The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-05-31
HOT TIMES IN Hawaii.
Bribery Charges Against Legis-
Iators Create a Sensation.

Correspondence of Associated Press1
Honolulu, May %, via San Francisco,
May 31--The special grand jury called
to investigate the charges of bribery in
the legislature has raised the biggest
sensation Honolulu has had since the
days of revolutions and agitation for
annexation. 1t has had as witnesses
Governor Dole. Attorney General Dole
Secretary Of the Territory Cooper and
other high officials and on the refusal
of some of them to answer questions it
has had them brought into court to
show cause why they should not testify.
In the absence of S. B. Dole, who is
indisposed, Secretary Cooper is acting
governor
The grand jury began it's investiga-
tlons on letter from the governor to
the legislature refusing to extend the
session because he had information that
bribery was taking place Governor
Dole appeared before the jury, and, it is
said, told all that he knew. The other
heads Of departments were summoned
and all refused to tell what they knew
on the ground that the information they
had received was in the nature of a
privileged communication" having
been given to them as government Off
Gals.
Acting Governor Cooper, Attorney
General Dole and L. A. ThurstOn, preSi-
dent of the Gazette Publishing company
were summoned to appear before Judge
Humphreys and show cause why they
SuOulQ not tell the grand jury what Lney
had heard regarding bribery in the legis-
lature. Judge Humphreys sustained
Dole as it was shown that he had told
the grand jury the names of the men
from whom he had received evidence.
Thurston had told the jury that he heard
the legislature had approached COR
poration with solicitations Of brides, but
he declined to give the name of the cor
pOration on the ground that as attorney
he had right to withhold it as given in
confidence between attorney and client
Judge Humphreys adjudged ThurstOn
guilty Of contempt, fined him 500 and
ordered him into custody until the end
of the session Of the grand jury or until
he answered the question of the jury as
to who was the client. He at once ap-
piled to the supreme court for a writ of
habeas corpus and was released on $500
bail.
The grand jury has indicted Walter G.
Smith, editor of the Advertiser, for per-
jury. 1t is alleged IN the Indictment that
he denied knowledge of the name of a
corporation said to have been approach
ed by members of the legislature with
solicitations for brides, when in fact he
knew the name Of the said corporation.
Smith was released on $4,000 bail.
In the first circuit court lengthy argu-
ments We're made on the question Of
privileges of heads of departments to
treat the information they had received
under the head Of privileged commune
cations
Judge Humphreys took the cases of
Acting Governor Cooper and Superin-
tendent of Public Works McCandless
under adviSement. McCandleSS has left
the Office Of superintendent of public
works, being one of those whom the
senate refused to confirm for Office as
appointed by the governor, but the in
formation he is said to have was re-
ceived, it is said, when he was in Office.
There is a congestion of sugar in Hon
Olulu owing to SlOWnesS in getting it
irving here now get very quick dis
charge, work being kept up on them al
most night and day The big freighter
Hawaiian, which was to have gone d.
rect to New York with sugar, viii go to
San Francisco instead and may come
back here for another load.
The Marconi experts sent here from
London to perfect the system in Hawaii
are still waiting here, and it is said by
them that the Marconi company of Lon
don is willing to take the local system
and operate it. if the Hawaiian company
does not make a success The system is
now working regularly and is used q
great deal in commercial affairs.
The steamer Samoa arrived here on
May % from Apia, Samoa, as the first
vessel of a line established by c. KuhnSt
Of Apia, Samoa, between Honolulu and
Samoa Kuhnst proposes to run the
steamer regularly between this port and
Apia, and he will compete for the busi-
ness that the Oceanic company is d.
verting to Page Page, which has been
made the port of call for the oceanic
steamers since Apia became German
port.
The extra session Of the legislature for
consideration Of appropriations has not
resulted in any definite action so far.
Prof H. S. Townsend of the Kaahu-
nano school has been appointed district
superintendent OF schools for Mindanao,
Philippine islands. He viii leave at once
for the Philippines. The appointment
was made by Superintendent Atkinson
Of the Philippines. In Hawaii Townsend
has had experience similar to that which
he win have in his new position with
native races