The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1896-06-23
MINISTER DAMON
IS HOME AGAIN.
Right Royalty Entertained by San
Francisco Merchants.
INTEREST MANIFESTED IN HAWAII
Agreeable Results of the Wine Bill.
Business Men Satisfled-Want the
Coffee Product-Guatemala Lost to
acknowledgements at Dinner.

Among the passengers on the Aus
tralia yesterday was the genial Min
lister of Finance, s. NJ. Damon, who re-
turned after accompanying his wife as
far as San Francisco on her journey
to the East Mr. Damon is the pic
ture of health, and it is evident from
his remarks that he has a warm feel
ing for the people across the sea. He
declined to say anything as to himself
personally, on the ground that he had
been too much before the public prior
to his departure, but he spoke in most
glowing terms of his treatment by the
business and professional people of
San Francisco.
This is the first time" said the
Minister, that 1 have ever had the
honor and pleasure of being received
and entertained by the people there
because 1 was Minister of Finance and
representing the Republic. From the
moment that arrived there 1 was met
by representatives of the press and re-
ceived calls from business and profess
sionaI men who wanted to inquire as
to the future prospects and prosperity
of the islands. And it would surprise
you to know the number of persons in
various walks of life that inquired af
ter the President. The demonstra-
ton impressed me, and l feel sure
that if President Dole should ever visit
the States he will find an ovation
awaiting him in San Francisco"
Did you hear any expression of
opinion regarding the repeal of the
duty on California wines?' was asked.
Eyes! the passage of that wine bill
has brought about the kindliest feel
irgs among the people who, from re-
ports that have been circulated, i'm
agined we were not friendly toward
the people of California. I had the
pleasure of meeting the Vice-Presi-
dent and many of the members of the
California Wine Association, as well
as many individual wine-growers. l
was overwhelmed with attentions
from these gentlemen, because, as they
said, it was not the matter of duty
saved, but the action was an evidence
of the friendly relations on the part of
the people of Hawaii toward those in
California.
Il do not believe" continued AIR.
Damon, there has ever been an Act
passed within three years that has
done so much to cement the ties Of
friendship between the people of Cal
ifornia and ourselves. Those whom L
met, not alone people who are en-
gagged in producing grapes and wine,
but the business men generally, want
ed me to convey to President Dole and
tie Government their warmest express
sions of satisfaction with the measure.
Next to the interest felt in the
wine Act was that shown by people
who wish to embark in coffee. l had
calls every day from men who are in
terested or who wish to become inter
estaed in that enterprise. From re-
marks made by commission men whom
I met L infer they are anxious to con-
because they have lost all the business
of Guatemala on account of the action
of German and English bankers who
have advanced large sums of money
and who monopolize the entire coffee
product exported.
''One dealer in coffee was anxious
for my opinion as to the outlook, and
possibility of securing the trade for
San Francisco l told him, as l did
others, that the best thing for him to
do was to visit the islands and look
over the field for himself. The people
there seem to be greatly interested in
coffee. and 1 think large amount OF
California money will be invested
here in that industry
..One thing 1 wish to speak OF as IL
Illustrating the friendly relations eX-
listing from the people there toward
ia The night before 1 left, Charles
Webb Howard, who had just returned
from visit to the islands, entertained
me at a dinner at the Pacific CLUB as
the Minister of Finance. The table
was surrounded by the leading pro-
fessional men of the city.
'sThe generous remarks regarding
the friendly relations between the TWO
Governments by such men as Horace
Pratt. one of the foremost pollucaI
sneakers on the Pacific Coast; Dr
Stebbins, pastor of the Unitarian
Church; Ex-senator Horace Davis,