The Hawaiian gazette., 1906-09-07
DRINK AND
GAMBLING

Open and constant violation OF the
liquor law and general disrespect for
the laws In general as well as strong
condemnation Of the gambling evil In
Honolulu were among the principal
Items In the instructions given to the
September grand jury yesterday morn
ing by Judge j. 7. De Bolt. presiding
judge of the First Circuit Court.
The Judge In dignifed language, but
forceful at that. arraigned the laxity
of conditions arising from the present
liquor law. He also came out flat-foot-
ed against the /. o. u. practice of
juggling public and trust funds, and
gave the jury instructions to spare no
one found using l. o. us where pub
lie funds were at stake.
After setting forth the duties OF the
grand jury and giving the Jurors some
of their fundamental principles. the
Judge referred to local evils as fol-
lows:
1 wish to draw your attention more
particularly to some special matters,
which particularly and vitality concern
the people of this community. or
these special matters, 1 desire first to
direct your attention to the open and
constant violation of our statutes rela-
tive to the Illicit sale and excessive use
of intoxicating liquor. together with
its evil results, morally, physically,
mentally and financially, to all people.
either directly or indirectly And. as
the LIQUOR question Is one which con-
Germs each and every individual in this
community, to say nothing of the,mat-
ter in general l do not deem 1t inap-
propriate to look somewhat beyond the
mere violation of our statutes and take
a more comprehensive survey Of the
matter, the sole purpose being to add
our mite to the general and commend
able effort of those who are faithfully
combating this great evil and seeking
to raise frail humanity to a higher
plane and promote a nobler and clear
er sense of duty in all who may have
an opportunity to act or speak upon
this vital question. In dealing with the
liquor question, however, as with all
other matters concerning our daily life
we should use plain common sense and
be governed by facts. conditions and
experiences rather than by visionary
and impractcable theories. We should
endeavor to take a broad comprehen-
sive view of this matter. And, in this
connection. it would be well for us to
realize, for we can not close our eyes
to the fact, that the manufacture and
use of Intoxicating liquor is almost as
old as the human race; and that, with
out doubt, so long as man possesses
the knowledge and ability to make and
has the desire for intoxicating liquor,
the liquor question will remain and
continue in some form or other to vex
mankind.
does not affect our duty In the prem
ises, nor does it render us any the less
capable of reaching desired results.
Having our eyes open to the facts as
they actually exist, we are, therefore.
able to move more intelligently and
successfully in the matter.
Being thus confronted with these
undeniable facts and conditions. view
ing them in the light of the experience
and observation of ages, and at the
same time contemplating the crime,
disease and distress which always fol-
lows the excessive use Of intoxicating
liquor, the question instinctively arises,
what Is the better course to pursue
what practicable solution is there of
this troublesome question? The first
and most important duty is the en-
forcement of the law in this matter, as
ir all other matters, no matter how un-
satisfactory the law may be in its
operation. The law, however, should