The San Francisco call., 1899-07-05
HAWAII HAS A.
BAR ASSOCIATION
A | empOrary Organiza-
ton Effected.
Correspondence Of The Call.

HONOLULU. June 27.-For some years
past fruitless attempts have been
made to organize a bar association for
the Hawaiian Islands, but on Saturday
fected with Judge J. NJ. Davidson as
chairman and Mr.. Case as secretary, and
permanent organizatio will follow this
week.
About one-fourth Of the bar were pres
ent, but they were principally gentlemen
who have but recently arrived, very few
being of ten years standing at the bar
1t is generally accepted, however, that
the entire bar Is in sympathy with the
movement.
An unexpected incident was the intro
duction of voIuminous preamble and
resolution by George D. Gear Of the Cali
fornian bar, petitioning Congress on the
part Of the Hawaiian bar against the pro-
vision of the Commissioners bill in Con-
gress for the future government of Ha-
wall, providing for the retention in office
of the Justices of the Supreme Court and
the Judges of the Circuit Court for prac-
Qcally life tenure. After hot debate
the matter was postponed until the next
meeting. The recent opinions Of the Su-
preme Court holding that the constitution
Of the United States Is not operative in
Hawaii is at the bottom Of the movement,
which is supported by local journals de-
nouncing the bench as reasonable and
traitOrous.
George D. Gear brought up the sub
jeCt of petitioning the President of the
United States to strike out certain pro-
visions in the Hawaiian enabling act re-
latng to the local judiciary, and offered
the following resolutions:
Whereas. The commission appointed by the
President of the United States to recommend
to Congress legislation concerning the Ha-
waiian Islands, under the provisions of the
joint resolution of Congress. approved July I,
1895 in their report contained in Senate docu-
ment No. Is OF the Fitty-ffth Congress at the
third session thereof, have recommended that
the civil laws in Section 1852. Chnpter 81. shall
''ll62 The Supreme Court shall consist OF
Chief Justice and two Associate Justices, pro-
vIdcd, however, that the existing Justices OF
the Supreme Court shall exercise their func
tOnS Justices OF the Supreme Court under
the provisions of this chapter according to
their constitutional tenure of Office" And in
States by MIR. Cullom, in the F'ifty-ffth Con-
gress at the third session thereof being Sen
Der o. 1898, being entitled "a bill to provide
government for the Territory of Hawaii 1t is
appointment. removal. tenure and salaries of
officers, that among other things, 'All persons
time this act takes effect shall, except as
herein otherwise provided, continue 70 hold
come vacant, but not beyond the end Of the
first session Of the Senate unless reappointed
Associate Justices Of the supreme Court ana
the Judges of the Circuit Courts. who shall con-
tinue In office until their respective Offices be-
Whereas, In the bill introduced in the House
Of Representatives by Mr.. Hit, IN the Fifty
fifth Congress at the third session thereof, being
House bill No. 10 800 reported with amendments
January q. 1899, being entitled a bill TO pro-
vide a government for the Territory of Ha-
wall" a similar provision is contained in
Senate bill 1893.
Resolved, That We the Bar Association Of the
Hawaiian Islands, deprecate any proposed
Jurisdiction in the action of Congress dscrlni-
mating in favor of the present judicial officers
as against all the other officers Of the Govern
ment SO to continue all the present incum-
bents Of the Supreme Court in office for life
and to continue all the present Judges Of the
Circuit Court in office during their term of
office irrespective of any new appointment such
is required in the case of all other Offices
Of the Hawaiian Government, and
Resolved, That we request the Senate and
House Of Representatives. of the United States
OF America in Congress assembled TO strike out
from the proposed bills the parts thereof con-
tinuing such present Judges in office. and that
the Judges be not excepted from the operation
other officers.
George A Davis, F. W. Hankey, George
Gear, A. 8. Humphreys and others spoke
in favor of the resolutions. E. P Dole
and A. B. McClanahan favored a more
representative meeting. The matter was
important and should be discussed and
acted upon by the whole bar. Mr.. Hum
phreys was willing to carry the matter
over. On motion 1t was deferred to an
other conference to be held Wednesday
afternoon.
Mr. Gear gave notice Of his intention to
introduce a resolution requesting Presi-
dent Mckinley to secure from the Attor-
ney General a ruling on recent decisions
certain amendments to the constitution
~ ha TTnited Statea fDODereffV hare