Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1910-03-16
SPEECH ON LIQUOR

Mr.. Mcclellan. They are appoint
ed by the Governor.
Now, want to take up the ques-
ton of the character and the work
Of the Hawaiian Legislature, because
that is directly involved in this
question. Is the Legislature OF the
Territory OF Hawaii capable OF leg
islating intelligently for the COM
munity or Is It, in fact, dominated
by the liquor interests to predom-
mating extent, as Is claimed by the
proponents OF this bill? call your
attention, gentlemen. to these facts
with regard to the Legislature:
First. that since annexation the
Legislature has passed, and has
shown its capacity to legislate by
passing, satisfactory bills to estab-
lish county and municipal govern
ment.
In the second place-and this Is
no small matter--it has passed an
income-tax law which has stood the
rtest of the United states Supreme
Court, which is a feat that has not
been achieved by considerable
number OF States that have attempt
ed similar legislation.
The Chairman. Or by the Con-
gress of the United States. Laugh
teri
Mr.. Mcclellan. would further
call your attention to the fact that
the Legislature has carried on the
financial and fiscal affairs Of the Ter
ritory In such satisfactory way
that the bonds OF the Territory are
now issued at 1-2 per cent. and
are eagerly sought by Eastern in
vestors as one of the strongest and
most conservative investments they
can make. That certainly would
not be the case II there was any idea
that the Legislature of the Terri
tory OF Hawaii was of wildcat
or irresponsible character.
have already stated that the Leg
islature passed this liquor law
which has reduced the number Of
arrests for drunkenness by 10 pei
cent. with an increasing population
would add. further. that the en-.
tire work Of the Legislature hal
shown a high degree OF freedom from
any malign influence and from tn
criticism which has often been at
portant States of the Union.
In other words, gentlemen. ! wan
to say that the work OF the Legisla
ture Of the Territory of Hawaii
taken AZ a whole during the tel
years since annexation, has been o
very substantial, satisfactory an,
high order.
wish to call your attention I
this fact, In proof of what hav
said. During the last twenty-fiv
years there have been a number Q
cases in which laws passed by tn
various Territorial Legislatures hav
been distinctly and afirmatively re
pealed by the Congress because Q
their undesirable character, but I
the case OF the Territory Of Hawa
no law passed since annexation ha
ever been Questioned by the Cor
gress. wish to call your after
ton to the further fact that Cor
gress, In the establishment OF tn
Territory OF Hawaii. not only CAV
US certain powers which were broad
er than ever have been given to an
other Territorial organization, bl
In two instances since that time the
have extended and broadened thoi
powers of self-government, and
no case have they lessened then
This Is the first occasion on whiC
the charge has been brought tn,
the Territory of Hawaii Is incapab
Of self-government.
Mr.. Woolley. I have not mac
such charge. None Of us has.
Mr.. Mcclellan. The charge ce
tainly amounts to that. The del
mite statement of Mr.. Wooiiey
that lthe Territory Is incapable ,
4 satisfactory self-government with r
spect to liquor legislation.
Senator Piles. How Is your Lei
islature divided among the nativ
and the white or foreign popul
ton?
Mr.. Mcclellan. The membersh
Of the Legislature, as q rule, h
had majority of Hawaiians.
Senator Piles. In both branche
senate and house?
Mr.. Mcclellan. Not always in Il
Senate. think the Anglo-Saxol
had majority in, the last Senat
did they not?
Delegate Kalanianaole. Yes.
Mr.. Mcclellan. But in the low
house the Hawaiians have had
majority.
Mr.. Dinwiddie. How many mer
bers are there-9 and IS?
Mr.. Mcclellan. There are /
members of the senste and 80 mer
bers OF the House.
Senator Piles. Are the natl
members of the Legislature general
property owners, or what kind
people are they-what character
people are they?
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