The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1896-05-30
SESSION DRAWS
TO BUSY CLOSE.
Minister Cooper Declines to
Answer Questions.
HOUSE OBJECTS TO LETTER.
Wine Bill Passes Second Reading-Cur-
rent Receipts Bill - License Act
Passes Senate-Relief to 14epers on
MoIoka1 - improvements Ordered.
Eighty-seventh Day.
FRIDAY, May 20.

| After the opening preliminarieS, Min
lister Cooper made the following reply
to Senator Holstein's questions:
| Question 1. Does the Executive con-
template amending the Tariff Act OF
| 1892 in relation to an increase of duty
on vines or fermented drinks, where
by sake would have to pay heavier
duty? Answer-No.
Question 2. If so, would the proposed
amendment be brought in this session
Answered by the answer to Question L.
Question 3. Would you furnish the
Senate with copies of the treaty be-
tween Hawaii and Japan? Copies of
the treaty have been distributed among
the Senators.
Question 4. Are there any provisions
in the said treaty which prohibit this
Government from increasing the duty
on sake? Answer-The treaty provides
that the same privileges be granted to
the citizens Of Japan as are granted to
citizens or subjects Of other nations;
that they shall pay at all times such
duties and taxes as may be eXacted from
citizens or subjects of other nations.
There is nothing to prohibit the passing
OF q law to increase the duty on sake,
provided that it be a general law af-
fecting, all liquor of a similar character
but a law which should single out sake
and discriminate against that liquor
WOulI not be in conformity with the
provisions of the treaty.
To answer the questions put by SEN
ator WaterhOuse regarding claims
~,
Minister replied:
ITO answer the questions propOunded
by Senator Waterhouse on the 28th
instant would require the discussion of
subjects now under consideration by
the Department, for which reason l beg
to be allowed to decline to answer the
questions prOpOunded.'
The Miscellaneous Committee report
ed favorabIy on the wide tire bill.
Senator Baldwin made a favorable
verbal report on the wine bill.
Senator McCandless presented a ma
jOrity report in favor of the income
tax bill.
On ruling by the chair the motion
to reconsider the physicians bill was
entertained and the bill passed the
final reading.
I1OuSG DIIl mo. n, CI6dJllB dH E8GCu-
tive Department of Education, passed
the third reading.
Senate bill No. 48, to exempt certain
wines from import duty, came up on
the third reading.
Senator Brown asked if the term of
one years notice was to conform with
the Denmark treaty.
Minister Damon said this was one
reason; also after the first of January
the treasury would be in a better con-
dition to stand the loss resulting from
the decrease in duties.
Senator Brown-Under the treaty
with Denmark the Government is oblig-
ed to give a years notice?
Minister Damon-Yes, sir.
No further questions arising. the ayes
and noes were called on the final pas
sage. Senators Lyman and Waterhouse
were the only ones voting against the
measure. The bill passed.
Under suspension of the rules, Sen
atOr Lyman submitted the report of the
conference committee on the internal
tax bill. The report showed nearly all
the sections stricken out by the House
retained. The report was accepted,
which passes the bill
Senator Waterhouse presented the re-
port of the conference committee on the
license bill.
Senator HOlstein said he would have
brought in minority report on the
milk and boarding house licenses if he