Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1902-05-22
ANTESALOON LEAGUE AND ITS METHODS
by IAN kMERIcAN."5

Permit me space in the columns of
your paper for a friendly criticism of
the work of the Anti-SaloOn League |
say friendly" because feel as much
antagonism to the saloon and its en-
vironment as does any member of the
League. and were the matter within my
control would shut up every estab-
lishment of the kind in these Islands.
So much for the friendliness. Now
for the criticism. consider the work
Of the League. so long as conducted
along lines thus far made known
ed so far as attainment of the objects
aimed at is concerned. More than
this. the methods pursued are CalCulat
ed to, and actually do create a false
feeling of sympathy in the public mind
for those who are being attacked. One
of the marked elements of weakness in
the Leagues methods developed when
1t permitted the Quasi-cooperatiOn of
the high license saloon element in its
fight against the Primo saloons. This
was on a par with the attitude of some
truly good members OF the Legislature
some years ago, when they Joined with
this same element in defeating the light
wine and beer license bill Such meth
DDS are reactionary in the extreme and
do more harm than good, say nothing
Of discrediting the good intentions of
those actively and from their stand
point, honestly engaged in the good
work.
4 chain Is no stronger than its weak
est link and our community is but a
human chain. One half the ihoneY be-
ing subscribed to fund to hire law
yers to fight certain issues in the courts
would suffice for an educational cam
paign that, in the five months interven-
ing between now and the next election
would. through the ballot box, do more
to raise the tone of this community to
a higher, more self-respecting plane,
than twenty leagues with all the law
yers in the land at their beck could ac-
complish by attempts at forcibly clos
ing saloons and the brewery.
Healthy public sentiment must first
be created. Men and women must be
put on their personal responsibility
for the character of their environment
The right of petition must be made
known TO the public at large. and they
must be educated to a full knowledge
Of their rights and duties as citizens.
In this latter circumstance lies the
chief reason for specializing efforts at
reform. Unconsciously though this
may be done ii is nevertheless a fact
that too many of those who are ardent
in their demands for any one class OF
reform are persons who never give Q
thought to the underlying conditions
that make a breach of the laws o
health, morality or public utility, grad
ually take on the garb of respectable!
and become fixture in the community
have lately had opportunity TO lool
over a copy of the much maligner
County bill that passed both house
OF Legislature. which the Governo
of this Territory claimed was corrup
with bribery, and | want to common
1t to the careful perusal of its woul
! Dt tllllNS' al NOloN hh'oh"i'S VI"
this one are now the law in two-third
of the States of the Union.
Had the Governor who was so fire
in his abuse of the Legislature, an
who is maligning the elements repre-
scented by majority of that body b
q his utterances while the guest at pull
, lie functions abroad, had this Cove
nor done his duty by making the bi
above referred to the law of the Ian
there would have been no need for Il
Anti-SaloOn League to solicit funds f
/, making a campaign against the saloo
, Public sentiment under Local Option
:, would determine for each COmmunlt
what its policy should be not only
regards saloons but as to any oth'
/ thing, seriously affecting the publ
= welfare.
S | quote for the benefit OF the Ant
|. Saloon League, from subhead Count
o Commissioners" in the bill referred Il
Section 22-Five per cent of the regi
tered voters of the county may, by pei
NJ ton, in like manner as for nomin
N ton of candidates for office, lodg
TX with the county clerk, initiate al
70 legislation affecting only the county
Of It's subdivisions, and in like mann
y nra. ANNA ~ "a - n VI sa'ra