The Hawaiian gazette., 1907-04-16
SENATE IS
STRENUOUS
Continued from page One.)
TREATING LEPERS.

House Bill No. "a, relating TO tn
treatment of leprosy, was called unde
special order Of the day.
Senator Bishop left the chair TO speal
on the bill lie remarked that its mair
features are similar to the present law
the object of the bill was, apparently
to modify it. He believed it unwise tC
incorporate in the bill any clause which
would permit persons, under treatment
at a leper station, who showed signs
of improvement, to return to their
homes.
Senator Smith moved indefinite post
ponement. "The changes are so radical, u
he said, Gas to warrant strongest OPP
position. Since 1864 the greatest eff
fort has been made by the Govern
ment to ascertain conditions and find
remedies for the disease. This bill is
against segregation while the wisdom
of the system under the existing laws
has been proven. Years ago, when the
settlement was started, the idea Of
sending persons there was repulsive but
that feeling has been eliminated
through the action of the Government
in ameliorating the condition of the
patients. More care, and better care,
is taken of the unfortunates now than
ever before and this will Increase He
caiI fhot fnr ~ ha had happ
interested in the subject and had
handled great many afflicted persons;
that he formerly knew all of those
at the settlement and knows most of
them now and he had always felt that,
if he was ever stricken with the dis
ease, he would want to 90 to the set
Element for the preservation of the
health of his family. He opposed the
clause of the bill which provides that
istrate for examination by a commits
sion. This meant an appeal to higher
courts to the embarrassment of every
member of the suspected person S fami-
ly. "Why say this shall be done with
leprosy and not with smallpox, plague
or other contagious diseasesl' He en-
phasized his statement that such Il
course would be wrong to the sus
pect, wrong to the family and wrong
to the public. Such procedure would,
in time, make it impossible to secure
jury to try such a case.
Senator Chillingworth spoke in favor
of the bill, citing several cases in which
serious errors had been made by the
physicians under the administration.
AS the bill had not been reported
upon Senator Bishop asked that it be
referred to the Judiciary committee,
Senator Smith withdrawing his motion
to indefinitely postpone.
Senator Lane was ready with an
amendment which applied to persons in
the incipient stages of the disease and
referred to the case of Hawaiian,
born with hands deformed, being sent
to the settlement and who had with
tears begged him, during his recent
visit to Molokai, to secure his release.
The passage of the bill did not mean
that segregation would cease nor did
it apply to lepers now at the settle
ment.
Senator Smith asked postponement
of further consideration of the bill I'M
til House Bill No. "a was disposed Of.
Senator Bishop wanted the bill DIS
posed of without further delay, saying
No. 81 went as much too far one way
as this did the other, IF such a law
as this passes he said, there is a
danger of the Federal authorities step
ping in and taking charge of the set,
Element and conducting the treatment
OF persons afflicted. When that time
comes sympathy and sentiment will be
eliminated. By the passage OF this bill
You open the door to such takers as
this poor, miserable perjured wretch
Wallach to come forward with their
quack remedies, This bill, and others
that have been introduced, are leading
up TO the point where the United
States Will step in. when 1t will
mean segregation of the sexes
Further consideration OF the bill was
deferred.
Senator Chillingworth reported ver-
bally on House Bill No. 1873 recon-
mending its passage.
When Senate Bill No. 81, relating to
perching birds. was read. Senator Dow.
sett objected to any legislation that
would result in the slaughter OF mynah
birds. He said they are great scaven-
gers and We're death to caterpillars.
His motion that this class of birds be
protected by the bill had no support
and II passed third reading.
Consideration of House Bill No. At
was indefinitely postponed. This re-
lates to holidays.
FIREARMS BILLS.
House Bill 1885, which fixes a license
fee for all islands for hunting with
firearms, passed third reading as did
No. 1872. relating to the possession OF
firearms.