The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1898-06-03
Spirit Of a Strong Letter on the
Opium Bill.
ATTORNEY GENERAL SMITH
Reviews Some of the Troubles Of
the Past-Present Difficulties.
Smuggling-Tria Advised.

Mr. EDITOR:-There seems to be
some misapprehension in regard to
the objects and provisions OF the Bill
now before the Legislature relating
10 opium.
The bill was introduced by Special
Committee after much consideration
with q view 10 restricting the use of
opium. and preventing il spreading.
Il is not al all measure to license
the general sale Of opium.
The facts are briefly these:
For forty years opium has been
used in this country by Chinese. and
great efforts have been made 70 pre-
vent it. At three different times since
1860 a law was passed authorizing the
granting Of a license for the sale OF
opium. These laws permitted the
holder Of the license TO sell opium
generally. Each trial Of the plan, ex-
tended the use of opium among Ha-
waiians as well as Chinese and added
10 the evil
For the past ten years the sale Of
opium. except by physicians and sole
" for medical purposes, has been pro-
hibited by law. Severe penalties are
prescribed for those who import or
sell opium; and persistent and deter
mined efforts have been made TO en-
force the law. The result has been al
though the amount consumed has been
less than when the licenses were in
force, the use of the drug is steadily
increasing. The profits from snug
Cling and dealing in opium have been
so large that il has been a great temp
Iation TO persons 10 engage in its in
PRODUCTION and a constant source OF
corruption Many Customs and Police
Officers have been ruined, and many
merchants and citizens have engaged
in the business.
The profits TO the smugglers, and &c
the dealers, have been so great thai
many persons who had not been ad-
dicted TO the use of opium have beer
induced 10 try il so as TO increase the
demand Places where opium can be
bought and smoked exist all over the
country.
Fortunately its use under prohibi-
ton. has been confined mainly TO the
Chinese. But among them the con
sumption is increasing.
Every one who has knowledge Of th'
facts knows that the Chinese who havt
acquired the opium habit viii obtail
opium by some means or other. When
ever the supply has been limited price
have advanced. and smuggling hat
been stimulated.
The proposed bill provides for TIL
establishment Of a Board Of three gov
eminent officials in each district, con
sisring Of the Government Physician
District Magistrate and Sheriff 70
Deputy Sheriff who are authorized I
register the names of all confirme'
users OF opium in the district, and L
furnish such persons with opium il
stated quantities al stated intervals
and al q price very little above cost
Not every applicant can be register
ed. but only those whom the member
OF the Board are satisfied are alread
confirmed in the habit. Each perso
whose name is registered is TO be give
q written permit signed by all tire
members OF the Board before he vii
be entitled 10 obtain the opium. Grant
ing such permits is discretionary wit
The Board. The whole matter is I
be subject TO the control of the Boar
OF Health.
The promoters of the bill hope tina
the plan can be successfully and hon
estly carried out with the result tha
such a proportion of those who habit
uaIly use opium will register and oh
tain their supplies from the Opiur
Board. that the market for smuggle
opium viii practically be lost.
II this should result, the gain 10 tn
public would be great. 1t would praC
tically confne the use or the drug [
those who have already acquired tn
habit and reduce very much the temp
ratiOn 20 others 10 acquire il.
The opium 10 be given TO each re
gistered person is TO be given daily G
Sc r4a14 t4l44CS q CChs anu IL QAGAAAt
only sufficient for his own use.
Il by reason of the quality and lo1
price OF the opium 1t can be mad
greatly for the users interest to OF
tain his opium from the Board. he wi
not pauonize the high priced SNUG
gled article.
Under the former license laws tn
cost Of the license, duty. incidental eS
penses and dealers profit, in additio
10 the original cost Of the opium, mad
The selling price so high that SNUG
Cling was still profitable. Moreovel
in order TO make profits. the holde
Of the license used every effor
through agents and otherwise, to il
ducs persons 10 use opium
II the law should go into effect an
the managers Of plantations, and othe
employers Of laborers, should cooper
ate with the Boards TO induce the COZ
Hrmed opium users to register an
avail themselves of the benefits of Ii
Law. q fair trial could be made. II tt
results were unsatisfactory, and Ii
objects sought were not attained,
souId be abandoned.
~ hfFi & RI ~