The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1903-06-08
STAND BY
ANDREWS
HiIo Writers in
Defense oil
Sheriff.
No Dishonesty Charged
Against Him
There.
Differences of Opinion as to What
Would Result From an In
ves!igation of Office.

Hfo upon Sheriff Andrews
is conflicting but even the Hilo Tribune
which is bitterly opposed to him politi-
cally admits that the charges of dis
honesty made by irresponsible legisla-
tors are baseless. The Tribune says:
That the official conduct of Sheriff
Andrews provoked a fusilade of attack
from the members of the Legislature on
the floor, is not surprising to people on
this island. familiar with the methods
of III Gear"
The bitterest enemies of the Sheriff
are slow to charge hin with outright
dishonesty. Few believe he would mis-
appropriate a cent or misrepresent a
fact. No one will question his indefa-
tigabIe industry or his zeal in the dis
charge of his public duties. The outcry
of condemnation at Honolulu probably
affects Sheriff Andrews as much as wa
ter affects a duck when poured upon
its back. Sheriff Andrews has no APP
probation of criticism. He is as in
vulnerable 10 argument and reason as
though he were an automaton of gutta
percha.
With all his faults he is the most in
teresting man in official life in Hawaii.
He is a surviving relic, as Speaker
Beckley said, of the best government
on earth" He continues the methods
Which in the old days made every
policeman a repository of executive,
judicial and legislative power. Sheriff
Andrews has this same old theory of
his Office and with monumental good
faith puts it into practice. If a Legisla-
lature refuses to grant Andrews what he
wants, he gets what he wants anyway.
If the courts DEGREES do not suit the
Sheriff, he pays no attention to them.
If the Governor makes suggestions,
they are complied with if it suits the
Gar.
These remarks are made not in a
criticizing spirit. We would be truthful
and accurate. An unbiased and well
drawn characterization of the official
personality of Sheriff Andrews would
make Interesting reading even to people
who have never heard of Hawaii.
One of his heaviest fortresses of de-
Tense from attack is the theory that a
good intention sanctifes the deed. 4
all culpability in mistakes that may oc-
cur along his official path. It's another
way of saying the end ~justifes the
means" which is a doctrine that has no
standing in America and which was the
chief working theory of the best gov
eminent on earth,' of which Sheriff
Andrews is a relic.
This paper does not believe thai an
investigation of the sheriff's office
would reveal any criminal dereliction
upon which could be based charges of
embezzlement, or charges of a like
fibre. There would however most likely
be found a looseness of administration
which would scandalize any similar de-
partment in the States. But it's the
old time looseness of the best govern
ment on earth" and what are you going
to do about it?
COURTS INVESTIGATION.
The Hilo Herald echoes Sheriff An
drew's wishes when it demands that
the lightly uttered charges be thorough
Iy investigated. The Herald says:
The proposed investigation into the
administration of the affairs of the
Sherif's Office should not be allowed to
be a mere proposal. There are some
members of the Legislature Who are
serving their first term and who are no
familiar with previous Investigations OF
this same charge. Sheriff Andrews is
a mar of integrity and one who would
not stoop to dishonesty in the conduct
o, personal or public affairs. The sys-
tenn adopted, and about which there
has been SO much complaint, was mani
testify bad The past tense is used for
the reason that the Objectionable fea-
ture has not been in vogue since last
March, But If blame is to be placed for
the existence of it. it should be upon
the shoulders of a narrow minded Leg
i%slature rather than upon Sheriff An
drews. The subject has been investi-
gated in the past by the Legislature
| rEa z--zx--Cr-,---