Saturday press. [volume] (Honolulu, H.I.) 1880-1885, 1881-04-02
Examination Of the Petitioners.

McCully. and Hons G. II. Bishop, s. X. Kaai and
J. NJ. Kapena, of the Privy Council. wegive sub
joined in condensed form the substance Of what
was said by the several petitioners in reply to
questions from the committee Mr.. J. M. David
stated that he was requested to appear for the
petitioners Mr. Harris said that these men have
not been accused and need no counsel and that he
might appear for the condemned man.
Rev. Father Larkin the first signer called, said
have not seen this condemned l know Of
some mitigating circumstances heard that the
man did not bave the assistance of medical man
and that his mental condition not examined
at the trial. do not think that every man that
commits murder is insane. Have seen this
man, but have heard OF his previous history from
Mr.. A. Spencer. Did not learn If he was married
and did not ask If the woman was his wife. Heard
that he had her parents consent. Heard that his
neighbors chafed him about his rival being
younger than he. Mr.. Larkin said he questioned
the authority of the committee, it not being a
judicial assemblage That he questioned his neces-
sity of complying with the letter circular, which
WAS very informal and he was not to be questioned
IN such a manner.
Mr. Judd referred him to the Constitution and
the power of the body.
ARTICLE % of the Constitution reads: "The
King, by and with the advice and consent Of his
Privy Council, has the power to grant reprieves
and pardons, after conviction, for all ofenses,
except in of Impeachment.
Father Larkin stated that he considers that all
persons who commit suicide are insane. | hear
that the facts have narrated were not adluced at
tho trial before the jury. DR.. Webb, man ac-
customed to the examination of the insane, will
say that he was insane. Mr. Spencer spoke to me
the evening before he was to be hung and drew
tho petition up. understood that the question Of
tho mans insanity was not put to the jury. Many
OF those who signed the petition were intimidatcd
by officials. i say whether through accident or
otherwise he was deprived of the assistance of n
medical man. admit that was the originator OF
this matter. am quite shocked at the questions
asked of officials to them. l did all that | have
done the promise that medical certificate
would be had that the man was insane. l did 1t
merely out of q philanthropic and Christian idea,
DIR. Webb said My reason for signing the petit
ton was because believed the man to be insane.
have not seen hip, Have had this belief ever
since the trial. Said that wouldn't be willing to
give certificate without examination. Don't be-
lieve that all men are insane who commit homi-
eide: The simpe fact Of trying to take his own
life is one fact to show that the man WAS insane.
j. M. Lawlor said Signed this petition on the
statement of Father Larkin and DIR. Webb stimuli
the country forty eight hours at the time. Simply
signed it as an act of charity. supposing that the
facts were true and known since the trial.
Ashford Spencer said Was present at the trial
Of Polua. don't know of any circumstances bet
ter known now than at the trial. Think the man
was insane. He cut his finger ana didn't feel 1t
and he said that was why he cut his throat. Did
not tell Father Larkin the woman was his wife.
He told me he was to be married to the woman:
heard that DR.. Webb had examined him and said
that he was insane. Think from his deliberate
manner of preparing to kill both himself and the
woman that he was insane. His manner OF talk
before and after the trial did not indicate to me
that he insane. No one has intmidated me
Mr. a. g. Smith said: did not sign the petit
ton. Never saw petition and would not have
signed it If had. Have no idea who signed it.
L. A. Pierce: Was prompted to sign the petit
ton by statement of a medical man that he was
insane. DIR. Webb said SO. know Of no facts or
circumstances in regard 10 the case. Was not
aware at the time of signing the petition that DIR.
Webb had not seen the man.
| F. Hayselden said Was one of the signers OF
the petition. Signed it because thought he was
| insane and that was doing humane act. The
| fact that he was keeping a woman not his wife,
killed her and attempted to kill himself, induced
me to believe that he was insane, or temporarily
deranged.
| George Williams: II was explained to me that
| there were extenuating circumstances. Was called
in to the Advertiser Office when passing by and
| asked to sign. Know nothing about the case or
man. Am not opposed to capital punishment. II
on on Thursday, it was murder. Should say it was
premedItated murder If he took proper precaution,
bought q knife and sharpened it, etc.
| Mr.. Webb: Signed this petition on being in
formed that Mexican had been recently repreved.
| Was also told that there were great doubts as to
| his sanity Heard that the circumstances OF the
in regard to this case think that it is insane
| talk when man speaks of killing his mistress and
she would go to heaven. think that this investi-
cation is irregular and not in regard to authority,
but in regard to precedent
F. Godfrey: Have no further facts than hear
say that the man was insane Signed 1t out OF
| mercy.
| Mr. Luning: 1t WAS msrepresented to me that
the woman was his wife. Am sorry that signed it:
". A; Kinney / signed the petition on general
y,rtp mt n lepfyhn laaa
human being. Have heard stories about the case,
but they did not influence me. consider this the
the result of it. The law protects liquor and toi.
crates it, Believe in punishment, but not in capital
punishment.
of natives that he was not in his right mind, al
though not actually crazy. He was mad in seeing
this woman carry on in front OF him with her
paramour. Was not at trial and never read evil
dence. The natives look upon their mistress as
upon their wives. Newspapers stated the case and
made up my mind from that and outside infor-
nation. Have not seen the man.
Walter Russell DO not know circumstances in
reference to this man. Signed petition because I
am opposed to capital punishment Statement in
of age. nhT Fetn
Abraham Bolster: Have signed petition. Was
informed that the man was insane when he COM
mitted the deed. Have not seen him. Was in
formed by reports circulated about town. Think
it is wrong to hang criminal. Know Of no facts
whatever.
ii. l.. Sheldon Am one of the signers of the
petition Only read last two lines OF petition when
signed it. Know nothing in regard to the man.
Have not seen him. Know OF no reliable facts
J that can form judgment upon. Have conscien-
tious scruples against capital punishment. Know
OF no facts. My motive was that 1t was adding to
popular petition.
Captain Jackson: Am one of the signers Saw
petition and placard. Heard that the man murdered
his wife; had great provocation and was insane.
Heard that many leading men had signed. DO not
think should have signed it IL l had known that
the woman was not his wife. Simply signed y ~
an act Of mercy as all the others were doing Was
not aware of anything connected with the trial.
Mr.. Goodale Armstrong; Do not know Of any
facts concerning case-nothing but what was re-
ported 70 me at the hotel. Mr.. Hayselden, DR..
Webb and three or four others told me something.
. Do not think that heard him say that the man
was crazy, but heard that he had said It, Have
! nothing more to say. iN
L. A. Williams; Do not know anything Of cir
cuInstances OF case, but 1t represented 10 me
that there was important evidence which could be
| produced that was not brought forward at the
i Trial. Ashford spencer told me there Was such
. evidence. He had the petition. Do not know of
anything In regard TO the man. Only signed AZ =
matter Of c,mmissration and 70 prevent sentence
! being carried out. Hif
William johnson: Do not think l know Of any
circumstances in connection with the case. I'm
der th0 m DrOvok0d by HeoiuQ th0