The Independent. [volume] (Honolulu, H.I.) 1895-1905, 1898-11-09
CORRESPONDENTS
The Captain Talks
Hon oLULU, H. l., Nov. 8, 1898.
ED. The INDEpENDENT:-

4
Marshal Browns Experience with
Capt ain" / am not given to letter
writing do not desire a newspaper
controversy, and have very few
spare moments, neither do | wish to
critcise, or take a stand against
public official. But the honorable
judge whom | esteem very highly,
for, during my brief stay in the
Courtroom he showed himself a
Judge and a man-"according to my
own heart, and few good friends
l have made during my brief stay in
this lovely city, are entitled to know
the true story in full, all the facts in
the case. do not want to boast to
set myself Alright in the eyes OF the
public or even excuse any OF my
actions; for man judging his own
actions either through newspaper
or otherwise constitutes a poor dis.
penser of justice; therefore, hope
you will allow me a brief space in
your valuable paper leaving all con-
clusious, differences, deductions and
6nal judgment to those who care
for the facts only and nothing else.
Last Friday night, between 8 and
8 o'clock, on my way to camp, Lieut..
Decker, the Provost of the Mounted
Guard, stopped me on the street; be-
told me about two recruits having
been arrested for having had an
| alteration with Japanese; that
through the officious behavior of an
otficer-whom | afterwards learned
to have been Officer Espinda-they
got into trouble with the police; that
they are now arrested, probably will
get the soup poured into them, as
the police had it in for the boys
anyway, and the Marshal was Just
waiting for such chance to do it.
He stated that he had had very
little experience in such matters,
that he did not know just exactly
what his rights we're, that he did not
want to make any mistakes, and ask
ed me whether | thought be should
make demand for the boys aud
compel the Marshal to give them
mn I ,ava ~ .u INV N n;nion that in
this case under the circumstances |
would try by kindness, persuasion
and policy to get the boys out Of the
clutches of the police. Whereupon
the lieutenant asked me whether |
would not be kind enough to go
with HIM to the Marshal to see what
could be done; | somewhat reluc-
family consented and went with him
to the Police Station.
We asked for the Marshal, who
granted US an interview in his private
office which ended with the follow
ing express understanding between
us: If We can get the two boys to
enter plea OF guilty at 8 o'clock
the following morning, the Judge
would impose a nominal fine, and
the Marshal would sus pend sentence
so as to give the boys chance to go
on board thu Arizona to Manila"
We then went to jail where | had an
interview with the boys who we're
very wrathy at the unjust, brutal and
uuwarranted treatment they had re-
ceived at the hands of the police
(their own statement), they wanted
to stay in Jail, have the matter fully
investigated aud the policeman
brought to time. After cautioning
them that they we're in strange
country with an organized force
against them, the machinery all in
the hands OF their euemy that they
stood little chance, that it would
take time and cost them money, that
they would gain unfavorable COM
ment and cheap notoriety which
would reflect upon them, their State
and the volunteers in general they
consented. The Marshal agreed to let
them go with me under the arrange
ment made, At 9 o'clock the follow
ing morning | came to the Court
room, was given seat and for
about an hour or an tha Marshal