The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1900-04-17
THE LIQUOR
QUESTION
Opinions of Prominent
| People.
Jan IMPORTANT MATTER
Congressional Action Causes Surprise
to Many in Honolulu - Here a.
Elsewhere Good People Differ.

News of a prohibition clause in the
bill was a surprise in Homo
lulu. To the liquor interests it was a
In other circles ii was va
riously commented on. All over town
il was the general topic Of discussion
yesterday. During the morning the
Liquor Dealers Protective Associa-
ton, which includes all the wholesal-
ers, retailers and jobbers, held a meet
ing at the Office Of Macfarlane & Co.
Most of the time was occupied by gen
eral discussion Of the clause, Of its ef-
fects IL it should become law, and OF
the best way to fight it. No definite
action was taken. The feeling among
those present was that but little could
be done from this end OF the line. The
efforts to defeat the measure will prob
ably come from the wine and beer In
terests Of the United States. The Amer
lean breweries, for example. are pow
erful, and practically all the beer con-
sumed here comes from the United
States. 1t will be enough of an object
to the brewers to cause them to move
with energy in the matter. This meet
ing of the Liquor Dealers Protective
Association was we'll attended, and the
members threshed over the matter
pretty thoroughly, including the mo-
tive causes of the amendment, and list
ened to letters that individual men,
bers had received bearing on the sub
ject.
1t is understood that a memorial on
the whole local situation will be sent
on to Washington. Different speakers
said: The liquor question has been
discussed and legislated upon at every
single legislature for years past. 1t
has been dealt with wisely. The result
is that the liquor laws here are excel
lent, neither lax nor foolishly severe,
and that they are enforced. 1t is only
quite recently, by the way, that the
light wine and beer license has been
operative. Practically everyone is sat
isfied with the liquor laws as they are
now, including the clergymen; and the
manner of carrying them out is free
from corruption. The licenses are re-
stricted to thirteen for this city, seven
teen for the group. at thousand and
twenty dollars each. The restrictions
and fines are both severe; and the
whole liquor business Is working so
well that it is a great mistake to med
die with 1t. The memorial will call
attention to most OF these points.
1T Is perfectly well-known fact
that prohibition does not prohibit. 1t
is easier to get a drink or q gallon in
Maine than in most; States. Also, I'M
der prohibition, impure liquors are
sold more often than good, and a
great amount Of corruption comes in
evitably In It's train. IL Is felt by
practically everyone in Honolulu that
this is a matter which ought to be left
to local regulation. We have the right
to decide for ourselves whether or not
liquors should be sold, and how and
when and where. Or rather, moi
whether they shall be sold at all, fol
that is inevitable, no matter what blue
laws are put into force; but whethel
they shall be sold under proper aus
pieces"
Interviews have been secured by tn,
Advertiser with a number of leadin,
citizens who look at the matter from
differing standpoints. and whose opin
ions are entitled to respect on account
of their position in the community:
What W. r. Castle Says.
w. r. Castle thought the measur,
providing that no liquor should be soil
in saloons in Hawaii would not be il
the bill as 1t would be finally passed
1t was put in there for political effect
A great many Congressman are glad t
appear to do things and to favor action
which will please their constituents
| When they can support a measur
without running any risk that il vii
pass, and thereby make capital 70
themselves, they are glad to do 1t.
In the present case the people to
pleased are the Women's Christian
Temperance Union. and the constit
uents of some OF these Congressmer
Mr.. Castle did not think there wa
much danger that either this clause o
the one ordering the $4,000 Japanes
sent back, would get through the con
ference. Some Congressman voted 70
II for the reason suggested above, an
others because they thought IL would b
a good thing-actually believed In Il
II bill were introduced into the Hous
to prohibit the sale OF liquor in saloon
in Kansas. or New Mexico. or som
other part OF the mainland OF tn
United States Il would stand no show {
passing; but there are many Congress
men whose ignorance of conditions on
here prompts them to imagine that tn
Is a new country on which any sort {
l
wouldn't try 1t on one OF the state
but they are entirely willing to make
J glorious example of US. Probably mos
OF the Congressman who voted for III
measure did so in perfect confidenC
that IL would not survive the conferenC
between the Senate and the House con
mittees-and the same way with III
clause about the Japanese. A sort {
game Of bluff. you might say. Possibl
IL would not have been done except fc
the fact that this Is election year. ]
short, Mr.. Castle considered the matte
of exceedingly little consequence. tn
ignorance of things Hawaiian display
ed by Congressman was amazing.
seems to require a visit TO these Is
ands before an American. no matter
he be well read. can know much OF an
thing about Hawaii or Its people. tt
members of Congress seem TO regar
this as a new country which has got
be regulated and provided for from n
foundation-an uncivilized country
short; and to this ignorance We mu'