The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1901-05-27
THE CRISIS.

There is no use in talking-this city
is suffering under a sense of insult and
outrage which it has not felt before
since 1893 It regards itself as temper
arily in the hands of a political bandit
ii; of men who, as was the case with
the carpet bag judiciary of South Caro-
lima before the overthrow, are using
the powers of the court for selfish and
predatory ends. AS things are, no man
is safe who dares raise a voice or a
hand against the Judge of the First
Circuit Court and this fact disturbs
business, creates factional uproar and
impels dangerous public spirit, the di-
rection and results of which no man
may now foresee.
BY singular misuse of terms, the
disturbance has been brought about in
the name of Americanism. If Ameri-
canism means anything more signifi-
cant than court which treats all men
justly and is detected neither by pas
sion, selfishness nor political ambition
from desire or intent to do right. then
we have failed to understand the con-
stitutional genesis of the word. The
kind of Americanism we have seen in
judicial politics of late is false and pu-
'trid. It's purpose Is to put the control
of Hawaii into the hands of dishonest
men. in whom patriotism is the last
refuge of the scoundrel.
Look at the facts A political Amer
lean" Judge. one who left his country
for his country's good, coming to the
then Republic of Hawaii. attempts to
secure political control Of the islands.
He finaiyy. by hook or crook. reaches an
important judgeship. In his newspaper
he complains that he cannot select his
own Grand Juffes7 the law viii hot per
NIT 1t. Al corrupt and vicious Legisla-
ture. mainly ecornposed 81 Royalisfs
who hate the present Territorial Gov
eminent, .eonvenes, andastakes orders
from the new judge Hefasksit to pass
disguised bill puttingethe power into1
his hands. while pretending to. do same
L.
thing else, to pack grand and petit
juries. The Governor does, not discover
that the bill Is loaded, signs it and thes,
measure becomes a law. . q $50.
The Governor says he has reasons to
think the Legislature Is, corrupt and Is /
collecting evidence to prove .its,. s4u,zne,s
diately. before the evidence Dis all In, al
Grand Jury is selectedeb by the courts.
own bailiff. and lis found to. contain
fourteen Of the Governors political
enemies to one of his political friends
Acting solely on political lines, the jury
summons witnesses who are not ready, |
and proceeds to browbeat and misrep-
resent them The court intimidates |
counsel for the friends and supporters
of the Governor consigning some of |
them to jail because of their attempts |
to protect one of the Grand Jury's VIC |
tins from the judgment of a biased |
court. The next step, as we predict, will |
be to pack petit jury to try the cases
left by d packed Grand Jury. And this. |
fellow citizens, is the new Americanism I
IAN Americanism dragged into Hawaii |
from the carpet-bag era of South Caro- |
lima and Louisiana and from the Tam |
many sink of judicial corruption in New
York.
Every man Of independence in. Ha-
wall who asserts that independence
against the ring Of adventures that is
trying to exploit the country, must feel
that at any time a packed Grand Jury
may turn him over to a packed petit |
jury for trial on trumped-up charges.
What is to be done? We leave that
to the people. They know their rights,
and on them rests the responsibility
Of protecting them. The intelligence
and worth OF this country can, for one |
thing, make itself heard at Washing
ton.. It is known there; it has made
there before; and it can
speak in way that will not be pleas
Int for the adventures who have come
lere to rule or ruin. We advise no other
courses; but unhung rogues in office
must be made to see that there Is a
Headline which they cannot safely
ross II