The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1895-07-15
House Judiciary Committee Recon-.
mends Extension of Licenses.
NOT RENEWABLE BY LEGIsLATURr
Liquor Dealers Suffered Loss Through
ClOsiDG-Must Take Same Chances as
Merchants in Other Lines-HnO Eleo-
tric Light Bill Passes Third Reading.
TWENTY. FIFTH DAY, July 18TH.


After prayer by the Chaplain and
reading of minutes, the Judiciary
Committee through Rep. Kaeo pre-
sented the following report on the pc
tition OF saloon keepers for rebate Of
license:
"Your Judiciary Committe to whom
was referred the petition of certain
vendors of spirituous liquors of Homo
lulu praying for compensation for
losses sustained during the time of
martial law which existed from Jan
uary 9TH to March 18th, 1895, beg
leave to report as follows:
"Your committee finds that on Jan
uary 9TH the several saloons in this
city were closed by order of the Mar
shall for an indefinite time and forbid
den from selling liquor.
"That on January 30th the saloons
were permitted to open with certain
restrictions as to hours, as to the kind
of liquor to be sold, ETC., and also by
paying a special police guard.
''That on March 18th all restrictions
were removed.
"That during the period from Janu-
airy 9TH to March 18th the saloons
were at considerable expense for IL
cense fees, rent, wages and ice, besides
the loss of business.
"That during the said period from
January 9TH to March 18th the holders
of dealers spirit licenses were al
lowed to sell liquor upon permits from
the MarshaPs office; many of said
permits your committee find were
merely stamped with rubber stamp
and bear no signature.
'That during part of said period
said holders of dealers licenses were
allowed to sell liquor in smaller guam
titles than their licenses strictly per
nit, thus doing business for which the
saloon keepers are compelled to pay
license although they were forbidden
the privilege of doing business.
"That when the saloons were opened
and restricted to the sale of beer, the
dealers were allowed to sell strong
liquor.
"That while the saloons were re-
stricted to the sale of liquor to be
drank only on the premises, the deal
ers were allowed to deliver large
quantities about town.
''That six holders of Dealers licenses
from January 9TH to 30th, the period
during which the saloons were entire
Iy closed, sold about $4,000 worth of
liquor, exclusive of what was shipped
by them to the other islands.
"YOur committee also find that by
the terms OF the saloon licenses the
right is reserved to close the saloons on
election days at the request of the
Marshal and on other occasions at the
request of the Minister of the Inter
ior.
"Your committee are of the opinion
that the action of the Executive in
closing the saloons and subsequently
oil 1lox NO fn
conditions is not Renewable by the
Legislature. They are also of the
opinion that by the strict rules of law
the saloon-keepers have no redress in
the courts. But they do believe that
the petitioners have suffered an in
Justice that deserves the consideration
of the Legislature.
"They therefore submit herewith q
bill extending the existing retail
spirit licenses for a period of two
months each without charge to the
licensees.
"Your committee are not unmind-
full that the liquor business is of an
extraordinary and, in a sense, q
dangerous character; that those who
engage in it take certain risks that
other business men are not called
upon to take; that the closing of
saloons during the period of excite
menC was LOT the De0eHG OF Jne WnOle
community, including the proprietors
of the saloons, and that other lines of
business suffered more or less. But
in view of all the circumstances your
committee feel that the petitioners
have suffered beyond their share and
that the passage of the bill recon-
mended would be no more than just.
Report was signed by full commit
tee, consisting of Reps. Robertson,
Kaeo and KamauOha Laid on table
for consideration with bill.
A resolution was introduced by
Rep. Hauuna to au' horize payment to
the ADVERTISER for papers furnished
at the rate of cents a copy. The
clerk was instructed to settle for only
such papers as the members ordered.
With this amendment the resolution
was adopted.
The HiIO Electric Light bill passed
third reading without opposition,
twelve votes being cast in the affirm
ative MessTs. Robertson, Rycroft
and McBryde were absent.
Act 16, regulating appeals from
district courts to circuit judges of
second, third, fourth and fifth cir
cults, was read first time by title and
to Judiciary Com nittee.
Adjourned till 10 o'clock Monday