The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1901-05-14

IN HE Senate convened at 10 o'clock
and the first thing to come up be-
fore that body was a communi.
cation from the Attorney General
In answer to a resolution asking
for his opinion in the matter of re-
ceiving complimentary steamship tick
cts, as follows:
Hon. s. E. Kaiue, President OF the SEN
ate, Territory of Hawaii.
Dear Sir: have the honor to acknowl-
edge receipt Of a copy OF a resolution
passed by your honorable body. dated
May 8, 1901, requesting my opinion as to
whether the acceptance by members of
the first-class passage ticket from steam
ship companies is, or Is not, contrary to
law.
Section 255 Of the Penal Laws Of 1897
provides that: whoever corruptly gives
or promises to any executive, legislative
or judicial officer, or to any master in
chancery, juror, appraiser, referee, arbi-
traitor or umpire, any GIFT, gratuity, SER
vice or benefit, with intent to influence
his vote, judgment, proceeding or mat
ter pending, or that may by law come
or be brought before him in his capacity
as aforesaid, shall be punished by i'm
prisonment at hard labor not more than
two years. or by fine not exceeding five
hundred dollars
Section 256 of the Penal Laws of 1897
provides that: Every executive, legis-
lative, judicial or civil officer. or any
master in chancery, or any person act
ing or summoned as a juror; or any
appraiser, referee, arbitrator or umpire,
who corruptly accepts any gift gratuity,
beneficial service, or act or promise of
either. under an agreement, or with an
understanding that he shall In the exer-
else of any function In his capacity as
aforesaid, VOTE decide, CT act in any par
tla To-,
proceeding or matter pending or that
may by law come or be brought before
him, shall be punished by Imprisonment
at hard labor not more than five years,
or by fine not exceeding one thousand
dollars"
If a steamship ticket is given corruptly
for the purpose, either express or under
stood, of influencing legislation, It is an
offense for which the giver of the ticket
may be punished by Imprisonment at
hard labor not more than two years, or
by fine not exceeding five hundred dol
lars. II such ticket Is accepted corrupt
ly. upon an understanding that its ac-
ceptance Is to influence the legislators
vote. 1t is an offense for which he may be
punished by imprisonment at hard labor
not more than five years. or be fined not
more than one thousand dollars. To
constitute an offense under the law
above quoted, there must be a corrupt
giving or acceptance-that Is, 1t must be
In the nature of bride.
1 have the honor to be, SIR with great
respect, very sincerely yours.
-. p. DOLE,
Attorney General.
The reading of the communication
caused a death-like stiffness to creep
over the House, and some of the mem
bers actually turned pale over the mere
thought, that 1t might be considered
bribery to accept free tickets The
communication was tabled, to be con-
sidered later on. ....
Senator John T. Brown wanted to
reconsider Achis resolution asking for
an opinion from the Attorney General,
whether or not 1t would be legal to
introduce a loan bill or any other acts
that may come, but was very much
chagrined to find out that the clerk
had already sent the resolution.
Senator j. T. Browns reason for
wanting to reconsider the resolution
was to kill 1t, as 1t was the intention
of the Home Rule members to intro
duce other acts, and ask for the Attor-
ney-Generals decision after they were
passed.
xiii time" seems to be the watch
word OF the Home Rulers.
1t seems to be the intention of "Oily
Bill" and few others of his ilk to de-
lay action as long as possible on the
appropriation bill, in order to have the
session last as long as possible. think
ing they might be able, at this late
hour. TO somewhat appease the anger
of their constituents. by trying to work
in a few good" laws.
Senate bill No. 70. an Act making APP
preparations for the departmental use
OF the Government of the Territory OF
Hawaii. and providing for the payment
OF the necessary current expenses OF
carrying on the Government foT e.
succeeding biennial period. was then
introduced by Senator Achi. and re-
christened Senate Bill No. /.
The bill calls for an appropriation OF
1850, 1880. but before the Senate gets
through with II that sum will look like
the proverbiai thirty cents"
An hour was consumed In reading
the bill. and proved 10 be too much for
the Senators. especially "olly" Bill.
whose cracked voice was heard. maxi
ing motion TO adjourn until 10 o'clock
today.
The President called for a show OF
hands on the motion, and declared the
Senate adjourned AZ II a .nl