The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1909-03-12

seemed to be rolling along quite smooth
ly for the liquor interests and Moore
appeared well pleased with the appar-
ent acquiescence of the members of the
Senate.
But when the entire Moore bill had
been formally altered in accordance
with the recommendation of the WAYS
and Means Committee and it came for
vote on the passage of the title and
enacting clause, which would pass the
amended bill on its second reading.
President W. O. Smith called Vice Pres
ident Kalama to the chair and took
the floor
w. o. Smith Protests.
He Immediately moved for the in
definite postponement of the enacting
clause and the motion was seconded bv
Senator Knudsen.
1t may be useless declared Sem
ator Smith, "to protest against the
passage of this bill, but I would not
consider myself as living up to nv oath
as representative of the people and
as a legislator of this Territory if [ did
not go on record against this measure
"The excessive use of Intoxicating
liquors has been the curse of the Ha.
waiian race. I admit that the use of
Intoxicating liquor cannot be stamped
out, but that it can be regulated to the
benefit of the people of this Territory
has been shown by the present law.
81 am not an advocate of prohibition
it does not prohibit. The experience
of the past has shown that it is not
wise to enact prohibition laws. But
the evils of the liquor traffic can be
curbed and it was in a successful effort
to accomplish that much that led to the
adoption of the present law It was
great step in advance to the lasting
benefit of the Hawaiian people.
The misery, woe and suffering has
been lessened and the efficacy of the
existing liquor law an acknowledged
fact-admitted by all except those who
are interested in the liquor traffic.
"Not one word in favor of this
amendment has been received by this
Senate except from the liquor dealers.
Protest upon protest has been received
from the good citizens of this Terri
tory. The people of Kauai have pro-
tested against change; the people of
Maui have protested against a change
the people of the entire Territory
protest against the weakening of the
law that has been one of the triumphs
of our legislation. Not one disinterest-
ed communication has been laid before
this Senate asking for a change. That
shows where the people stand and
where they expect their representatives
to stand on this question.
Churches Opposed.
'The association of the churches of
the Territory, composed of earnest men
and women whom no one can Say have
any interest in the question except the
well being of the people, have petit
toned us not to interfere with the
present law.
Gas sworn representatives of the
people we must conform to these unan-
imous expressions of opinion. Not
voice has been heard from the other
side except from those who are aligned
with the liquor interests.
81 know argument can be made up
on the other side of the question. 1t
is impossible to get perfect law gov
erning the liquor traffic. The present
law has protected the honest liquor
dealer and the men who are trying to
live up to the law. 1t has weeded
ont the irresponsible and lawbreaking
dealer and has contributed to the bene-
fit of the Hawaiian people. Whatever
may said about the Board of License
Commissioners the law as it stands is
for law, order and the interests of the
general public-a protection for men,
women and children.
"Why vote to change it when these
facts stand undisputed? The people who
are supporting these changes now are
voting against their own interests and
the interests of the community.
cit is probably useless to protest,
but I want it as matter of record
that I am unalterably opposed to this
measure. The petitions that we have
received come from bodies of worthy
citizens, not single written word or
signature have we received from those
who contend for a change
Mccarthy In Defense.
Senator Mccarthy stated the case of
the liquor dealers. ~ would not vote
for the passage of the bill as it stood
originally he said, ''and was opposed
to that portion of it which knocked out
the local option feature, but the bill
as before us now has been amended.
"The whole substance of the ques-
ton is involved in the right of appeal
and this we declare is the recognized
principle of justice. I think the Board
of License Commissioners will receive
Justice at the hands of the court in
the consideration of any matter that
it appealed, just as L am confident that
the holder of a liquor license would
receive Justice. That is all we are ask
ing for"
Senator Fairchild made a strong
speech against the passage of the bill.
He declared that the other islands were
satisfied with their Boards of License
Commissioners and that because some
of the liquor dealers on the island of
Oahu were not satisfied a License
Board was a proper thing the whole
procedure throughout the entire Terri
tory should be not altered to coincide
with their view.
Postponement Carries.
"Why force us to change law that
has proven satisfactory to u.s. asked
Senator Fairchild.
Senator Smith amended his first mo-
ton for an indefinite postponement to
a postponement to March 9th and call
ed for an aye and no vote.
The vote was taken and the post
ponement secured by a vote of eight