The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1898-07-04
THE ACT.
Rapid Transit Bill Goes
to the House.
Non-CorCurrenCe in the House.
Conference Committee
Appointed.
SENATE.

The Commerce Committee reported
on the bill creating a port Of entry
at Palaau, Molokai. Senator's Bald
win and Kepoikai favored the opening
of the port. They reported that it was
the belief of the majority OF the Com
mittee that the general prosperity OF
the country is increased by having
more ports of entry. II would be a
good thing for the country if there
were a line Of steamers running direct
between the coast and the other
islands. This particular port would
be the only one on the Island OF Mo-
lokai.
Senator Schmidt opposed the project
and presented a minority Itport. He
believed more ports of entry meant
more opium smuggled into the coun-
try. He objected to granting any
rights which would create too great
an opposition to home industries. The
majority report was adopted.
The Rapid Transit bill passed unan-
imOusly and was at once sent down to
the House for concurrent action on the
amendments. The reading of the bill
and the discussion on the amendments
which were offered from time to time
occupied an hour and a half and it
was II o'clock when the final vote was
taken. Senator McCandless then moved
to take a recess until 4 o'clock as it
was understood that the House would
meet at o'clock and might ask for a
conference, provided there was a non
concurrence in the amendments. The
majority objected to the o'clock ses-
sion and the Senate adjourned.
Senator Hooking offered several
slight amendments to the wording of
the bill, which were lost. In opposing
them Senator McCandless accused Sen
atOr Hooking of trying to kill the bill.
He explained, somewhat warmly, that
when the Senate adjourned there
would be but two days and two hours
more for securing the action of a Con-
ference Committee and of the House
and the signature of the President on
one of the most important measures
brought before the Legislature the
present session. He asked the Maui
Senator to refrain from offering triv-
ial amendments which would in the
end defeat the wishes Of the majority
Of the residents of Honolulu.
Senator Hooking replied that he was
not trying to kill the bill, but was
endeavoring to make such changes as
would prevent the proposed new COM
pany from securing too great conces-
sions. He said he was working en-
tirely for the interest of Honolulu
An amendment offered by Senator
Brown was adopted, providing that if
permission were granted for crossing
Thomas square the rate of speed
should not exceed two miles an hour.
On motion of Minister Damon the max
imum rate of speed on any portion Of
the line was reduced from fifteen miles
to twelve miles an hour.
An amendment was adopted prOvid-
ing that on each car there should be a
receptacle for letters ard papers to be
delivered at some place des grated by
the Postal Department for delivery at
the post office. Minister Damon and
Senator Brown favored this. The ar
gument used by the Minister Of FL
nance was that such a convenience
would have tendency to build up the
outer districts. If the people could be
assured that their letters would be
sent to the post office it would be an
additional inducement for them to take |
up their residence out of the city.
Senator McCandless objected to COM |
pelling the company to carry the let |
ters free. He said the present Legis-
ature had made a provision for pay |
ing a subsidy for steamers for carry |
ng the mail and there should be con- |
5istency in its action.
An amendment was also adopted to !
prevent an increase in the capital |
stock greater than the amount eXpend |
ed for improvements and extensions |
and 25 per cent additional. Senator |
Brown explained that this was done to !
prevent a watering of the stock, to |
which there was objection, as the pub
ic did not get the benefit of it.
The vote was then taken and the bill
sent to the House.
The report of Senator Lyman was
adopted recommending an amendment
% the law of eminent domain, as sent
rom the House, to include water,
water rights and easements.
At 1910 o'clock the Senate adj
Ourned to Tuesday.