The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1893-01-17

the request OF a number Of the cltl-
zens Of Honolulu the Chamber of
Commerce of this city has author
lied the undersigned to give you
for publication. their action on the
Lottery Act while before the Ha-
waiian Legislature, as well as a sy-
nopsis Of their memorial TO Her
Majesty after its final passage, but
before its approval by her. Very
truly yours,
}. b. ATHERToN.
Secretary Honolulu Chamber of
Commerce.
Honolulu, January IS, 1898.
Resolution presented and unani-
mously passed at the annual meeting
of the Honolulu Chamber of Com
merce, August 3lst, 1892.
Whereas, this Chamber has noticed
with much concern that an Act has
been introduced into the Legislature
TO establish and maintain a lottery in
this Kingdom; and
Whereas, a petition is being circu-
lated favOring the passage Of such an
Act, and the inducements held out
are calculated and intended to tempt
the members of the Legislature to
overlook the higher interests of the
community, and TO bring the Gov
eminent under the influence of an or
ganiZatiOn alien in origin and al
together selfish in its character and
cOrrupting in its influence; and
Whereas, the lottery as conducted
in other countries, and as it would be
conducted here, has been condemned
10y those governments and cOmmuni-
ties to which the Hawaiian Govern
ment and people look as most friendly
and most interested in their welfare;
and
Whereas, the moral and political
effect of lottery established as pro-
posed would undoubtedly be damag
ing, if not fatal, therefore
Be it Resolved, That this Chamber
hereby eXpressesits decided disapprov-
al of said Act, as being opposed to the
best interests of this country, and re-
spectfully request the Legislature to
express its opposition to it in such
terms as shall leave no doubt as to its
regard for the important interests
committed to its care.
Sent to the President of the Leg
islature and read to its members.
At a special meeting of the
Chamber of Commerce held on the
18th inst. the following statement
was read and approved by the
Chamber:
"Much to the amazement and dis
gust OF every decent inhabitant of the
Islands, the infamous Lot
terry bill has passed the third reading,
aud is thus awaiting Her Majesty's
signature in order to become q law. 1t
is to be hoped, however, that Her Ma
iesty will be wise enough to reject
this bill which surely can only act in
the most injurious manner for the
country.
EVERY civilized country is trying
to get rid of the lottery franchises
which have been granted in former
years, for experience has taught them
that nothing works more demOraliZ-
ing than gambling. The United States
have only lately been able to with
draw the franchise given for lotteries,
and it has cost them millions to do so.
They are proud of their final success,
for they are sure that it is a great and
most important step in favor of the
welfare of the people. Now, if Ha-
waii were to offer Il home to those
professional gamblers that have just
been driven out from the States, would
it not be the same as if we were shell
tering the burglar who has robbed our
great and kind neighbor, whom we
depend on so much, and from whose
kindness and great power we still eX-
pect so many great favOrs.
sit would not only be a wrong, it
would also be very unwise indeed, if
this bill were accepted. The United
States could not help to feel insulted
by our doing SO, whereas on the other
hand, if Her Majesty puts in her veto
and rejects the bill, her friends at
Washington would greatly increase
in number, and the whole world
would look at her with the highest
respect for rejecting this Lottery BILL"
After which memorial to Her
Majesty was presented, approved,
and copy Of the same was pre-
sented to her by q committee ap-
pointed for the purpose. A synop-
sis of the memorial follows:
The passage by the Legislature of
the lottery bill was a surprise to the
community. Its probable effects upon
the peace and prosperity of this King
dom cannot be contemplated without
grave fears for the future.
The experience of the nations upon
whose systems the government of
Hawaii is based has shown that the
existence of lotteries is inconsistent
with the well-being and prosperity of
the people and destructive to moral
and intellectual advance. As a result
of such experience, lotteries are for
hidden and made unlawful.
The history of the lottery in Louisi-
ana, its effects on the people and gov
eminent of the people of that State
was plainly STAGED, and the cost to
the people of that State as well as the
whole United States to secure its
adjustment.
The probable effects of the lottery
on the people OF this Kingdom if al
lowed to become law was also clearly
presented.
1t was shown that it is of the high
est Importance to our agricultural and
commercial prosperity, to the general
well-being of our people, that existing
treaty relations with the United
States should be so revised that the
the Mckinley Bill be neutralized and
minimized. 1t was also shown that
the United States was cordially will
in tn n Ia fn no