The Honolulu republican. [volume] (Honolulu, T.H.) 1900-1902, 1901-12-04
Mr.. ReekIer Makes Reply.

To the Editor Of the Republican:
Sir: In your issue OF this
morning you published what purpOrts
TO be the final report OF Rev. W. ID.
WesteTVeit. as chairman of the Com
mittee on Legislation" 70 the Protec-
tive League of Honolulu. in the course
OF which / note that he says: Con
sultetion with Mr.. Baird. United
States District Attorney. resulted in
the preparation OF two bills. one for
the suppression of vice and the other
raising the age of consent, which IN
this Territory is paced at the dis
graceful low age of fourteen
Both OF these bills were introduced
into the House of Representatives by
John Emmeluth and referred to the
committee of which Mr.. Beekley was
chairman and there shelved.' In the
first place | would like to state that
no such bills as referred to above were
ever introduced in the House of Rep
resentatives by Rep. ]. Emmeluth as
stated by Mr.. WesterYelt and as the
Journal OF the House shows; nor did
the latter act in particular on the
age OF consent" ever reach the no
tice of that body thrsugh any other
channel
If Mr.. Westeryelt had paid close at
tention 10 his selfimposed duties as
lobbyist and exerter of the ''infiu-
ences" he speaks of, instead OF obtain
ing his information around the back
doors of. the legislative halls, he GER
tainly would have observed that Rep
resentatives Dickey and Hihio. both
from my own district, introduced sew
eral bills relative to the suppression
of vice" But as the provisions did
not meet the general approval of the
committee of which | had the honor
10 be the chairman, | offered sub
stitute covering the most essential
points of the others and known as
House Bill No. IS. AN Act Defining
and Fixing the Penalty for Pimps and
Procurers. and Owners and Keepers
of Disorderly Houses" Unfortunate
ly it did not pass our House for want
Of time
Either Mr.. Westeryelt was confused
in his ideas on the disposition of his
pet bills. which | believe is more like
ly the case; or else his statements
were a deliberate attempt to discredit
and besmi.ch my character, a propo-
sition / would hardly likely to credit
the ministerial gentleman with.
did not go into politics for ''bocdle"
or personal motives but purely and
simply to defend and safeguard the
interests of the people of Hawaii mel,
a duty | considered in honor bound to
do as one who perhaps was better
informed than some of my country
men. as against the eneroachments
and aggressions of party affiliations.
family compacts. political aspirations
and generally reputed Western civiliz-
alton. Any legislative measure look
ing toward the uplifting of the morals
OF our community has always hereto
fore and viii always in the future
find in me a staunch supporter. The
late legislature has been accused of
being the most corrupt and bad gen
orally that has been seen for many
a day.. but for a ministerial union to
assume to place the blame upon a
committee of the House of Represen-
tatives as an excuse for the existence
OF the late infamous hovei known as
the "Iwilei Corral" which was direct
~ under the official eyes and sanction
of the Executive, puts all the other
accusations in the shade
F. W. BECKLEY
Honolulu. Dec. Sd. 1901.