The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1899-08-29
FURTHER INQUIRY.

The death of the Chinaman in Koolau
last week is to be made the subject of
further investigation. Attention to this
matter was called in The Star of Sat
urday. There certainly was reason for
further investigation. The coroner's
jury was dissatisfied and refused to
give a verdict, but according to report
gave one purely to get rid of the case"
1t must be presumed that coroner's ju-
ries in this Territory do not know their
powers, and that there should be no
surprise at the verdict given. In the
state of uncertainty which the jurymen
were in, the proper verdict would have
been that deceased came to his death,
either through some persons unknown,
or through circumstances unknown.
The verdict returned was one of sui
eide.
In speaking of the case last Saturday
it was made apparent that the motives
for suicide were by no means clear
That others might find it convenient to
put away an important witness was ar
gued as possible. The contention of the
Chinese Consul General is that the de-
ceased came to his death in consequence
of blow given by policeman in raid
upon an opium den or gambling OUTFIT.
Whatever the upshot of the investiga-
ton may be, the results will show, but
the point is that further investigation
will be undertaken.
There is one thing which comes out
clear, and that is that unless there had
been a coroner's inquest this present
investigation would never have been
held. The Star believes in the sanctity
of human life and the necessity for in
vestigation when such a death occurs.
Had there been no cOroner's inquest,
the facts which are now known would
not have come to the surface. The cor
oner's inquest brought forth evidence
which is guiding men upon further
quest. In point of fact the coroners In
quest gives the opportunity for publ
( city, and it is publicity which is the safe
guard of the public.
! In course Of time coroner's juries will
| learn their duties and will begin to feel
their own power to investigate, and
there will be no verdict of suicide given
to get rid of the case" 1t is something
to have got corOner's juries. A year or
so ago there would have been no cor
Oner's jury, and the unfortunate man
would have been hustled underground.
The fact that a jury was held brought
about the airing of the matter in the
public press, and the latter has brought
about the present complaint of the Chi
nese Consul General.
CorOners juries are already begin
ming to make a return from the invest
ment made in them by fees, against
which there was so vigorous a kick
made in the last Legislature. The econ
omists objected to so much money being
spent. AS a fact the fees on juries are
well spent. What The Star hopes to see
is the legal investigation of every sud
den death, no matter when or how it oc-
ours. 1t was only the other day that a
gentleman, visiting Lord Russell, the
Lord Chief Justice of England, died
suddenly. The cause of death was clear,
apOplexy. But neither the fact that the
death occurred in the house of the high
est legal officer of the kingdom, nor
that it was clear why death occurred,
prevented an inquest. We are on the
right path now, it remains for our off,
Gals to continue on it.