The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1906-09-05
AND
GAMBLING
Main Topics of Judges
Charge to Grand
Jury.

Open and constant violation of the
liquor law and a general disrespect for
the laws in general, as we'll as a strong
condemnation of the gambling evil in
Honolulu We're among the principal
items in the instructions given to the
September grand jury yesterday morn
ing by Judge j. T. De Bolt presiding
judge of the First Circuit Court
The judge in dignified language, but
forceful at that, arraigned the laxity
of conditions arising from the present
liquor law. He also came out hat-foot-
ed against the I. 0. Z. practice of
Juggling public and trust funds. and
gave the jury instructions to spare no
one found using 1. 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:
L wish to draw your attention more
particularly to some special matters,
which particularly and vitality concern
the people of this community. OF
i
direct your attention to the open and
constant violation of our statutes reia-
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, I do not deem it map
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 nob1er 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 impracticabie theories. We should
endeavor to take a broad comprehen-
SlNe view OF l1lS matter Auu- III ILLS
connection. it would be we'll for us to
realize, for 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
This view of the matter, however,
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 inStlnet1Vely arises,
what is the better course to pursue
what practicable solution is there of
this troublesome question? The first
forcement of the law in this matter, as
ir all other matters. no matter how un-
satisfactory the law may be in its
operatfon The law, however, should
he so framed that the evil may be
strictly hedged in and about and con-
fined to prescribed limits. with the view
of minimizing the evil, if not eradicat-
ing it, And let there be no doubt as
to it's being a crime for man to be-
come intoxicated. Place it in the cate
CORY to which it belongs.
No man has a right TO deliberately
overthrow his reason and render him
self a nuisance and a dangerous rae
for in society For the Offense OF
drunkenness. subsequent to the first
conviction. particularly if it has be-
come ha bitual, the punishment should
be Imprisonment. This would be not
ONLY beneficial to the drunkard hln-
self. but to his family and the pupl1c
as we'll The imposition of a fine does
but little good; in fact, II the cuIprll
has a family the fine is a punishment
falling most heavily upon the wife and
children. to which is added the burden
! of inevitable shame and humiliation
believe you will agree with me
when T saw that the law in general,
and particularly with regard to lntoX-
icatinp LIQUOR is not always treated
with that respect it is entitled to. Thls
is wrong. The preservation of our ao-
soIute and relative rights,-indeed, civ
i1ization in it's most primitive form
necessarily is based upon ana requires
the protection of the law.
No matter what the law may De, or
what it's subject matter is. it should
no oheved and respected, and it should
he honestly enforced according to IT'S
letter and spirit, regardless of conse-
o,,ences. If the law is unsatisfactory
in it's operation, or does not fulhh the
raouirements or expectations OF the
sovereign people, let them seek Its re-
peal or amendment through the proper
channel and in the proper way; but we
should not allow it to become deau
- ,o,u 50 Ions, as il occupies a po-