The Honolulu republican. [volume] (Honolulu, T.H.) 1900-1902, 1901-04-10
HONOLULU q. T., APRIL 10, 1901
JUDGE EsTEE's CHARGE.

The first United States Grand jury
ever summoned in the Territory CT
Hawaii was empaneled yesterday by
Judge Estee In empaneling the Jury
Judge Estee delivered charge that Is
a fearful and scathing denunciation
Of the administration of justice in this
city by the Territorial officials. He
particularly points out the evils exist
ing at Iwilei and directs the Grand
Jury TO especially investigate them,
and 10 indict all persons found guilty
of violating the United States Stat
utes. He quotes the law to show how
inmates ana habitues OF Iwilei may
be indicted for their criminal action
Notwithstanding that public officials
have apparently given Twilei their
sanction, Judge Estee tells the Grand
Jury that il is the duty of the court
to remove the evil, because 1t is lille
gal and immoral.
What greater indictment could be
presented against the officials who
have not only winked at the violation
of the law, but have thrown the pro-
tecting arm of the law around this
vile place. Not only is it known that
the place does not accomplish the OBJ
ject OF segregation claimed for it, but
from its purlieus children have been
brought into the world to increase the
ranks OF the paupers and criminals.
This is more awful than any features
which The Republican has exposed in
its warfare for the destruction OF this
moral plague spot.
Iwilei makes a show of immortality.
II sets it up as an attraction Of the
city. Il stamps the moral element CT
this supposedly Christian city as be-
ing SO devoid of shame and decency
as 70 hold up Iwilei as an attraction
TO the stranger within the gates. 1t
has been repeatedly said by some of
its defenders that such a place was a
protection for the decent and moral
women OF the community. Then in
following out this line of argument
IL must be said of the men that they
are so debased that were 1t not for the
slave women of Iwifi. virtue and wo-
manly honor would be held at such
low value by the men that women
would at all times be unsafe in this
city. In other words that the men are
so bestial that they must needs be
provided with Oriental slaves in order
TO keep them from becoming fiends
of INDISPENSABLE character.
That such is not the case every one
knows, despite the fallacious reason
ing Of the defenders of Iwilei.
Very soon after this paper was
started ten months ago IL began
warfare upon lwilei. In all the inter
yening time II has never wavered in
its fight. although victory has at times
seemed far OF. But throughout it sll
1t has believed that morality and de
cency would ultimately conquer over
vice and corruption.
Judge Estee has struck the right
chord in his charge to the Grand jugs
He believes that this should be
moral community. AS an officer OF
the law he does not propose TO sit
idly by. as Territorial officials have
done. and see immoral and illegal acts
committed in Iwilei day after day
without making some effort to stop
them He does not propose that in
this fair city OF Honolulu. this Para
disc OF the Pacific, there shall grow
up second Cairo. He proposes that
United States customs and United
States laws and United States justice
shall prevail despite the barkings of
defenders OF immortality and vice. All
honor TO Judge Estee for his grand
charge. and let II be hoped that the
Grand Jury will perform its duty
equally as fearlessly and honestly as
Judge Estee is performing his.