The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1901-09-20
HUMPHREYS REPLY.

In it's entirety, as reproduced in the
reply of Judge Humphreys to the
charges of the Bar Association, is
document which will take rank in the
files of the American Department of
Justice, as the most unique of a long
line. The chapter on Iwilei will be
omitted, as it is just what the main
land press said of it. too indecent for
publication
While this document is what might
be expected from the man, by those
who have been familiar with his pecu-
liar habit of mind, it Is remarkable that
his attorney would permit such a pa
per to be submitted to the Attorney
General. 1t is an example of special
pleading, the making much of his
attitude upon a subject which is not
discussed other than by reformers, men
of prurient minds or sensation mongers,
and the putting aside of matters of
moment without comment. No matter
what the disposition of his case, the
production of the answer" will always
be an achievement which will stand as
one of his characteristic performances.
Who else could find in the charges
brought by the Bar Association, "a
strong, though unwilling, endorsement
of my uprightness and industry or
who fail to see a direct Indictment of
my impartiality as judge in the trial
of causes?" Who would convict him
self of perjury in quoting from letter
which was written in an endeavor to
refute some unknown charges, in June,
and then in July say that he was not
taking any interest in matters at Wash
ington? What must be the standing of
a man in his own community whose
word in connection with sale of his
own property, backed by the showing
of the books, was not sufficient to
establish a value against an exposure
of the. truth?
1t Is refreshing to view public man
as he sees himself. To the veterans
whose memories go back to the stalwart
men of 1860 it must be entertaining
to be permitted to look through the
Humphreys glasses and perceive him
eulogizing himself as the citizen thus:
IF I am not mistaken, the country
owes much to those patriotic Judges,
during the troublous time of the War
not hid under bushel but shone clear
ly as a beacon to their uncertain or
uniformed fellow citizens
Upon the political question, there is
such a distinct begging of the whole
contention, that it is ridiculous. Deny
ing "caucuses," he admits confer
ences." He says that his advice was
sought upon proposed legislation, but
denies taking the Initiative. What
weight this would have if offered be-
fore jury here, where his constant
communication with the men-anti- Re-
publicans all-who were mismanaging
the legislative program, is too we'll
known to arouse any other feeling than
contempt.
1t must be most pleasing to those
who pulled the bailiff chestnut out of
the fire for this political mountebank.
to find in excusing his action in max
ing them district practitioners, he says
he did so when they were to practice
in the back woods. and refers to their
linguistic status as happy and con-
tented state of ignorance"
The most Interesting paragraph of the
whole perhaps is that in which the
conduct Of the courts is discussed. To
him it was given to reform procedure
He would not permit an attorney to
talk to him without the counsel of the
opposition being present. He would not
settle a bill of exceptions when pre-
sented to him by "a Kanaka office boy
and the shirt waist, while 1t might be
the proper thing in the states was not
"dignified" in the First Circuit Court.
In fact all the criticisms are disposed
of in his conclusion that mo lawyer of
high standing on the mainland of the
United States would object to the meth
DDS" as. exemplifed in his court.
Another sidelight upon this pleasing