The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1881-07-09
DEATH OF THE CHIEF JUSTICE.

Hon. CHARLES COFFIN HARRIS, Chief
Justice of the Supreme Court and Chancel-
|lOr of the Kingdom, died at his residence,
Waikiki, on the I'd inst, about half past .
II. NJ. The Judge was complaining in the
morning Of the effects of what he regarded
las a slight Indigestion; but he continued
his usual exercise, and rounds about the
house, during the forepart of the day. His
unpleasant symptoms had passed away,
land he was conversing with his brother
Iin-Iaw, Col. Allen, and Mrs. Allen;
Inc reclining upon the bed, about the hour
stated, and was chatting pleasantly, and in
Ia ~jOcuIar way, as customary with him,
when he paused in his talk, drew a deep
breath, gave a %convulsive shudder, and.
without a word or a groan. the spirit of the
Chief Justice had passed away.
The deceased had been attacked about.
three years & by a partial paralysis,
the effects of which were manifest on his.
|persOn. and occasioned a feeling of appre-
that another stroke might prove
However, he had maintained a firm
land r~esolute bearing, till, recently, the
serious iIl-health of Mrs. Harris affected
her partner; and her grave and critical con-
no doubt contributed to the influ-
that hasteIed his demise.
JUDGE HARRIS has filed a large space in
Hawaiian politics and history. He was a
.jurist of ability, n far-sighted politician,
and a man of remarkable will, energy and
His fearlessness was conspicuous
many occasions; and especially so on
the occasion of the great riot at the Court
House, ut the time of the accession of
king Kalakaua. We differed very much
with the deceased on many questions of
public policy; but we always entertained
a high respect for the views and discussions
'Of a man. who brought to the consideration
'of al public questions, an extens'"
ling, an enlarged public ~-s"eSI,e learn
remarkable dete-r spirit, and a
WING Inflammation of purpose.
? JUDGE HARRIS had been for many years
the strong and leading man in all promi-
luent questions of Hawaiian Governmental
lpolicy. His departure ave n notable void;
and il will be well for this Kingdom that
his place may be filed by n man of the
same ability and force of character.
Judge HAEEIs, who was a native Of New
L. :. A., arrived in this Kingdom
lon 2Gth August. 1850 in the American schooner
ISuaTtaeuS. cbulllsilltt ~ LIS AChAt ~
A.. Harris. and Immediately commenced
the practice Of his profession as a lawyer.
I'm the first case in which lie appeared at the
bar Of the Supreme Court, he defended the Cap
It,in of a iorcha, who was charged with cutting
and manning a mutinous mate on the voyage
here from some Asiatic port. and on that oeea-
sion gave evidence Of the ability for which he
afterwards came to be held in repute. He
irapidIv acquired a knowledge Of the language
and customs Of his adopted country, which was
Invaluable TO him, and to the many suitors
whose affairs he was called upon to deal with
AS advocate, Minister or Judge.
He was appointed Police Magistrate Of Homo
.IpIu abont a wear after his arrival. He devoted
mis- attention assiduously to the acquisition of
/, knowledge Of the Hawaiian language and
after n time. when a law was passed, framed and
advocated bv him. which required that the
Advocate General or Crown Solicitor should be
conversant with the Hawaiian language, which
the then incumbent of the office, Mr.. Asher B.
Bates. did not have, and consequently had to
resign Mr.. Harris succeeded him in the position.
His first cabinet position was that of Attorney
General. conferred upon him by KANrEHAMEHA V.
He had been the adviser of that monarch, and
had himself framed the Constitution Promulga-
TOD IN 1864 bv which the Office OF Attorney
General was created. BY this Constitution
the Attornev-General was made q member
LOT the Cabinet. and very naturally Mr..
H.nrrs became the first incumbent of the
office. During the following eight years the late
Chief Justice held at different times other
ministerial offices, having held in succession the
loaiees Of Minister Of Foreign Affairs. and
49,; 90 Fiu,pce In 1912 there was p