The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1898-03-01

licensing Ine sale. IL Jney WlSleQ II,
then it should be licensed, but he could
not see the force of the MarshaPs argu-
ment that because other evils were IL
censed, this one might be.
The Senator said that there had been
an increase in the use of opium by Ha-
waiians on the two occasions when it
had been licensed. People who had
grown up in the country had seen the
evil effects upon them and this was one
Of the reasons why he opposed its use
under the sanction of a license law to-
day. In his opinion many Hawaiians
who smoked opium became addicted to
its use during the license periods. The
present system, even though there was
a sharing of fines, restricted its use to
Cinnamon and opium fends.
An opium license, the Senator argu-
ed, had a demoraIizing effect upon the
national character. 1t was the same
in the United States under the slavery
system. Many slaves were in better
condition than they were today, but
the effect upon the country was an
evil one.
The Attorney General entered a plea
for a respectful consideration of the
bill. 1t ought not to be dealt with sum-
marily. He was personally opposed to
licensing opium. Every time it had
been licensed its use had increased, es-
pecially among young Cinnamon. If it
was decided to license the sale, the Ii
cense should not be too high. A duty on
opium would tend to regulate its use.
He considered it subject to be con-
sidered with the greatest care. Those
who knew most about it approached it
with the greatest temerity. He said he
hoped the bill would not be rejected on
its first reading.
Senator Wright asked that more time
be given before a final vote was taken.
Senator Waterhouse objected to
Ministerial interference" His objec-
ton was apropos of the Attorney Cen
erals expressed wish that the bill re-
ceive further consideration before it's
final disposition. He cited as an exam
pie of the evil effects of licensing
opium, the Marquesas Islands The
results had been so demoralizing that
it had become necessary to forbid its
use
Senator McCandless struck a note
of warning for the future. In the
event of annexation, which seemed
inevitable, the Islands would come I'M
der United States laws. Did the Legis-
lature propose to let annexation come
upon them with hands down? The
Senate should not blind itself to the
present conditions The Government
seemed powerless to prevent the SNUG.
Cling of opium because of the great
, extent of coast line The already eff.
cient force could not patrol the whole
coast. AS far as preventing Hawaii
ans from securing opium, they coult
! get it now of almost every Chinamar
: at the rice plantations. He was con
WINGED of this from his personal OBJ
servations. The present system o
sharing fines was demoralizing to tn,
police and customs department. TIT
prohibitory system was simply draiI
: OF 100000 year or so for sentiment
There was no revenue in it. He be
) lieved a commission should be appoint
ed to thoroughly investigate the con
ditions
Minister Damon made an eloquen
: argument on the moral phase of tn
y opium question. He considered it hi
Z solemn duty as member of the Gov
L eminent to look into the future an
legislate for all time The struggl
against opium and kindred evil
L should be without cessation If an
L country needed to start on sound prin
L ciples it is Hawaii because Hawaii
weak. There are so many element
here, the civilization is so complex
= that it is much more difficult to main
- tain good government than it is i
~ communities where principles of gov
eminent are well grounded in estat
:, lished institutions. Minister Damo
- said he believed in spending half tn
= revenues of the country in opposin
y opium. He said he would willingly DE-
y vote his life to the moral interests {
the country.
Acknowledgement Smith said tina
the system in Hongkong as he saw
! there made the use of opium more me-
y derate. Here prohibition operated
restrict its use to certain extent. H
observation since 1860 was that licen!
y ing it here would increase the col
/" sumption.
= Senator Schmidt argued from til
i" commercial standpoint. He believe
= that the bushes part of the communit
- should be protected. He knew it to /
% fact that there were houses wher
opium was imported in goods. TIL
= goods were sold at sacrifice prices, an
. the profit made on the opium.
IS The motion to reject the opium bi
r was them put to an aye and no vol
in and was lost, s to 5, Senators Kauhani
le Lyman, Northrup, Waterhouse an
to Rice voting aye; Senators Holsteil
Hooking, Baldwin, Brown, McCandles
ID Schmidt, Wright and Wilcox voting NJ
Of Senator Horner absent and Presider
ID Wilder not voting. The bill was the
,e referred to the Printing Committee.
lie A communication was received fro
N the House announcing the passage
ID the joint resolution of sympathy to Il
lg United States because Of the Maine di
De aster.
it Senator Brown gave notice of his il
v tention of introducing a bill providir
If for the issuing of Royal patents on IL