The Daily bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Hawaii]) 1882-1895, 1892-07-22
THU LEGISLATURE.
FORTY-FOURTH DAY.
THURSDAY, July 81, 1892.
Afternoon session.

The Assembly re-convened at :45
O'Clock.
Minister Widemann presented ans
wers to questions of Rep. Kapanu,
relative to a building at Waiohinu
belonging to the Board of Education,
and to the effect that "the house at
Waiohinu was bought, with the lease
of the land on which it stands for
place for the teacher to live. On the
resignation of Mr.. Van Orden about
a year ago, the Misses Martin were
appointed teachers Of the school.
They having home of their own,
did not need the house in question
and it has remained unoccupied most
of the time since. AS these young
ladies may continue where they are,
for some time, it is not unlikely that
the Board of Education will dispose
of the house should fair price be
obtainable. Its cost TO the Board
was SAL. 80"
The Bills on the Order OF the Day
were now brought up, the first being
Bill No 6, relating to duties and
more particularly imposing an inter-
nal tax on playing cards, of 10 cents
per pack, amended by Rep. Bush to
read 20 cents per pack.
Minister Widemann read memo
randa of the imports of playing cards
showing that 440S dozen packs of an
aggregate value of S52S9.6 81 had
passed the Custom House last year.
Noble Thurston was opposed TO
the passage of the Bill.
Noble Macfarlane was n member
of the committee which had reported
on the bill; they had, as they
thought, good legal advice on the
matter and he was satisfied that it
was in contravention of the treaty
with the United States. The United
States had undoubtedly acted un-
justly with Hawaii, the result of
which action was evident in the in
furious results to the chief industry
of this country. He advocated that
action on the bill be withheld until
something had been done with the
proposed new treaty with the United
States. The levying of an internal
revenue tax is practically tariff i'm
post and any attempt to levy this in
ternal tax is simply whipping the
devil round the stump. If we are
looking for revenue and are willing
to take the chances of breaking our
treaty obligations, let us commence
at the top of the list of those articles
free by treaty and go to the bottom
and levy an impost right along the
line; but he thought it not altogether
outside of the possibilities that If
our case was properly and fairly
represented to the Executive at
Washington, we might get them to
see that we ought at least, in fair
ness, to get some compensation for
the injury to our sugar interests for
the unexpired term of the treaty.
We can afford TO 60 slow in this
matter.
Rep. Bush was in favor of the
passage of the bill; he considered
this talk about breaking treaty with
the United States was only for effect.
He had no doubt of the right to levy
this tax for internal revenue.
Rep. Robert Wilcox did not con-
slider that the measure proposed was
in contravention with any treaty.
Noble Macfarlane was only an OBJ
structionist; he did not bring in any
measures for the good of the country
but did oppose those measures which
were brought by others. This mea-
sure now proposed was for the bene-
fit of the country and not against
even the spirit. of any treaty. One
might as well talk of bringing in the
spirit of Captain Cook as TO present
some of the superannuated ideas now
brought by members.
Rep. Iosepa supported the bill
he did not consider that it was il
opposition to any existing treaty.
Rep. Kaunamano said that there
seemed to be a conflict of opinion
even amongst the most learned law
years in the House regarding thu
legality of the measure. He consi
dered that this was simply an inter
nal revenue tax and the Government
had perfect right to levy it.
Rep. Waipuilani desired to know
the effect of the introduction of ami
mails admitted free of duty and in
stanced the fact that the owners o
dogs have to pay tax of 81. 10
He wished to know whether or no
the Z. S. Government had any ohjec
ton to that tax and if not VIII,
should they to this.
Rep. Kamauoha offered to amen'
so as to exempt cards from tn
United States.
Noble Macfarlane said that woul
have an effect not intended for tn
discrimination in favor of the Unite
States would cause large run O
business in that direction and card
would probably only come from tina
place.
Noble Thurston said that he ha
given his legal opinion that the bill