The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1905-03-29

Merchants Association
Favors a Liberal
Sunday.
'rn. Merchants Association set me
stamp of its approval on the Quinn
Sunday bill at a special meeting held
in the rooms of the association yester-
day afternoon. There was a larger at
tendance of the merchants than usual
and some lively discussion; all, how
ever. kept their tempers and there was
no quarreling. Although from the first
it was to be seen that the majority
sentiment was one way the opponents of
the bill We're not dismayed and put in
their arguments with as much assur-
ance as if they had been on the win
ming side. Like Horatius and his COM
rades at the bridge W. A. Bowen and
his comrades of the minority, w. w.
Hall and r. A. Jordan, stuck out to
the last and against the overwhelming
majority and although they did not
win the day they at least won the ad-
miration of many of their fellow MEM
bers according to the talk after the
meeting closed.
1t was a foregone conclusion that the
association was for the bill when Mr..
McInerny introduced his resolution en-
dorsing it. There was a wave of ap-
prevail which swept around the room.
NJ. Phillips seconded the resolution
which was as follows:
Honolulu, March IS, 1905.
WHEREAS there is now pending be-
fore his Excellency, the Governor of
the Territory of Hawaii. a certain bill,
passed by the Legislature of the Ter
ritory of Hawaii, commonly known as
the Quinn Sunday BILL and,
WHEREAS the Governor has re-
quested expression from the various
Territorial interests as to their ap-
prevail or disapproval of said BILL
Therefore, be it resolved by the Mer-
meeting thereof held at the rooms of
the association on Tuesday, the 2Sth
day of March, 1905. that this associa-
ton approves, and is unqualifiedly in
favor of a law permitting reasonable
recreation and freedom on Sunday.
AND RESOLVED FURTHER that
the Quinn Sunday bill meets the pres
ent requirements of the Territory of
Hawaii as to the observance of Sun
day.
RESOLVED FURTHER, that this
resolution be spread upon the minutes
of the association, and that the Secre-
tary be instructed to forthwith for
ward a copy hereof to the Governor of
the Territory of Hawaii.
After the motion to adopt had been
made and seconded President Smith
began to call on the members one at
a time for their opinions on the bill.
At this juncture Mr.. Bowen arose and
said that he had heard that Mr.. Smith
had been introduced by Mr.. McInerny
as President of the Merchants Associ-
alton when he made his speech for the
Quinn bill before the Governor. If this
acting as the representative of the as
ISOLATION why was there any necessity
of having another expression of opinion
on the part of the association. In re-
ply President Smith stated that he ap-
peared before the Governor merely as
private citizen and Mr.. McInerny
stated that he had not introduced him
as president of the association. He
that effect was erroneous. This explain
alton was accepted by Mr.. Bowen and
the expression of opinions went on.
A number expressed themselves as
in favor of the new law. When Mr.
Bowen was called upon he spoke at
some length in favor of the present
law. He said that he would make his
argument aside from moral and reli-
ally he believed in the Sabbath from
that standpoint. But as the desire
evidently was for a discussion of the
subject from another phase he would
L cat II LioIh tie purely business STAND
point. The main argument against the
bill, he stated, was that it would give
opportunities for increasing labor. and
that if the opportunities were given,
the labor on that day would be in
creased. The journeymen BARRIERS had
petitiored the Governor that their sun
day hours be not heightened
Mr.. Bowen then told of the danger
that the Orientals would put in soft
drinks and thus be able 20 remain open
Then they would sell other things il
legally, He understood that the High
Sheriff had stated that it would be
very difficult to enforce the law among
tIic ol,ee l. g.. - ,..... l.