The Hawaiian gazette., 1910-03-11
HAWAIIAN AFFAIRS AS
DISCUSSED IN WASHINGTON
Senator Depew the Originator Of the PIebiscite
dea---Coastwisc Suspension Campaign
Delayed.

had felt compelled 10 affirmatively veto
enactments by the territorial legisla.
lures of Arizona and New Mexico, but
the Hawaiian legislature had always
proceeded so well that no such action
by congress had ever been thought
necessary.
They also enlarged upon the action
of the territorial legislature in 1907 in
placing the whole matter of liquor Ii.
censes in the hands of commissioners,
who were given large authority. These
| commissioners were appointed by the
Governor of Hawaii, who was directly
responsible to the President. These
commissioners could withhold licenses;
in fact, had almost absolute power
over the traffic. They read kilograms
from the Governor. advising against
the proposed legislation till after the
Legislature had had another opportun-
| ity to meet the situation. Similar tele-
| grams were also read from the bar as.
ISOLATION, chamber of commerce and the
merchants association.
The contentious of Mr.. Woolley and
| Mr.. Dinwiddie were that conditions in
regard to the liquor traffic in Hawaii
were particularly bad. An idea pre-
vailed with the senate committee that
the liquor interests in Hawaii had
overstepped the proper bounds and that
something should be done either by
| congress or by the territorial legisla
| ture TO restrain those interests. This
idea was urged both by Mr. Woolley
and Mr.. Dinwiddie, and made an i'm.
preston upon the senators.
Immediately on Senator Depew's re-
turn he expects to have the resolution
for a pebiscite drawn up and present.
ed in the senate. AS outlined, it meets
with the full approval of all concerned
including Mr.. Woolley. But an opin.
ion prevails here that if Hawaii votes
for prohibition at the special election
and the legislature should attempt to
defeat the enactment of a prohibition
law congress would then feel justified
in enacting a prohibition law for the
| Territory on its own initiative.
The cablegram of women's associa.
tions, headed by Mrs. Frear, wife of
the governor, petitioning that women
be allowed the right to vote upon the
prohibition question, was considered
but does not meet with approval. Dele,
I, gate Kalanianaole and Mr.. Woolley
| are DOIH dpTeeu lndU III WOulu De un'
wise to attach any such a provision to
the resolution. The success of the reso.
/ luton in the senate might be endangered
thereby. Congress has never passed
upon the question of woman suffrage
in any form, it is said, and the linking
of that question with the Hawaiian
resolution would probably lead to much
agitation and discussion.
Mr., Mcclellan today alluded to the
criticism of himself and the Delegat,
for not itstriking at once' for the sus
pension of the coastwise shipping laws
4 cit is only fair TO remember" sale
Mr.. Mcclellan, "that the merchants
association, the chamber of commerce
and the legislature, at one time, went
i on record against such an enactment
The fact embarrasses us in our efforts
now. The Delegate and myself have
been in frequent consultation with oui
friends in the house over this matter
They have advised us to wait little
till the time is more opportune. We
are biding that opportunity and hope
to accomplish something before thu
session is over.
"President Taft has several meas
nres before congress, added Mr.. Nc
Clellan, "but he has been unable thu
far, although he has pressed thos
bills earnestly, to get any of them en-
acted into law"