The Daily bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Hawaii]) 1882-1895, 1888-08-30
18TH DAY--August 3oth.
MORNING SESSION. !.

The House met at 10 a. m. Presi-
dent w. r. Castle in the chair.
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: Supposing 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-
tions 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 its 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-
sions: noes 80, ayes IL.
Noble Smith presented report
on a bill relating to the cultivation
and manufacture of ramie. The
committee present new bill which
they recommend do pass.
The report was received and laid
on the table to be considered will
the bill.
Rep. Dowsett presented Il report
from select committe on petition
relating to the licence of the Chi.
nese theatre. AS no complaints had
been made to the Attorney-General o.
Marshal, and it was judicial ques
ton, the committee recommend the
petition be laid on the table.
The report was adopted.
Noble Hitchcock reported from .
special committee on petition re
lating to the election law, recon-
mending the same be laid on th,
table.
The report was adopted.
ASKING QUESTIONS.
| Noble Widemann asked the fol
lowing questions of the Minister o
Interior:
The Minister of the Interior in hi
answer yesterday to the question
by Rep. Nakaleka on the 18th inst.
stated that Mr.. Forsyth had beel
in the employ of the Government
from August 18th, 1887, to Jul,
3lst, 1888, at salary of 5000 pc
month. That Mr.. Forsyth did no
draw by inadvertence, his salar.
from February 18th to end o
March. That the Government has
not given any 1. o. US for Mr.. For
syth's salary, but that Mr.. Forsyth
had rendered several bills to tn
Government on the basis above stat
ed, up to and including the 3lst o
July, which His Excellency had ap
proved and told him they would b
paid upon the passage of the apprC
, priation bill, out of any availabl
appropriation. With many word
( His Excellency further states tina
| Mr.. Forsyth made certain proposi
, tions and leaves to be inferred-a
| His Excellency does not stat
Q clearly-that these proposition
| were eventually accepted by til
e Cabinet after they had considere
a number of times. According
8 the above statement there was dL