sides, and affected the mercan-
tile business of this country. What
ever way the decision may go, it
should not be untilafter very full
argument, and the citing of laws in
other countries. Similar laws were
in force in England and Germany.
Noble Smith on behalf of the
committee said the question of con-
stitutionality had been raised and
does exist.
Noble Widemann asked Noble
Smith: Surprising the question was
decided by the Court that the Act
was not constitutional, what action
would he propose!
Noble Smith said he could not
answer that.
Noble Widemann thought it best
to let the matter rest where it is.
He should oppose the repeal of the
Act.
Minister Ashford gave further
reasons for opposing the resolution.
To him it looked like firing ques=
lions at the Judiciary the way the
Jews did accusations at Christ in
the olden times.
Rep. Kamauoha spoke in favor OF
the resolution.
Noble Young said such law was
necessary as so many Chinese had
. perpetrated frauds against their
creditors. The law was passed and
it will hurt both good and bad. 1t
would not do for this House to bob
up and down at the beck of the fin
gers of the Chinese. Let the law
take it's course. 1t was made neces'
, sary by the Chinese themselves.
, Noble Smith moved the ayes and
: noes be taken. Agreed to.
The report of the committee was
not adopted by the following divi
sons: noes 80, ayes IL.
: Noble Smith presented a report
l on a bill relating to the cultivation
} and manufacture of ramie. Thu
committee present new bill which
i they recommend do pass.
, The report was received and lai'
/ on the table to be considered witt
S the bill.
: Rep. Dowsett presented repor
e from . select committe on petition
s relating to the licence of the Chi
o nese theatre. AS no complaints ha
= been made to the Acknowledgement c
: Marshal, and it was a judicial ques
o ton, the committee recommend tn
e petition be laid on the table.
d The report was adopted.
n Noble Hitchcock reported from
|, special committee on petition re
o lating to the election law, recon
d mending the same be laid on tn
}. table.
IS The report was adopted.
= ASKING QUESTIONS.
=. Noble Widemann asked the TO
:, lowing questions of the Minister {
/. Interior:
~ The Minister of the Interior in h
% answer yesterday to the question
by Rep. Nakaleka on the 18th inst
~ stated that Mr.. Forsyth had bee
~ ~ in the employ of the Government
n from August 18th, 1887, to Ju
- 3lst, 1888, at salary of 5000 p
- month. That Mr.. Forsyth did N
~ draw by inadvertence, his salal
u from February 18th to end
March. That the Government h;
not given any |. o. Us for Mr.. Flo
ed syth's salary, but that Mr.. Forsy
n had rendered several bills to Il
Government on the basis above sta
be ed, up to and including the 3lst
tn July, which His Excellency had a
proved and told him they would
he paid upon the passage of the apr
priation bill, out of any ayailat
if appropriation. With many wor
Id His Excellency further states til
lie Mr.. Forsyth made certain propo'
I'd tons and leaves to be inferred