The Florence tribune., 1901-09-21
Judge Humphreys vlrdIcsted.

WASHINGTON, Sept. l2.-Np Terri torial Judge against whom charges bad been filed was ever Yindicated so completely by the Department of Just ice as was Judge A. s. Humphreys of Hawaii, whose ease was decided by Attorney-Genersl Knox to-day. The charges against Judge Humphreys were made mostly because he insists upon running his court in Hawaii ac- cording to American ideas, without re- gard to what the local Territorial ad ministration may say or do. The charges against him were filed by men not in sympathy with American ideas, and that they were entirely baseless Is shown by the report which Attorney General Knox made this afternoon, wherin he says:
 "There is not scintilla of testimony to show that Judge Humphreys had anything to do with the selection of the grand jury. There is no law that requires that 8 grand jury be divided between members of different political parties, and an inquiry into the politi- cal affiliations of it's members seems to me unseemly and improper. The charge is based so entirely upon vague suspicion and unfair innuendo, as to  merit rebuke. Members of tue bar, as officers of the court, should be loyal to the court. Where there is fair reason to believe a judge is acting improp- erly, it is the duty of the bar to de- clare it openly, but member of the bar is faithless to his high calling when he assails a judge and impeaches his integrity upon no facts even remotely justifying the attack, but upon vague suspicion and unfair innuendo.
 That these and many charges against Judge Humphreys, to which allusion was also made, have been pre-. ferred by members of his own court clearly shows the difficulties of his position, and the severity of the ordeal through which he passed. It is obvi- ous that many members of his court have not observed the loyalty to the bench which it should be both the duty and pleasure of a lawyer to ob serve, and the heavy responsibility ol administering justice with dignity under such conditions at once becomeI apparent.
 "I have reviewed all charges made against Judge Humphreys, and al specifications offered in support there of. In my judgment, they wholly fail to establish any cause for his removal In the most unfavorable construction, they might show q mistake of judg ment, or at times undue feeling under trying circumstances, but it is notice able that the integrity of the j judg never has been directly impeached The attorney who represented tn Hawaiian Bar Association in thes proceedings expressed personal conf dence in Judge Humphreys judicis rectitude, and while presenting tn complaint of the bar association good faith, and in accordance with ir structions, yet personally disclaime resuonsibilitv for or coneurrence i some charges. It is possible many al torneys who signed the petition di not concur in all the charges mad against the circuit judge. Indeed, is inconceivable they could, as hay shown that some of them were base upon such insufficient premises as faiI ly justify the comment that they wer reckless in spirit.
 ''In administering justice in our ne possessions, the task will not be a easy one, and where judges are & lected to discharge their duties vii courage and integrity, and with reaso able ability, they should be sustaine even though they may, in attemptir to solve the difficult problems whi, present themselves: at times err, son consideration must be had for the e
 ceptional difficulty of their position
 She Got in the Wrong Bed.