The Hawaiian gazette., 1898-04-12

Rep. Achi propounded the following
Questions to the Minister of the Inte-
rior:
1. Since the death of R. w. Meyers,
has extra work been placed upon Chas.
Wilcox, secretary of the Board ,of
Health, and c. B. Reynolds, agent of
that same body?
?. For the performance of that ex-
ira work, has Mr.. Reynolds been given
additional pay?
3. Please state if, during the last
two years, Mr.. Passenger made a trip
ID the United States, also, how long
was he absent?
4. Please state if, during the last
two years, Mr.. Hassinger has been alb
sent from his office in the Interior
Department on account of illness. If
so, how long?
5. Who performed Mr.. Hassinger's
duties during his absence?
6. Has such a substitute been paid,
is it the intention to pay him, or is
it the intention to provide for him in
the same manner as Mr.. Stackable of
the Finance Department.
Third reading of House Bin ~, re-
lating to the duty on sake.
Rep. Gear, as a member of the Fin
ance Committee, spoke at some length
on the injurious effect of sake on the
native Hawaiians He had spoken to
three chemists of the city on the anay-
sis referred to by Rep. Robertson when
the bill was up before and had found
that this was all right as far as it
went. Rep. Robertson had said that
the analysis showed nothing deleteri
Gus in sake. The process had not been
carried far enough. The alkaloids had
not been separated and it was there
fore impossible to separate the active
principle which is supposed TO come
from a seaweed used in the prepar-
alton of sake. Undoubtedly there was
something in the liquor that had bad
effect on the people using it. The jap
anese were in the habit of drinking
their sake hot. This destroyed the de-
leterious effect of the liquor. Natives
were in the habit of drinking it cold.
In this state it was dangerous.
Rep Achi asked why the previous
speaker found it necessary to expatiate
on the evils of sake. He could say the
same thing about lot of whiskey and
gin imported into the country.
Rep. Robertson said that the Fin
ance Commute was coming to feel that
its report to Indefinitely postpone the
bill had been rather weak. Since the
second reading the members had been
skirmishing about for arguments to
support that report. The arguments
just put forth by Rep. Gear had not
been TO the support of the bill, but
rather to, if possible, break down the
arguments of the friends of the meas
ure. The liquor men of the city had
told him that a great mistake had
been made when the duty on sake was
raised to one dollar. They also ad-
mitted that reduction of fifty cents
would not reduce the sale of California
wines. Rep. Robertson then moved to
amend the bill, changing IA to II per
cent of alcohol in both lines and 6
so that the part should read: THAT
all spirituous liquors, all stil wines
and other beverages made from mate
rials other than grape juice when i'm
ported into the Hawaiian Islands shall,
| if containing per cent. and not more
than IT per cent. Of alcohol, be sub
ject TO pay duty of so cents per gal
Ion; if containing more than IT and
not more than q per cent. of alcohol,
shall be subject to pay duty of one
dollar per gallon; if containing more
than q per cent. of alcohol, such liquor
shall be subject 10 the duty by law
provided for spirits of like grade. y
Rep. Robertson further moved to
amend by striking out that part men
tioning sake explicitly. The first am
endment he had made would cover the
admission of sake at 60 cents. There
would be no cause for complaint OF
discrimination.
Minister Damon heartily seconded
dropping out Of the part of the bill
mentioning sake, was an act of states
manship.
Rep. Richards said that the bill rails
ing the duty on sake to one dollar had
made a great many friends among the
wine growers in California who had
been supporters of annexation. To pas!
the bill was to aim a blow at annex
lation.
Rep. Paris stated it as his opinion
that the native Hawaiians should moi
be specially mentioned in discussions
1t looked too much like class legisla-
ton. The laws should be made for the
good of all classes.
The amended bill passed third read
ing by vote of 10 to 8.
Third reading and passage of House
Bill 35, relating to the limit of time
within which claims against the estate
of deceased persons.
House Bill so, relating to the impor-
tation and sale of opium, read second
time and passed.
Third reading of House Bill 62, re
lating to smoking of tobacco by chill
dren under certain age. The bill fail
ed to pass on vote of 6 to Z.
The matter of the proposed visit Of
the representatives to the various pub
lie institutions of the city was post
lponed until later date and Reps. Isen
berg and Kaai were appointed TO lool
further into the matter.
At 1915 p. m. House took recess
AFTERNOON SESSION.
Rep. Richards announced for the
Committee on Passed Bills, transmits
sio,, RI tho president for cOnSidnrat flor