The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1896-04-16
House.


Minister Cooper replied to the
question of Rep. Hanuna relative
to the Hawaiian National Band.
! The Government was not paying
the band and members had moi
taken the oath.
Bill No. II to provide punish
ment for libidinous solicitations and
procuring passed third reading UNI
animously.
Bill No. 20 amending the law re-
lative to the commissioners of pri-
vate ways and water rights also
passed third reading.
Rep Kaeo propounded the
following questions to the Attor-
ney General:
I. Why has the Attorney
Generals department Disseminated
against the Portuguese, in the mat
ter of the late row on Punchbowl
and Emma streets. by requiring
bail of them and allowing Tricks
Nelson" the acknowledged origin
ator of the row to go without bail
OIL three charges'
2. Why has your department
entered nolle prosequi in the cases
of police officers Espinda and
Wells without investigation or
notice to counsel assisting the
prosecution, who were arrested
upon legal warrants issued by
Judge de la Vergne, of the District
Court of Honolulu?
Minister Smith said that he was
ready to answer the question. To
the first he would say that no dis
elimination had been made. Mel
son and the Portuguese were ar
rested under different charges.
Secondly, nothing has been done
against the officers pending
investigation, it being believed
that it would confuse matters if
warrants were issued by the whole
sale. There is nothing to prevent
proper prosecutions at the proper
time.
Rep. Kaeo asked the Minister
whether Tricks Nelson was al
lowed to 60 by his own recogniz-
ance.
Minister Smith could not say Of
his own knowledge. His crime was
light in comparison with that of the
Portuguese.
Rep. Robertson said that there
was considerable rowdyism and
ruffianism in the police department.
Many innocent people were pun
ished while the officers were allowed
to go scot free for the very reason
that the Acknowledgement took
the officers statement for
gospel truth. A case Of
ruffianism occurred only recently
when two reputable young men
were arrested at the circus and
marched down roughly to the
Station. After several appearances
the case was mol pros'd, and the
officers are still on the pay roll. To
show that the police can do almost
anything, he had witnessed poor
inebrate arrested on Sunday on
Kaahumanu street. AS a parting
shot the drunk was struck on the
back of the head at the entrance to
the Station. The officer was one
of those complained of in the ques-
tons propounded.
Minister Smith asked whether
the Speaker had reported the case
to the Attorney General or any of
the authorities.
Rep. Robertson did not think it
was his duty to do so. Three
other officers witnessed the brut
ality.
Minister Smith COP .inuing stated
that in the Punchbowl row there
were several respectable people as
witnesses. 1t was found from their
evidence that the officers did not ex-
coed their duties. The matter is
still under judicial investigation
and the utmost latitude will be
given to the case.
Rep, Kaeo propounded the fol-
lowing question to the Minister of
Foreign Affairs:
/. Has there been any cores
pondence between the American
Minister Resident A. S. Willis ard
the department OF Foreign Affairs,
Republic of Hawaii. on matters per-
tanning to any claim for damages
by Mr.. Frank Godfrey against the
Republic of Hawaii.
2. Has there been any CORE
spondence between the department
and the Secretary of State of the