The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1902-02-14


license could not be given them, even
though the Honolulu Brewing Co
would be willing to put up the balance
TO make UP the $1,000 which other deal
ers must pay. 1t is nkely also that the
act will be amended by the next Leg
isIature so as to allow all saloons hand
ling only beer, foreign or domestic 10
come within the $3.50 limit. In the
mean time there will hardly be any
prosecutions by the Territory against
those holding the licenses which have
been declared to be invalid. The mat
ter viii probably be finally settled at
conference today between Treasurer
Wright and Attorney-General Dole.
PUBLIC OPINION.
Saloon men were generally on the
qui vive yesterday when the news
reached them of Judge Estee's decision
with reference to the unconstitutional
ity OF the saloon licenses which have
been issued by Treasurer Wright for
the sale of Primo beer. That the Ho-
noluIu Brewing and Mating Company
was hard hit as far as the decision in
itself was concerned. was generally
conceded, but most of those Interested
in the brewery side Of the question
We're optimistic as IL the outcome
They are of the opinion that even If
the higher United States court to which
the case has been appealed, sustains
Judge Estee's decision. il VIII mean
that there will be an entire readjust-
ment of the law concerning the issu-
ance of saloon licenses. and they there
fore feel that the large amount of cap
itaI which they have invested in the
islands will practically be unmolested
in the end.
The members of the Anti-Saloon
League and church organizations
which have been opposing the increase
in the number of beer licenses, feel
that they have gained a partial vic
tory. as, pending the decision of the
higher court. the treasurer is necessar-
lily restrained from issuing more Ii
censes. This will give the anti-saloon
people an opportunity TO carry on
their fight against the liquor and beer
sellers without fear of being under
mined by counter movements of their
natural enemy.
When the proprietors of the Primo
beer saloons were appraised that the
United States District Court decision in
the matter of licenses had gone against
them, there was a shock. but this wore
off when it was known that the case
had been appealed. and that in case II
went to Washington To the United
States Supreme Court. they could con-
tinue dispensing the local brew over
the counters for an indefinite period
Judge Siniman. who defended the
brewery's interests. said that the case
as it stood virtually put quietus on
the Honolulu Brewery. He was of the
opinion that the local industry had
been given a serious blow. but he felt
that the decision would not BE- sus-
tanned by the United States Circuit
Court, to which the case has been ap-
pealed. He was of the opinion that it
would be a question of a years time
before the Supreme Court decided upon
the matter. If the question was carried
that far. It was a test case. and the
entire saloon license system depended
upon the result. He expressed the
opfnion also that Judge E.stee had no
jurisdiction in the matter
Senator Hooking. manager of the
Honolulu Brewery. Wen questioned as