The Hawaiian gazette., 1909-03-12


senate.
HUT wheh iht entire Moore IN had
been fofmsil, altered in accordance
with she recommendation Of the WAYS
and Means Committee aud u came for
vote on the passage Of the title and
enacting clause, which would pass the
amended Hill on IT, second rcudinc.
President W. o. smith called Vice Pres.
ident Kalama 10 the chair and took
the noor
W. o. Smith Protests.
lie Immediately moved for the In.
definite postponomcnt " the cnacting
clause aud the motion was seconded by
Senator Knudsen.
II may be useless" declared SEN
ator Smith, ''to protest against the
passage Of this bill, but ! would not
consider myself as living up TO my oath
as a representative of the people and
as a legislator of this Territory IL did
not go on record against this measure.
"The excessive use of intoxicating
liquors has been the curse Of the Ha.
waian race. ! admit that the use OF
intoxicating liquor cannot be stamped
out, but that II can be regulated to the
| benefit of the people Of this Territory
|
80 am not an advocate of prohibition
lit does not prohibit. The experience
of the past has shown that it is no:
wise TO enact prohibition laws. But
the evils of the liquor traffic can be
curbed and il was in n successful effort
to accomplish that much that led to the
adoption of the present law 1t was n
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 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 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.
''As sworn representatives of the
people we must conform to these unan-
imous expressions of opinion. Not a
voice has been heard from the other
side except from those who are aligned
with the liquor interests.
"I know argument can be made up
on the other side of the question. 1t
is impossible to get a 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
out 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,
4 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 / want it as a 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 writer 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 WIS 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. / 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 / am confident that
S the holder of a liquor license would
: receive justice. That is all we are ask
: ing for"
Senator Fairchild made strong
e speech against the passage of the bill
: He declared that the other islands were
g satisfied with their Boards of License
Commissioners and that because some
: of the liquor dealers on the island of
Oahu were not satisfied License
Board was a proper thing the whole
q procedure throughout the entire Teri
a tory should be not altered to coincide
g with their view.
a Postponement Carries.
5 "Why force us to change a law that
g has proven satisfactory to u.s." asked
s Senator Fairchild.
: Senator Smith amended his first mo
ton for an indefinite postponement tc
S a postponement to March 9th and call
o ed for an aye and no vote.
Y The vote was taken and the post
d ponement secured by vote of eight
: to seven. The ayes were Senators Chill
t lingworth, Baker, Fairehild, Kalama
G Makekau, Quinn and Knudsen. Those