The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1869-07-17
The Recent Appointment.

On Saturday, Sunday and Monday last it was
bruited about town that Mr.. III. n. WIDENANN,
clerk of the Interior Department, had been ap-
pointed to fill the vacancy occasioned by the
resignation OF Mr.. JAMES w. AusrIs, as second
Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, and ON
Tuesday the rumor was verified by Judge Wide
mann's taking his place upon the bench.
Ii is needless for ms to say that the appoint
ment caused universal astonishment which has
yielded to a general feeling of distrust and alarm
Such of our foreign residents rs have not the now
doubtful honor of being Hawaiian citizens. but
who have large pecuniary interests ut stake, have
felt that while they have an interest in the local
politics of the kingdom, as every good citizen
should have, yet they have not taken an active
part when measures have passed which they did
not approve, because they have felt that so long
as the Supreme Court was maintained in its puri-
ty, honor and integrity, their rights were secure.
but now they do feel alarmed. This is and should
be the feeling of every individual in the kingdom.
so tar as the Bar is concerned it has received
an open insult and challenge, which it may or
may not choose to take action on. Had the gen.
tlemen composing 1t seen fit to have turned their
backs upon the court, and left the building ON
the occasion of the new incumbent taking his scat,
it would have been n well-merited rcbuke to the
appointing power and we believe they would have
been sustained by the voice of the community.
The utter disregard of the requirements hitherto
supposed to be essential in n person called to such
n position is only equallcd by the assurance of the
individual who has accepted it. Ofhis legal attain
ments, If indeed he possesses any, our community
have certainly no knowledge. OF his bitter par
tisanship those who are acquainted with him need
not be told. That he is concerned i'm many and
various business spcculations, from running n
billiard table to n sugar plantation, the columns
Of the Gazette give ample evidence and should
questions concerning labor contracts, land titles,
water rights and in fact almost any transaction in
which property is involved, arise, can he be a dsin-
Lerested or impartial Judge? Is he placed upon the
bench because of his various interests and from
his known sympathy for anything affecting them?
First we have n constitution ruthlcssly set
aside, an act which has done more to unsettle our
national credit and reputation than the ministry
and its friends arc likely to acknowledge, now
by an act still more indefcnsible, as it
tampers with the power that interprcts the con-
and administers the laws of the land.
Ever since the establishment of our Supreme
tOuEi Oh iS IItrtlt DsSIs uHtil HOW VIC n1Nc Ielt,
in common with others. n national pride in it,
and have from time to time counscled tbs preserv-
alton OF its purity and high character Mt whatever
might be necessary, rs it is the corner
stone of personal liberty and commercial pros
pcrity. The Importance. therefore, of preserving
its character unimpeachablc should have been
weighed before such an appointment was made
that might tend, in any degree, to shake public
in it, as has been the case. Every
loyal Hawaiian must regret to sec the court used,
Is in this instance, for political preferment rather
han for the true welfare of the people and seat
,n the bench offered as n reward for subserviency
merit, instead Of being held up as the
goal for diligent legal study and requirements.
Of what use is n legal education and long practice
1t the bar, when n ministerial iayorite, without
requisite, may be promoted to fill n posi-
ioa for which these alone can qualify him?