The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1909-03-12
The SENATE FIGHT
ON LIQUOR BILL

present liquor law. EVERY paper re-
celved in this house on the subject
stree the introduction of this bill has
been against any change. The moth
ers, the wives, the children have pro-
tested. Not a single name has appear
Ell on any petition from Hawaii to
Kauai asking that this law be chang
ed. Not a voice, except from the IL
quor interest, has been heard in favor
of this bill. But we have a volume OF
protests against any change
I'VE are mere as representatives of
the people. Not a voice has been heard
here in favor of the bill excepting
, from the liquor interests, but a general
acclaim of voices against it. And what
are we doing? | think it would be i'm
possible for us to get a perfect liquor
law, one against which fault could not
| be found. Yet after years OF expert
ence a law was enacted at last ses-
sion which has proved great improve
mCnt. 1t has protected even the liquor
, interests in a reasonable manner.
know that there are hardships in the
existing law, yet some of the seeming
hardships are really benefit to honest
liquor dealers. 1t is not however Tor
the benefit of the liquor traffic that a
law is required, but for a more whole
some regulation of the liquor traffic.
1t is known to all that the law as 1t
stands has been for the best interests
| Of these islands-for law and order
for the protection of women and chill
dren. Why should we change this?
Where is the demand? Has there been
single request from any of the coun-
ties for change? say it with all res
pect to those who are acting in behalf
: Of this bill that they are acting against
their own interests. l know they say
they can look out for their own affairs
but they are making a great mistake
in trying to force this bill through.
81 suppose it is no use to talk but
want it to be a matter of record, see.
inf that we are confronted with pro.
tests from large proportion of the
people. There is that petition from
Eilo representing ITO churches, mean.
Jig a large number of people, anC
whatever their profession of Greco
their voice is entitled to be heard
There are protests from Honolulu, ev-
cry organization that has spoken being
against the bill, but not a single word
not a single protest, except from the
liquor dealers, on the other side cal
/ for the ayes and noes.
MCCARTHY REPLIES.
| Mccarthy said in effect
II agree with a great deal that Mr.
Smith says ana that the present law is
a great improvement over the former
law. But when the present law came
to a final passage at last session things
were done hurriedly.
Il had nothing to do with the draft
ing of this bill as it was originally in
t. oduced. 1 certainly was opposed tC
that part of the original bill whicr
knocked out the local option feature
J Il agree with those protests but they
we're made to the original bill. W.
have in the amended bill raised the
fee for hotels and restaurants in Homo
lulu and Hilo, 1eaving such small
places as Haleiwa untouched Asiatici
have been selling TASKS at fifteen cents
debauching the Hawaiians, and W,
have made it that they cannot sell les
than a gallon at wholesale.
If the present law is wrong it SHOULD
be amended. l believe we all hav,
sufficient confidence In the integrity o
the courts to believe that they vii
do right on appeals.
Il would not have brought in a bill
, but it is here and regard it as an i'm
, plovement. The Whole matter is tn
, right of appeal. | was one of thos
; who put in the present law the sec
ton giving the board absolute pow
els. l do not care to say why | pu
. it in. 1t was taken from the law mad
for the police commissioners Of Sal