The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1907-05-24
SENATOR DICKEY
ON TEMPERANCE

At the regular monthly meeting oi
the W. c. r. L. yesterday afternoon, al
admirable resume Of the new liquor law
was presented by Senator G. II. Dickey
who has always taken an active part
in temperance legislation. The briei
paper was free from technicalities, but
every point was clearly defined, but
rs to its good and bad features. For
while the new law was regarded as a
decided advance, giving evidence of a
steady and healthy growth of temper
ance sentiment in the community, il
was not, of course, pronounced flawless.
The meeting was held in the parlors
Of Central Union church which were
filed, every seat being occupied. An
invitation had been extended men to
be present, and several had responded.
detachment of the older boys of the
Kamehameha school occupied front
seats. Senator Dickey was especially
explicit in expounding the new law to
these future voters, who gave close and
respectful attention.
The meeting was called to order by
the president, Mrs. j. NJ. Whitney, who
also conducted a brief devotional ex-
ercise. Reports were submitted, that
of the treasurer showing that the funds
on hand amounted to $101.11. sum
was voted to help defray the publica-
tion of n digest of the new law, which
Senator Dickey has prepared at the
request of the Anti-Saloon League.
In presenting the topic assigned him,
Senator Dickey, discussed 1t with the
most admirable fairness, showing no
personal rancor, treating 1t as an abs
stract question. from a purely legal
standpoint
He said: "In many respects the new
liquor law is an improvement on the
old" Among the advantages which he
cited were: the appointment of COM
mission to issue licenses. the abolish
ment of club licenses and 5th class IL
censes, the publishing OF notice of
hearing OF application, making more
clear the forbiddng of minors from
being on saloon premises. forbiddine
the sale of liquor to women and not
allowing them on saloon premises, and
making more clear the definition of a
restaurant.
THE odd law" ne said. made the
issuance of a license obligatory, II the
applicant had fulfilled the provisions
and was not minor, felon, etc. No
matter where 1t was proposed to put
saloon, so long as 1t was not within
$50 feet of church or school, the
license could not be denied 1t could
be put down among the finest resi-
dences in Makiki, or Nuuanu, or among
the crowded homes of the poor in Ka-
kaako, or in any other undesirable
place. The appointment of a commits
sion does away with all this, and with
a proper selection of the members
much of the evil can be eliminated.
1.-THE commission has power to grant,
refuse to grant, suspend, remove, reg
ulate and control any license.
1.-THE present board of Honolulu can,
for instance, refuse to grant licenses
on the streets Immediately around the
market where half a dozen saloons
now stand, ready to absorb the earn
ings of the laborng man when he goes
to market, after getting his pay on
Saturday, to buy food for his family"
Upon this point the speaker added:
This commission may, If it will, abate
this nuisance and leave us a clean mar
ket where at least part of the laborers'
wages will be spent for necessities"
Applications could also be refused
for saloons in other unsuitable places,