Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1905-03-09
LICENSE IS OPPOSED
MERCHANTS VOTE DOWN
MOII"N TO FAVOR
SAY TAX WOULD NOT REACH
DRUMMERS AND PRESENT
BURDENS ARE HEAVY
ENOUGH.

The Merchants Association yester
day expressed itself as emph atically
opposed to a merchandise license, un.
der the conditions with which such Q
license would now be imposed On
motion by w. A. Bowen, the following
resolution. indicative Of the sentiment
OF the meeting, was voted down by q
large majority: THAT It is the sense
of this Association that we are agree.
able to the establishment of merchan.
disc license"
The meeting was special one called
at 8 o'clock by request Of the Com.
mittee on Public Affairs, vice.Presi.
dent Cation presided, in the absence OF
President Smith. Chairman J. w
Wakefield stated for the reporting com.
mittee that II. d. is, introduced by
Representative Kaniho, imposed mer.
chandise license, and the COMMITTEES
/ wished to bring the matter before the
whole Association.
Upon general discussion, sentiment
seemed about equally divided. Several
arguments were advanced in favor Of
the bill. e. A. McInerny urged tnat
such bill would eliminate a large
number of Asiatics from the competi.
ton, who now are paying no taxes on
their goods because they amount to
less than $500. This position was up.
held by several members. Again It
was urged in favor of the bill that
FOR tuv, dr. xt,ha hat
goods on the mainland and take orders
here would be forced to pay their just
dues. At this point there was divi-
sion, several members asserting that
the interstate commerce law would
prevent reaching these drummers. Al
this most of those who favored the II.
cense withdrew from their position,
stating that IL II did not apply to the
drummers they did not want 1t. After
fruther discussion In which II came out
that the merchants felt themselves al.
ready bearing more than their just tax
burden, the motion to favor the II.
cense was lost.
J. W. Wakefield brought up a bill
before the Legislature relating to suits
on open accounts. The committee re.
ported progress and asked further
time, which was granted.
J. Emmeluth then made plea for
reducing the heavy burden Of taxes
He wished the Association to take up
the matter. II. f. Wichman moved to
appoint q special committee to investi
gate and report. Mr.. McInerny arose
and said that the Committee on Public
Affairs had already recommended a tax
commission to the government. lie
said the fault was not with the Com
mittee on Public Affairs, but with the
Superintendent of Public Works, ano
other political favorites and politica
pets" who had given the business sec
ton the "rottenest sidewalks In town
and streets In a disgraceful condition.
The subject was dropped upon hi.
statement that the tax commission wal
up to the government.
The following resolution, considera
ton Of which had been deferred from
January 25, was passed.:
Resolved, That this Association de
precates any action Of the Admins
tration (not required by law or stat
ute, and not absolutely necessary FOL
public order or security which maj
tend to injure or destroy any Lawful
and established business enterprise Of
investment.
That where license for the transac
tion Of such lawful and established
business is required, renewal OF such
license should not be denied. unles
specific charges are made and proven
J OF some sufficient offense committe,
against the law or the lawful provi
! sions Of license. for which offense n,
penalty is by law already provided.
That where discretion is given b,
law to any officer or officers of tn
Government, as to the renewal Of Il
cense. such discretion should be exer
clsed impartially. and only after q fai
hearing Of all the facts pertaining I,
such application solely, has been gran,
ed to the applicant for such renewal.