The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1900-12-13
XANTIPPE.


a., The First Circuit Court has certainly
been distinguishing itself since it was
appointed. That the court has good
ideas even the courts critics will allow,
4hat the court is injudicious, that it
feels it's own dignity, where no one else
sees it, many of it's best friends will
agree The court has got into a frame
of mind somewhat similar to the typi-
cal Irishman, who was always "agin
it." The court, if it had its own way,
would make a clean sweep of every
thing now in existence, and would
leave us nothing but the first circuit
court to manage all Territorial affairs
In fact the court must sometimes in
the watches of the night murmur
Myself and Cod in a dreamy way as
it thinks over its address for the NOR
row.
The circuit court ever carries chip
on it's shoulder. 1t is forever thinking
that some one or other may be hurting
its dignity, and so it insists upon
even spectators appearing before it in
a coat, and then when it has had time
to consider it's folly RENTS the fine and
delivers lecture. Lord in heaven how
it lectures. One often wonders whether
it is modelling itself upon Cyrano de
Bergerac or the fellow Gascons of that
redoubtabe swordsman, and gasconad-
er, or whether it is Xantippe that sits
on the bench and rails at the nine
teenth century unfortunates who come
within ear shot of it, as that rather
unpleasant female used to rail at her
Greek spouse and his friends in the
long, long ago. Xantippe certainly
would have worn the breeks" had she
lived in this century so there is no rea-
son why we should not have a male
Xantippe in our First Circuit Court.
1t is a case of evolution. Given Kan
tin0e in the halcyon period Of Greece,
and you finally come to the First Cir
cult Court of the Territory of Hawaii
which can rail not only at its proto
tyne, but as a very termagant and
that comes in the course of evolution
during the middle ages.
The fact is our circuit court is no.
thing if it is not histrionic. 1t has so
many entities of the past rolled into
is one thing today and another thing
tomorrow, 1t jumps on baHff and
then INDUCES in a fling at the whole
judiciary. 1t says opinions have no
terrors' for it, and promptly changes
its opinions in many matters, notably
upon the matter of alimony in certain
divorce proceedings. 1t rules one way
today and another tomorrow, and it
plays to the gallery first last and every
time.
The circuit court has INDUCED in
many unpleasant and mean filings
against people who have earned a repu-
tatiOn for honesty, integrity and right
doing. It's last effort in this direction
has been against Henry Smith. Now
Henry Smith needs no defenders. He
has been connected with honorable and
brilliant jurists for years, and there
never has been a breath against his in
tegrity or his ability. Perhaps it is
because Mr.. Smith has been long con-
nected with court business that he is
displeasing to the court. Perhaps it is
because Mr.. Smith is an Hawaiian
There have been Hawaiians turned
down before now.
The letter of the court to Judge Little
in Hilo which was published in yester-
day afternoons Star was an insult To
Henry Smith and a ~ratuitous insult
to the Chief Justice. Mr.. Smith in a
letter to The Star denies that trust
funds" We're ever used in the manner
the court suggests, and he is prepared
to show his books in evidence. 1t looks
worked up to make a display. One
would like to know what private anC
confidential communication went tC
Judge Little along with the Courts
letter which has reached publication
before its receipt by the person it was
addressed to, in itself a very grave
breach of decorum, and of etiquette.
The way to win respect &c not to
make a rare show of a court, nor tC
be forever REGARDING those who have
been in employment before as dis.
honest and incapable. There are two
kinds of reformers. Those who how
their virtues to the winds, and those
who quietly reach their end will
no flourish of trumpets. The one class
courts popularity and adulation. The
other cares nothing for either, but il
satisfied when duty has been accom-
to be realized later. But our Cour
Xantippe wants notoriety not credit