The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1899-03-17
MIR. SMITHS RESIGNATION.

The single fact that the Attorney
General mas resigned calls for no com
ment beyond that which presents a
full and cordial recognition Of his
long. valuable and unstinted services
TO the government and people. This
comment will be made hereafter.
1T is most unfortunate incident
that he peremptorily demanded an ac-
ceptance Of his resignation for a long
time in President Dole's hands, be-
cause of an attack upon himself and
upon Mr.. Dole 10y a member Of the
Executive Council.
We cannot state, because We are not
fully informed Of the reasons which
caused this attack. There must have
been, of course, some strong provoca-
ton that influenced this .'wheel-hOrse"
of the government to suddenly refuse
to pull any longer with his fellows.
The only public report on the details
OF any differences in the Cabinet is
that which appeared several days
ing an interview with one Of Mr.. Da-
mons intimates, and in which dra-
matte scene in the Executive chamber
was described, apparently 'tby author
ity,' and in which Mr.. Damon repre-
senting Goodness, denounced Mr.. Dole.
as representing Wickedness. The cor
rectness of the description is reaffrm-
ed by the journal that published it.
AS Mr.. Damon does not contradict
DIT, 1t may be assumed that he for some
good reason endorses the correctness
of the account. Even if he does not
usually notice newspaper stories" his
omission to notice this story, under
the circumstances of it's publication,
permits and really forces the conclu-
sion that he endorses it.
Neither President Dole nor MFR. Smith
can contradict the statements made
without precipitating that most irrita-
ting and useless OF all controversies,
that of the newspaper.
We have suspicion that the report
OF that stirring scene in the Executive
chamber, during which President Dole
displayed very low morals, and Min
lister Damon manifested very high
morals, was ''doctored'' somewhere
and by somebody, in order TO beat
Dole in the assaults made upon him
by Mr. Sewall and his friends. The
event gives Mr.. Sewall's organ great
delight If it was "doctored' by some
INSCRIPTIONS hand, Minister Damon
should so state. 1t is not an uncom-
mon event for Cabinet Ministers to
correct statements which really mis-
lead the public.
If, however it is true that Minister
Damon was forced to disinfect. Presi-
dent Dole's moral mature, which ap-
pears, if the statements are correct, TO
have been infested with microbes of
sin, it must he sincerely regretted that
after so long a period of service Mr..
Damon has found that his old col
leagues are unworthy of trust. In this
belief. he may shake hands cordially
with MIR. Sewall. How the idols fall!
No one knows more about the virtues
and faults of his colleagues than Mr..
Damon. He has himself done long,
faithful and most valuable services for
the people, He is entitled to their last
ing gratitude and respect. The ,Ad-
vertiser cannot permit any one to
claim a larger appreciation Of those
services If, in the discharge Of his
duty as public man and responsible
o,icer. he must denounce his old col
leagues and expose their true charac,
ter as intriguers, and selfish men, i
is to be profoundly regretted that III
is their "exe cutioner." Chief Justice
Shaw of Massachusetts, said the mos
nainful moment of his life occurred
when he sentenced his old college
friend. Prof Webster, to be hung To-
murder. 1t is in the discharge of dut.
under painful circumstances that in
dictates infieXible strength Of character