The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1902-09-24
VARIOUS MATTERS
BEFORE SENATORS
MEMORIAL FROM CHAMBER OF
COMMERCE - 1895 PRISONERS
WANT REDRESS FOR ALLEGED
FALSE IMPRISONMENT.

At the afternoon session of the Sena-
torial Commission the memorial of the
Chamber of Commerce was the first
matter taken up. The paper was pre-
scented by Vice President z. M. Cooke,
who was later questioned by Senator
Burton. The inquisitor tried to get
Mr.. Cooke to acknowledge that the de-
sire to keep the control of Territorial
lands arose from political reasons
rather than from a wish to do the best
for the country. Mr.. Cooke did not see
it that way and thought a change
would not be beneficiary.
Daniel II. Case, secretary of the Bar
Association, presented a memorial from
that body asking for a third judge.
Senator Burton and the witness in
dulged in cross Renaissance of Kan
sas counties and the latter admitted
finally that there might be doubt as
to the constitutionaity of the act Of
the legislature appointing the third
Judge
Senator Burton asked if it was not
matter of common notOriety that the
legislature has hung fire on the matter
until a certain appontee was named
and then had gone ahead and elected
him. Mr.. Case said that he had never
heard of such a thing. w. o. Smith
rose to defend the constitutionality of
the legislative act stating that Con-
gress had acted with a copy of the Ha-
waiian statute in front of them and
had neither enlarged or modified its
terms. Senator Burton then left his
chair and conferred with Judge Hum
phreys for a moment, the latter taking
copy of the Hawaiian enactment,
studying it and then speaking with
Senator Burton again. The senator
then challenged w. o. Smith who in
/ the course of examination stated that
the matter had been discussed by
many brilliant lawyers in a congress
ional committee.
You are mistaken there, you must
be mistaken" said Senator Burton.
II was present at the committee
meeting myself and heard the discus
sion" replied the witness.
Il have read the record" interpolated
Judge Humphreys, land there was not
a word in it to that effect"
You will have to show me the rec
ord" said Senator Burton to Mr.
Smith, II cannot believe that state
ment."
You can ask Attorney General Knox
for one" said the witness.
20 yes, but l don't have to-" con-
cluded the Commissioner.
1.-TWO judges can do all the work and
loaf half the time INTERCEPTED A. 3
Humphreys. "Then why haven't they
done it," answered Mr.. Smith taking
his seat.
The rice planters were now given the
floor. j. w. Girvin making the state
ment that the islands had II 900 acres
of rice land producing 53,O00,0OO pounds
of rice, valued at $2,2S2, 900 selling price
Ahlo and Wong Leong came forward
and gave details of rents, labor scale
and general cost of production. A du-
ty of two cents on uncleaned and two
and a half cents on polished rice was
asked for in the memorial and reiter-
ated by the witness. The present low
tariff and lack of labor were the chie1
grievances.
Harry Juen brought forward a mem
orial in connection with the imprison
ment of certain American citizens dur.
ing 1895 and their damage claims now
at Washington. The Commission adj
vised the petitioners to consult an at
torney as they were not prepared tC
/; open the political acts of that perioC
, before the Commission. John A. Cum
minis also presented a memorial which
was admitted as a portion of his evi
dence. / was not read and the Com
, mission apparently believed it to be re
lative to the queens claim, but the pa
, per describes the rebellion of '95 ant
states that the Hawaiians are Ameri
, cans by arbitrary act which they wer
powerless to prevent.