Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1910-05-17


of Congress, the voters OF this Terri.
tory are to go to the polls to say
whether or not Hawaii Is to put IL up
to the legislature to pass law pro
hibiting the sale OF liquor In these
islands. Now. II an election could be
held Immediately, from what have
heard and am able to observe, thers
would be an overwhelming vote
against this prohibition law. but what
will happen on July 26 is, of course,
another matter. II is In this regard
that would ask your indulgence for
a few statements with which be.
lieve most thinking men will be
agreed.
When any question Of such moment
Is brought up, particularly with view
to having a public vote thereon, there
are bound to be a certain few enthus.
lasts, who have little or no business
or real interest, in the issue, who jump
into the fray with specious Arguments
and exaggerated alarm with view
to swinging public opinion their own
way, usually through course CT mis-.
representation exceeded in it's gross.
ness only by their astounding nerve.
We are hearing and reading daily OF
the curse OF drink" the road to
damnatlon," ruined homes" and a
score OF other sensational subjects
which are harped on by the prohl-
bitionist for the sake Of his self-or.
dained campaign, but are not borne
out by the facts as they would make
us believe.
But the prohibitionist is carefully
hiding the inevitable dlsagreeable re-
suits of prohibition and is not consid-
ering the matter In the way any ques-
ton should be considered, where both
sides are dealt with; he is rather
merely voicing a huge and unreason.
able protest against alcohol in gen.
eral. He is even cute enough to do
clare, by way of an aside. that the
prohibition fight is not fight against
the saloons. What then is II fight
against? Against the groceries, or the
drugstores?
This prohibition move makes me
think OF the Territory's endeavor ia
import suitable immigrant laborers
Hundreds OF RUSSIANS were imported
but they refuse to go TO work. How
are you going to make them work?
II will be the same with prohibition In
the remote event of Its becoming law.
Hawaii may get prohibition. but how
will Il be made to work? And. as far
as have been able to observe, there
will be more trouble crowding on the
heels of prohibition. by hundredfold
than was ever experienced with try
ing to handle the Russian immigrants
after they were brought here.
In the first place the very idea Of
| prohibition is resented by the people
at large. II expressions in the public
prints can be taken as indications. fol
even those who say they are willing
to have It tried" declare they are op
posed to the prohibition Idea. It 1.
as much as saying well, we doub
very much II It will accomplish an,
good, but, since we never haye haf
prohibition. why, let MS try it, By
| the same token, We have never hat
socialism. therefore why not let III
try It? Prohibition in the great coun
tries OF Europe would be considered
rank despotism. II Is an infringmen
of the rights OF the people and. Incl
dentally, where II Is the law In somt
parts Of the United States, It is IA
ineffective, with very few exceptions
as would be a prohibition Of writing
love-letters.
There Is also the business end o
the matter to be carefully considered
the large liquor interests of Honolulu
nearly all OF which conduct clean
honest business, on which business
hundreds are dependent for their live
lihood. .f-
These are but a few words to b.
taken as food for thought, to be con
sidered between now and the specia
election. In conclusion, would sa
that have never seen seaport tow
OF the sizesand importance Of Hone
lulu where there was such littl
drunkenness, so little crime and 80 III
tie unhappiness. 1t is remarkable
Honolulu deserves the title Of Goo
town" II any city lever did. Person
ally, about all | ever drink Is littl
ale or porter with my meals, but | d
, not see why others should not drin
4 -, n.