The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1902-09-30
NO PLACE
FOR LADIES
Only Men Are Wanted
In the Circuit
Court.

Ladies will no longer grace the Halls
of Justice and the soft rustic of silks
and sat!ns must be replaced by the
business like stride of men, accordin &
to the mandate of the new first Judge.
There was a time not many months
ago when Judge Humphreys was in
control that the ladies held fun sway
in the judiciary building, and four
or five occupied positions as clerks and
stenographers. Judge De Bolt while
admitting the capability and usefulness
of women in their proper spheres does
not believe that the court room is the
place for them, particularly during the
trial of criminal and divorce cases Up
on occasions during the past eight
months there has been ample proof that
the court room is not the proper place
for ladies, as was shown by their ex-
clusion and also in a general shifting
of cases from one judge to another in
order to prevent any unpleasant ex-
periences.
nave CDlllc u the cpHCluSlOIl sdlu
Judge De Bolt yesterday, mot to APP
point ladies as either clerk or stenogra-
pher.. Several applications were receiv
ed for the vacant place from ladies,
but / told them frankly that l would
not appoint a woman. l have no pref
udice against women and nothing to
say against their abilities or qualifica-
tions but do not think the court room
q nj lal ,,illr ga
Their the interest of public justice not
to appoint one. In divorce and criminal
cases there is often evidence which can
not be presented, and consequently jus
tice cannot be secured because Of the
presence of women. If there was enough
business in the clerks office for an ex-
ira clerk or stenographer l would glad
ly give such a place to a lady for
women are fully as competent as men.
Some of the lady applicants for the
position of stenographer said that they
appreciated the unpleasantness of the
situation in certain cases but were will
ing to undergo 1t. However willing
they might be is a question which con-
Germs only the lady herself The public
interests are also to be considered. In
rape, seduction or adultery case, and
in some divorce cases the testimony is
OF such a revolving nature that 1t could
not be put before the court and jury in
all it's disgusting detail If a lady was
present in the court room. While she
might be willing to sit through such a
trial every attorney with any manhood
would hesitate before placing these
matters before the court.
However competent the ladies are
who have made application for posi-
lions, and i do not question their ca
pability, still think it would interfere
with the course of justice and place a
restraint upon attorneys in certain
cases, to appoint them. The office Is
not made for the office holder but for
the convenience of the public and the
public could not receive it's Just dues IL
such appointments were made. In the
interest of justice l have declined to,
make such appointments"
OLD OFFICERS REAPPOINTED.
Judge De Bolt reappointcd nearly all
of the old officers of the First Circuit
Court yesterday. While the statute is
silent upon the subject the first Judge
deemed 1t wisest to make out new COM
missions for the interpreters. bailiffs,
etc, in order to avoid any question.
Mrs. Clare Webster rendered her
resignation to Judge De Bolt yesterday
to take effect October 4, a step she had
been considering for some time, and a
new stenographer must be appointed
in her place. There are a number of