The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1906-04-07
WAR On THE
SALOONS IS
WAGING
League Meeting Shows
the Work of Past
Year.

The annual meeting OF the Anti
yssaloon Leag was held in the assem-
Btss han of the Y. n. c. a. last night,
goodIy attendance being present
ReE John ". wadnan. president of
the league, was in the chair.
After an opening song by the con-
gregation, Rev. o. H Gulick offered a
prayer. which was followed by musie
by the Christian church choir.
The following annual report of the
league was delivered by Rev. John w
wadman, president OF the league:
ANNUAL ADDRESS.
The Anti-Saioon League is a COM
pany of men banded together in a
united effort for the accomplishment of
a certain well-defned object. We are
not a political party. though we are
Obliged TO do somewhat with politics.
We are rot religious sect. though
the principles involved in the creation
and constitution of our league are the
fundamental outgrowth of our Chris
titan religion We are not body OF
fanatics nor yet an organization OF
partisans, though we are frequently
denounced as the former and charac-
terized as the latter. In a word, We
are an organized association Of citizens
with a definite belief in our thinking
and a definite principle in our acting
We are anti-salooners, and a1lti-saloon-
ers in the sense that we do not believe
in existence of the saloon as legitf-
mate form of business and therefore
ought not TO be licensed by our Gov
rAlxy
by the voice of public opinion.
The saloon is menace to the happi-
ness OF the individual. the welfare Of
/ the home and the stability of the
state It is directly and indirectly the
cause 0f large percentage Of the
crime and misery of the community,
and though our Government exchequer
gains somewhat in revenue from the
sale Of licenses, yet the expense OF
maintaining such public institutions as
jails. hospitals, asyIums, etc, is largely
Increased owing to the business of the
same Primarily, therefore, it is
against the saloon itself or rather the
pubic recognition OF the same as a Ii
seensed form of business that. as
leaguers. We are arrayed in opposition
land conflict.
SALOON KEEPERS.
With the men themselves engaged in
the traffic, many OF whom pass as re-
specta Gle members of society, We are
rot in open battle except that we en-
S1eavor@to see, so far as we are able.
that they conform with the legislation
governing the traffic and keep the laws
of the state. Many Of these men them
selves feel that If it were. not for the
living il gives them and their fanli-
lies they would quit the business at
once. Not a few know that the trade
is more or less disreputable and would
gladly enter any other branch of busi-
ness i the way would open up
But just as long as public opinion
sanctions the traffic and the Govern
lnent grants its license. then these men
are net so Eauch TO be blamed as ths
reonditions which permit the evil Go
zxisk al all.
Who. then. is 20 be blamed. The
Government? Yes and no. Yes. il
The legislators enact laws not in har-
Hnony with the wish and viii OF the |
Electors, an evil which can be very
easily rectifed when these representa- |
tives return 10 the polls seeking a re- |
newal of our suffrages. No. if We |
choose men. not possessing weli-defined |
conscientious principles on this burning |
question, who are ready TO enact laws |
permitting the traffic TO exist so long
as the revenue doesn't suffer nor their |
constituents grow dissat tisfied It fs. /
therefore in its final analysis. a ques-
ton for the people themselves to del
eide /
The onus of responsibility lies with |
the electorate The ballot box is the
tConunued On page II /