The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1901-03-21
TO THE MINISTER UNION
REPLY TO QUESTIONS SENT OUT
RECENTLY.
w. o. Smith Tells the History of
Legislation on the Subject and Elk
presses Views on the Subject

cially with relation to IWilei. The in
vitation expressed the hope that some
practical benefit might result from the
recent publicity given the subject.
This invitation has been responded to
by many. Among these has been W.
.. Smith whose reply to the questions
asked, addressed to Rev. William M
Kincaid, chairman of the Executive
committee, is here given:
In reply to the communication of
yourself and others, on behalf of the
Ministerial Union relative to the social
evil as it exists in Honolulu. / win
endeavor to answer the questions sub
mitted.
LIST. VIII you kindly state rea sous for
or against the continuance Of Iwilei2
Answer:
The restricting Of prostitutes tn the
locality, in Honolulu known as Iwilei,
has been accomplished under the pr1vi-
sions of a statute entitled. AN Act 10
Mitigate the Evils and Disalsc Sos arising
from Prostitution"
This Act was passed by the Legisla-
ture in 1860 The preamble of the Act
states the reasons for and object of tile
measure as follows: Whereas the
evils and diseases arising from PROS
titution are wide spread and apparent
carrying death to thousands o. the Ha-
waiian race, and preventing the in
crease of the population; and IL being
impossible to suppress and crush out
prostitution; but that it's evils and
diseases may be combated, circum-
scribed and diminished 80 ana tnen
the provisions of the Act are set forth
in six sections, as follows:
Section l. Every common prostitute
in and around the City OF Honolulu
shall register with the sheriff of the
Island of oahu her name. place of resi-
dence, place of birth and age
.
common prostitutes, who shall ran 10
cause themselves to be registered uc-
cording to section LIST, shah on com
plant and conviction before the PoGce
Magistrate of Honolulu be impri son ed
for not less than thirty nor more than
sixty days, and be subject to the rules
of such place of confinement.
Section 3. Such females. Registered
as above, shall attend and be exa-
mined by physician to be appointed
by the Minister of the Interior, at least
once in every two weeks, at some con-
venient place, of which public notice
shall be given, and if found diseased,
such females shall be treated free Of
charge for such disease, subject tc such
regulations and restriction as may b.
! prescribed by the said physician.
Section 4. Any female registered as
above who shall not attend for eXa-
minationsNas above provided, or who
shall not obey the prescriptions of the
physician, upon information thereof to
| the sheriff, such female may be sum-
marily imprisoned for not less than
thirty nor more than sixty days: Pro-
Vided, that nothing herein contained
| shall imply that any female free from
| disease so registered, may not at any
time forsake prostitution, have her
name erased from the registry, and nc
longer remain under the provisions OF
this section.
Section 5. The physician appointed
as above shall be paid such reasonable
conversation as may be determined by
the Minister of the Interior, out or the
funds appropriated from time to time
| by the Legislature to be expended un-
| der this Act.
Section 6. The sheriff OF Oahu shall
be charged with the execution of thi.
law, and shall be further empowered t
establish such police regulations for the
better carrying into effect the objec
contemplated by this law, as he may
deem requisite, subject to the approva
of the Minister of the Interior; and i
shall be his duty to render quarterly
report of all matters connected with thu
execution of this law to the Minister o
the Interior, and bi-ennially through
the said Minister to the Legislature.
Later. by an Act approved Novembe
II, 1892, the duty of executing the Law
was given to the Board of Health. 9Th
law is known as the "Act to Mitigate
In every large community, and es
pecially in seaport towns, the "socia
evil' is difficult subject to deal with
Before and at the time of the enact
ment of the Act to Mitigate physi
clans and public officers in Honolulu
were much perplexed to know wha
course to pursue in the matter. In spit
of the strict laws forbidding fornica
| nd vac n 90
we're penalties for their violation; an
Notwithstanding earnest efforts to en-
force the laws, the evil continued an
the disastrous results increased.
(Those who have not attempted to en-
force such prohibitory laws can hardl
appreciate the difficulty of obtaining lie
gal proof of the commission of tn
offense.)
The evils and diseases which had re
suited had produced dreadful effect
among the people, and were wild
spread. The conditions and faint doubt
less contributed much to the propaga
ton and spread of leprosy, with all it
woe.
Physicians, the authorities, and tn
Legislature, became convinced tina
some other course must be pursued
and finally, in 1860 the Act to Miti
gate" was enacted. Instead of grant
ing licenses and creating vested right
to pursue the aVocaGion, and obtainin
revenue for the Government, the abov
plan was adopted. And the experienc
of forty years has INDICATED the wis
dom of the measure.
At nearly every session of the Legis
lature since the law was passed, som
persons have sought it's repeal. Blu
the judgment of the health officers, pc
lice authorities, and of many of tn
most responsible citizens has so ia
prevailed. 1t has been the choosing G
a lesser evil.
To repeal the "Act to Mitigate" woul
spread the evil. Fire is dangerous, bu
If it cannot be eXtinguished it shout
if possible, be confined. Scattering
firebrands increases the danger.
The experience in most cities, an,
particularly of seaports, has been tina
greater control can be had and tn
community better protected when thos
who engage in prostitution are confin
ed to comparatively narrow limits. ]
is easier to preserve the peace and pre-
vent robbery; easier to keep the youn
away and the very fact of the sur
veillance prevents a considerable elias
| Of men from soaking the SOcfatU n G1Ip