The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1881-07-06

late Chief Justice. MIR. Harris was edu-
Gated, first, at his fathers school at Ports
mouth, whence he went to Harvard and
there graduated in 1911 On leaving col
lege he commenced the study of law, and
was, we believe, classmate of Ex-Presl--
dent Hayes In his leisure time he taught
school In his native city and finally OBJ
tanned a position in the Chauncy Hall
School in Boston where he remained some
time. When the great rush to California
in '49 came Mr.. Harris was seized by the
wave, and leaving his family in Ports
mouth. Che had married his cousin in JAN,
IS44,) he came out across the isthmus he
was joined shortly after by his two broth
ers. who were masters of vessels, but who
in the desire to get out to the land of
gold. had come round the Horn before the
mast. The three brothers joined together
in running a schooner, which they pur-
chased. trading in produce; finally it was
decided to come down here for provisions.
On arrival at the islands Mr. Harris told
his brothers that the schooner was too
small to support the three of them, that he
would resign his share in her and begin
practicing law on these islands this was
in the wear 1850. In a short time he OBJ
tanned quite an extensive practice, he also
engaged somewhat in mercantile specula-
ton and schemes for developing the
resources of the islands with considerable
success. He soon began to take promi-
nent part in the politics of the country
and during the reign of Kamehameha ~,
was a strong supporter of an opposition
to the then administration. About 1851 he
occupied his first government position that
of Police Magistrate. On the accession of
Kamehameha Y. he first entered the
Cabinet as Attorney General and was the
chief adviser of that monarch in all the
important Constitutional changes which
were made On the death of Mr.. Wyllie,
Mons de Varigny became Foreign
Minister and Mr.. Harris took the Finance
Office, which he retained till the resigna
ton and retirement of Mons. de Varigny,
when he became Minister of Foreign
Affairs. This post he filed to within a
year of the death of the King, when, ow-
ing to a split in the Cabinet he resigned
and never again occupied Ministerial
position He now resumed the practice of
law, remaining in a private position during
Lunalilo's short reign. In February, 1874,
shortly after the accession of our present
Sovereign, Mr. Harris was appointed First
Associate Justice, and in February, 1877,
upon the retirement of Mr. Allen, he be
came Chief Justice of the Kingdom.
It has not been our purpose to give
more than the barest outline of the life of
Mr. Harris, nor is it our purpose, for this
is not the time, to comment upon his policy
during his occupation of his various pub
lie positions. We can only say that by the
death of this gentleman Hawaii has lost
one of her main props; she has lost firm
friend her Sovereign and his government
have lost judicious and able adviser,
whose place politically it will be impossi-
bic to fill: the late ChiefJustice's acquain-
tance with all the threads of government
policy for nearly twenty years, his excel
lent memory, his frInness and decision
rendered him invaluable. His advice was
freely and promptly given, in health and
out of health. We may safely say that
hardly any important measure has been
undertaken by this country since he be-
came connected with the government that
he did not leave the impress of his mind
upon. Mr.. Harris was the last link which
bound us to the traditions of the past, to
the administrations OF the Kamehamehas
under Judd, Wyllie, and the men who
worked hard to give this country the indie
pendence it now enjoys.
We know that many will mourn Mr..
Harris as faithful friend, a kindly adviser
many man in this community owes his
success at the present day to his advice
and assistance. Strong of will, of indomi-
table courage, both moral and physical, of
great mental capacity, one Of the greatest
OF Hawaii nei's adopted children has
passed away Looking over his career we
can truly say with Archbishop Manning
" the character is the will, for what we uM