The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1896-03-30
ion referred to the Judiciary Commit

just recently passed an Act which dis
tinctly defines the beginning and end
ing of the biennial fiscal period. This
was done TO avoid all uncertainty, and
to set at rest all such questions as the
one which has just arisen. Hasn't the
matter been settled yet? Have we two
biennial fiscal periods? If We want &c
do as the resolution introduced pro-
poses we had better amend the Con-
stitution first. Then We can do some
thing, and not until then. We can
settle the matter right now, and l move
the resolution be laid on the table.
Senator Lyman-The new period be-
gins on January LIST, and l cannot see
how the money can be paid according to
that
Upon being put to vote the resolution
was laid on the table.
Senator Holstein read his amend
ments to Sections and 3, Act 81 Of
the Provisional Government, relating
to the manufacture of wine from grapes
of Hawaiian growth. Referred to the
Printing Committee.
Senator Hooking read his bill intro
ducing certain amendments TO the law
governing patents. Referred TO the
Printing Committee.
Registration bill was taken up in sec
Ond reading on the order OF the day.
Senator Brown moved that the first
section pass. When the matter of reg
istration was first brought up it had
been referred to a joint committee
consisting of three members from each
branch of the Legislature. After much
discussion the bill was drafted and sub
mitted to the lower branch. The his
tory of the bill and reasons for it's pass
age were dwelt upon at length.
Minister Damon moved that the first
section of the bill be indefinitely post
poned. Situated as the island were, in
the midst of the ocean, representatives
of every nation under the sun came to
these shores. Up to the present time
there had been harmony among the ma
lions here. The nationalities against
which the law was directed especially
had done more for the country than any
other nationality. They had proven
themselves valuable in that they mate
rally added to the wealth of the coun-
try. The tax returns, the returns from
the sugar, rice and other industries, all
bore witness to their work. No good
could come from class legislation, and
the country would be hurt by it. The
line had been passed where one could
say, Thus far and no farther" 1t was
not in the interests of Hawaii to have
class distinction and say that the mi
nority shall use the majority simply as
a working machine and not allow them
a fair standing. The passage of the
Act would simply be giving the large
corporations and large institutions
a whip-handle and power to bind and
control the freedom of individuals.
The country should progress as fast as
possible, but this could not be carried
out if the wealthy classes were to be
given the upper hand of the poor. The
safety of the Republic depended upon
it's freedom.
Minister Cooper said that one of the
strongest arguments that had been
brought forth in favor of the passage of
the bill was that it would tend to in
crease the revenue of the country. The
argument was we'll founded. To him
the Act could not help but bring up
feeling Of repugnance, and if the re-
quirements could be secured in any
other way than by the passage of the
bill, he was very much in favor of such
a line of action. One way to accomplish
this was by the amendment of the tax
more complete tax returns.
Senator Rice said that he was in
favor of Indefinitely postponing the
first section, and with it all the rest
of the bill. He did not feel that it was
a good measure to place such restric-
ton on the people. 1t had always been
sought to encourage tourist travel to
these shores, but if any such law as the
proposed one should be passed it would
act as damper on this class of travel
was a relapsing into the oiden TINES, |
when mans liberties were curtailed |
He could not swallow the bill whole.
Senator McCandless saw no curtail- |
ing of the liberties Of men in the bill !
proposed. 1t was nothing more nor less |
than an attempt to keep track OF the |
people in the country. Aside from the |
very desirable feature of increasing the |
tax returns of the country, it would be
a help to the police authorities in the |
detection of crime.
Minister Damon said that the popula-
ton OF the country in 1893 was about |
95, 1000 Since that time a large number /
had been added to the list. According |
to the tax books, AZ, 900 out of the $4,000 |
mentioned had paid their taxes. This
was by no means a bad showing, and
there could not be very great number
who had not paid their taxes.
Senator Brown was sure that the
adoption of the bill would result in
great good to the country. Among other
things, it would add about $4,000 to
the revenue of the country, and that
was by no means a sum to be laugh
ed at.
Minister Smith made a long speech
in which he introduced the same argu-
ments brought out in the House few
days ago when the bill was under con-
sideration there. The country was con-
fronted with condition and not a the
Dry. Matters had come to such a pass
that something would have to be done.
There was danger OF the community