The Daily bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Hawaii]) 1882-1895, 1890-08-13

the llaDlllty OF NeSSeIS lot OPIUM
Rep. Kauhi thought nothing could
be added to the full discussion of
yesterday. lie therefore moved
that the bill be indefinitely post
poncd and that the ayes aud noes
be called on the question.
Noble j. NJ. Ilorner desired TO
know the reason for having the bill
rcconsidered.
Noble Cornwel had no good
reason to offer. lie was in favor
Of the bill, but had unwittingly been
absent from the House when the
vote was taken. 1t was not right
that respectable firms should be
held responsible for the wrong
doing of their servants. Did any
body suppose that j. ID. Spreckels
& Bros. had anything TO do with
the opium seized at Kahului.
Noble j. NJ. lIorner was rather
glad that this matter had come back
to the House. He gave vote
against the bill yesterday without
giving reasons. The bill had been
rightly characterized as measure
to promote the smuggling of opium.
II q captain would have his vessel
thoroughly searched for opium
whenever he got out to sea,
and there was opium on board
that policeman could get in
fifteen minutes the captain could
surely get it in fifteen days. 1t
looked absurd for owners to ask this
Legislature for protection, when
they had the power in their own
hands. Our present laws demanded
of shipowners that they assist our
Government in keeping opium out
of the country, and they had better
facilities for preventing smuggling
than the Government. If this law
passed captains would not care how
much opium their vessels brought,
and the door would he thrown wide
| open for the Introduction of the
drug. If there was any member
who could give a'reason for the pass
age of the bill let him hold up his
hand. (Severl members show their
hands.) Let Noble Marsdcn an
swer.
Noble Marsden said he was not
present at the vote, and if he had
been would probably have voted fol-
indefinite postponement. But he
had been thinking great deal about
it since, and now considered il
would not be right TO hold an owner
who might live in Liverpool or Ger
many, responsible for the master o.
crew. Let the master and officer,
be held responsible.
Noble Widemann denied in totc
that this bill was intended TO pro
mote the smuggling of opium. l
was our opium prohibitory laws tina
promoted the smuggling of opium
and tempted every sailor comm!
here to smuggle it.
Minister Peterson knew that tn
argument on behalf of the owner
was n very catching one, it appca
ed to the fair play of members. Blu
this law was the same as was on tn
statute books of almost every mar
time nation on earth. Why shout
Hawaii be the first to break ava
|, from such laws, when those of othe
maritime nations were much NOR
] stringent than this. II wasonly til
ether day that the owners of larg
Atlantic steamship were mulcted i
heavy damages because firema
Struggled 400 cigars. Our law pre-
. vided that the Minister of Financ
| could settle with the owners whe
, judgment was rendered again
them. Was it not better that til
discretion should be allowed the Mil
2 lister than that the precaution shoul
4 be swept away.
Noble Muller did not see how IL
bill would either promote or prevel
t smuggling. There was more opiu
c Struggled under this law than b
fore.
Noble Baldwin moved the Hou'
. take recess. Carried.
Rep. Marques gave notice th'
the committee of thirteen on II
schools item would hear all interes
Z ed tomorrow morning at $3.50.
. Recess from IL to 80.