The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1898-04-01

on a man for his very existence, an I'M
just tax. If we show to the people of
this country that an honest attempt is
being made to readjust the burdens of
taxation, we are bringing the support of
the masses to the Government and an
institution that cannot be overturned or
set aside win result This will do more
than all the military in existence.
My first success along the line of tax
alton was the passage of a law at the
last session, removing the duty from
wines made from pure grape juice The
| Importation of the stronger liquors has
been reduced. Drunkenness had also de-
creased. a purer article is being furnish
ed at a lower rate. 1t is in that posi-
tion-to meet the masses-that l came to
you today.
'"The poll tax history in England dates
back to 1877. 1t was abolished in 1898
An authority on the subject in England
says that the pol ltax was always ex-
tremely unpopular there. 1t was almost
impossible to collect.
Coming to the United States, there are
fourteen States stil under the poll tax
law. Four of these are Northern and
ten Southern States. The poll tax in
some of these has been retained for poll
teal purpose.
In regard to Hawaii, the poll tax was
first instituted in 1916. At that time,
males over 20 years We're made to pay
81, females fifty cents, boys, fifty cents
md girls twenty-five cents. In 1862 men
between Il and GO were made to pay 81.
The question will probably be asked me:
Of you advocate taking away the S7i,
900 derived each year by poll tax, how is
that amount to be made good? BY fresh
taNationg Under the new dispensaton OF
the Land Law, more than that can be taxi
en- out of the earth. If you remove an UNI
just tax, as / consider this poll tax to
be- you are bringing a fresh impetus
toward the consideration of taxation. The
people viii naturally turn toward the
thought of how to raise the revenues OF
the country"
Rep Kaai favored the bill After he
had made a few remarks, the Speaker
announced mo quorum" When the ne,
cessary members returned from the hall
SptdhtI tNauluhpu NtilSulNu NilSNi StNOlNlN
for showing such scant courtesy as to
go from the room while n member was
speaking.
Speaker Kaulukou asked, on account Of
illness, which he plainly showed, to be
excused during the afternoon session
This was readily granted.
House took a recess at u m.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
Rep. Kaai as Speaker pro tenn called
Rep. Pogue to the chair, while he fin
} ishod his talk on the matter. He thel
: returned to the chair. Rep. Atkinson ask
e ed for postponement of consideration un
: til May I'd. He was in favor of the bill
= but he believed it should be thoroughly
d aired. Rep. Gear spoke for the commit
= tee. The tax law as it stood was mos
+ unjust Was it a good thing to begi
with the least unjust law and leave tn
: others? Manifestly not. He believed tha
a learned lawyers should be employed an
d paid well for revision of the ia
d laws. He seconded the motion to postpon
consideration. The motion was put an
: carried.
n Reorganization of Senate Act s. apprc
: priations for salaries and pay roll
brought up for consideration. The item
n were referred to various committees.
L House adjourned at 2:45 p M