The Honolulu republican. [volume] (Honolulu, T.H.) 1900-1902, 1901-07-19

Hcnpy f. Cooper. real thing Secre-
tary OF the Territory of Hawaii, and
Iafteriy Acting Governor OF the same
little spot on the up-to-date map OF
the United States. graced the humble
confines Of the Police Court with his
presence throughout the greater por-
ton OF yesterday afternoon On this
special occasion Mr. Cooper for the
time being had dropped the engrossing
cares occasioned by a balky legisla-
ture OF perhaps had forgotten the
stony stare Of depleted
treasury. and appeared before the
lower court as the plain aud unassum-
ing Secretary OF the Territory again.
Sir. Cooper was summoned as an
important witness in the complaint
filed against a Chinese OF this city
named Yong Kong Hong. who is en-
gagged In various business enterprises
IN Honolulu The Chinese is charged
with false impersonation of one Tom
Cow. supposed To have shuffled of
this mortal coil. 10 these many years.
The defendant has been out on bail
for the past ten days pending a hear
ing Of his case.
The Chinese was represented by at
torney Lorrin Andrews. while High
Sheriff Brown gave attention to the
prosecution Of the case. At the close
OF a large amount of legal whip-saw-
ing the question practically narrowe
down 10 the point as TO whether the
Territorial Secretary had the author
ity 60 issue certificates or not. Judge
Wilcox is expected To render his opin-
ion this morning. as to whether the
defendant is 70 be held or released.
The specific charge made against
the defendant Yong Kong Hong runs
as follows
Henry +. Cooper. of Honolulu. Oahu.
being first duly sworn. SAYS that he
Is the Secretary OF the Territory of
Hawaii. that he has the custody of
the original records OF naturalization
Of all persons 10 whom such papers
were granted under the Hawaiian
Kingdom; that by virtue OF his Office
he is authorized TO issue certified cop
les OF such records of naturalization
and that he does in pursuance of such
authority issue certificates of identifi-
cation attached 20 such certified copies
Of persons entitled TO the same;
That Yong Kong Hong. Chinese. of
Honolulu Oahu. on or about the 10Th
day Of March. 4 d. 1901. personally
appeared before me and represented
"a me that he was one Tom Cow. and
that he had previously obtained rec
ords Of naturalization from the Ha-
waiian government: that he desired a
certified copy Of the original record.
together with a certified copy of said
record OF naturalization and a certifi-
cate Of identification. which were -
sued 20 the said Yong Kong Hong in
the name Of Tom Cow. under the sig
nature Of the afiiant and the great seal
OF the Territory OF Hawaii.
Whereas. in truth and fact. the said
Tom Cow. TO whom the record Of nat
uralization was issued was. so COM
plainani is informed and has reason
% believe. dead at the time the said
Yong Kong Hong made application for
said certified copy. and the said Yong
Kong Hong did. SO complainant Is in
formed and has reason 20 believe.
falsely impersonate said Tom Cow in
obtaining such certified copy and GER
tiicate Of identity from the affiant as
aforesaid. contrary 10 section iSi Of
the penal laws OF 1897.
(SigEedl; HENRY E. COOPER.
Mr. Cooper was the first witness
called. testifying I am the Secre-
tary az the Territory of Hawaii. | had
the custody OF All the original Chinese
records issued and certified copies. II
has been my custom for some time 10
Issue 10 al applicants certificates OF
naturalization upon request. A com.
m0nieation from the Secretary of the
Treasury al Washington granted me
the authority for so doing,
Mr. Copper further stated that he
recognized the defendant as the per-
son who made application for a GER
iificate last March. He was accom-
panied BY several persons among
whom were Mr.. Giryfn and Wong Le-
onE an Interpreter Mr.. Cooper de-
ctafeo that he received nom the de-
PENDANT copies 81 his photograph. one
81 which was afiixed to the certificate
issued by Mr.. Cooper while he occu.
pied the position as Secretary. II was
also admitted that the defendant had
paid Sl-le Zee for tho document. The
certificate was pronounced the iden-
teal one returned last Thursday. Mr..
Cooper insisted that the defendant did
NOT apply Tor q certificate in the name
OF Yong Kong Hong. bat gave his
name through an interpreter as Tom
Cox.
Attorney Andrews took occasion e
delye into the authority OF Mr.. Cooper
for issuing certificates. The defense
maintained THAI the Secretary was NOT
70 perform this work. II was
cited that nowhere IN the provisions
o. the Organic Act nor in the statutes
past or present could be found the