Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1904-06-04
ASSOCIATE JUSTICE
GALBRAlTH.

The departure of Associate Justice
Clinton j. Galbraith at the close of his
four years service on the Supreme
Bench OF this Territory is sincerely re-
GREETED By every American in these
Islands. Judge Galbraith has been the
only experienced judicial officer. the
single exponent of sterling American
ism that the Territorial Supreme Court
has possessed during the period of his
service lie has been the sole restrain
ing force on the Supreme Bench which
acted as check upon a complete over
throw OF justice by his majority asso-
ciates and satuInalia OF prejudice
within the highest Territorial tribunal.
Judge Galbraith has been TO the Su-
preme Court Of the Territory what
Judge Estee was to the Federal court.
He did not seek the office. II came to
him as complete surprise, but In
carrying out the duties Of his high of
flee he has been TRUE TO every trust, alb
solutely indifferent TO the power Of
Influence" calmly. quietly, honestly,
passing upon the cases brought before
him according to the law and the evil
dence. lie had what his associates
lacked-eXpe Iience in the law. He has
been guided by American sentiment.
He sought TO establish the good name
of American justice and he has done
IL.
While the majority members of the
Supreme Court have pursued a course
that has steadily weakened and finally
destroyed confidence In their ability to
act without prejudice on vital issues,
Galbraith has hewed straight to the
American line, demanding plain justice
for every man. In community 50
long ruled absolutely by a clique, this
calm American course followed by Gal
braith naturally made him the object
of continuous and most vicious attack.
This neither stirred him to wrathful
indiscretion nor frightened him into
submission. He could not be overawed
by influential counsel or threatened
into swerving from the path of duty.
He has been as impartial in his judg-
-ment, calling for strict Interpretation
Of the laws. The Chinaman railroaded
to Jail that officials might gain motor
iety, has received equal consideration
with wealth and influence no more. no
less,
That Galbraith should have been at
tackled for his strict integrity TO prin-
ciple and his associates lauded because
they fulfilled the ideals or demands Of
factionalists tells Its own story. He
upheld the majesty and integrity of
American law; they carried out the
teachings Of an oligarchy whose ulti-
mate standard Is not above that OF
South American republic.
How many vicious judgments the
Af raIh
stand for American ideals has checked
none but the members OF the Bench
can say. He, however, has been the
only American leaven OF the judicial
loaf and while at times he has been
unable to stay terrible miscarriages of
justice he has never failed 10 read his
title clear. This task, though not
pleasant one, has had its saluary effect
upon the courts and the people. When
the future historian seeks for the first
exponent OF broad, honest, capable,
thoughtful Americanism among the
pioneer Justices of the Territorial SUI
preme Bench, the record OF Galbraith
Is so far superior to that of his ma
jority associates that he will properly
be given the place as the pioneer Amer
lean.
IL is unfortunate for this Territory
that Justice Galbraith Is leaving. He
Is OF the calibre that aids in developing
community on traditional American
lines and such men are needed in this
Territory OF all others. Wherever he
may go the hearty aloha OF the honest
Americans of Hawaii will follow him
and the gratitude for the grand work
he has done here will remain as long
as passing time marks the development
OF advancing Americanism in Hawaii.