The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1890-07-30
Afternoon Session.

The House re assembled at l As.
Second reading OF the bill to increase
the duty on coffee from Sc. TO Sc. per
pound.
Rep. Waipuilani-I introduced this
bill to increase the duty on coffee from |
countries not having treaty with us.
A great deal OF coffee is imported into |
this country. Some called Java which |
sells as high or higher than Kona coffee. |
l think We ought to protect the home in
dustry.
Minister Brown-The importations of
coffee are excessively small, and the
present duty is almost prohibitive.
move reference to the Committee ON
Commerce.
Noble Burchardt said the difficulty
was that great deal of what was i'm
ported was not coffee at all, and the
matter could be dealt with by prohibit
ing the importation of adulterated foods
The bill was referred to the Committee
on Commerce.
Second reading of bill No. 55 to re-
duce the school age.
Noble Crabbe moved consideration be
deferred until the introducer was pres
ent. The bill was passed over.
Second reading of bill to provide for
Vi WV blSllCt lOk
Hama and to divide the district.
Rep Waipuilani moved it pass to en-
grossment
Minister Peterson moved reference to
the Judiciary Committee. Carried.
Second reading of bill No. SIS an Act
to reduce the school age limit to Is
years.
Rep. Richard, the introducer of the
bill moved its reference to the Commit
tee on Education. The object of the bill
was to help Portuguese families.
Minister Brown-The provisions of the
bill are very simple. | don't see why it
| cannot be considered at once 1t simply
reduces the period OF compulsory attend
ance two years. Children can attend
after they are thirteen, if they wish. l
move it pass to engrossment.
Rep. Marques--I think the intention
of the bill is good. We must consider
the interests of the parents but of the
nation too. | suggest an amendment
which shall specify that at Is years they
pass some kind of examination which
shall show their proficiency.
Rep. Robt. Wilcox-I move the bill
be indefinitely postponed. There is not
the same harm here for going to work
/ early. We don't want the country full
of ignorant people.
Noble Isenberg-I move to amend by
making, it IA instead of Is years. If
they are going to leave school and go to
work fourteen is better than thirteen.
Rep. Kahookano-I think the present
law is well enough and l do not think
we had better NEEDLE with it. This law
is for the Portuguese, but native Ha-
waiians will take advantage of it. The
result will be that We shall have the
country full OF ignorant people grow
ing up.
Rep. >Rickard-I know that a great
many people will be benefited by this
law. Children of thirteen can do good
deal of work in this country. A child
going to school seven years can get a
very good plain education. 1t is very
hard for the Portuguese with large fami-
lies to get along. For this reason have
introduced the bill. fully agree with
what has been said as to the Importance
of good education, but the present law
works great hardship.
| Noble j. NJ. Horner-In my opinion
what is running this country to-day is
that the boys are not brought up to
years is big lot for an American boy to
60 to school. Very few farmers boys
get that. Abraham Lincoln never had
more than year or two's schooling.
We must make laws for the many not
for the few The few will take care OF
themselves. 1t is my impression that il
boy who has been to school six years
and hasn't learned to read, write and
!; cipher, has so thick head that he will
never learn anything anyway. l think
if they worked from twelve years, hall
| the year, he would make more useful
boy and man than if he went to school
till he was twenty-one.
, Noble Cornwell-I am of the same
opinion as Reps. Robt. Wilcox and Ka
hookano. know that if this bill passes
there will be Hawaiian children running
, around the town doing nothing. 1t will
: work hardship for the Hawaiians, and
{ for that reason l favor indefinite post
} ponement.
Noble Pua-I don't agree with the las
member. On second reading bill must
| be passed or committed. l move refer
ence to the Committee on Education.
; Rep. Kauhi-I think the law requiring
: children to 60 to school from six unit
/ fifteen is a good law, about as good as
possible. Now ii it improves the law t
reduce it to thirteen, it will improve the
, day to pass a law to have the sun g
| down two hours earlier. l don't thinl
it great sign of wisdom to bring in s
law to repeal a good law of a previou:
( legislature. We don't know it all, We
may think we do, but we don't. l agree
t that the young people ought to learn t.
2 work, but that is possible under the pres
ent law. The school hours are only from
2 nine till two. am therefore in favor o
2 indefinite postponement.
} Rep Maroues-The discussion have
heard has confirmed me in my opinion
the opinion | have just expressed-tha
the present law is good one. The pro
j; posed law ought to provide for cases II
which scholar may be excused at thir
9 teen, when he has showed himself pro
< ficient II this amendment is not adopted
| shall vote for indefinite postponement
; Noble Burchardt-I think the chic
objection to this bill would be remediet
| if it were specified that all scholars who
might pass certain examination at thlr
/; teen could cease going to school. Th'
dull boys would be stirred to effort b.
: such law. My own observation is tina
the boys who 60 to work early turn GU
: best. and make the most successful men
! l am in favor of referring to committee
e Rep. Knudsen-I have had prett.
e long experience with the country school
from Kamehameha III.-on. In m
= district of Waimea, Kauai, there are fou