The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1906-06-18

| Prior 20 that time there was perhaps
| little Involvement t. accumulate an ex-
| tensive library Of American reports
| I 60 not think that this action should
| be regarded as q precedent. but shoul6
| be considered upon the peculiar situa-
| ton IL the Hawaiian Islands.
None OF the United States district
| judges are supplied with law libraries
except Federal Statutes, Revised Stat
utes. and the reports of the Supreme
Court. and this department has con
siste1t}v refused requests for such IL
braries for long time The United
States attorneys are in as great need
of libraries as are Federal judges. The
expense of getting all of them libraries
would be very great. Very respectfully,
". H. MOODY,
Attorney General
HON. JAMES A>TAWNEY.
Chairman Committee on Appropria-
tons. House OF Representatives.
Judge Dole's letter is as follows:
United states District Court for the
Territory OF Hawaii.
Honolulu. November II. 1905.
The Attorney General, Washington.
D c.
Sir: When Colonel Hepburn was
here, few months ago. I had a talk
with him, during a cali from him at
my chambers, in regard to the matter
of a law library Tor the Federal court
at this place. I called his attention to
the library of the late Judge Estee, of
this court, which has remained in my
chambers since his decease and mas
been used by me. I do not know what
I should have done without these
books. for there is fair list of States
reports and a number of textbooks.
I had, unon taking office. but a few law
books of my own and was not able to
make any extensive purchases.
The courtroom and chambers being
located in the same building with the
Territorial courts OF record located in
Honolulu. I have had access 10 the law
library Of such coarts, which is a good
one and is growing. but is located in
the next story above mine and at a
distant part of the building. When the
United States esta blishes a building for
the Federal court a a different place
from the present l would be very much
handicapped for want of :. sufficient Ii
brary conveniently accessible. 1t
would take so much time to consult the
law library of the Territorial courts
that such use would be almost imprac-
ticable especially a it is unlikely that
the books of that library would be al
lowed to be taken from the building
for the use of the Federal court, and
will be unable, and ought not to be
called upon, TO purchase an adequate
library for the use of the court.
I feel that this is an important center
of the Territory OF Hawaii, where the
main proceedings of the Federal court
viii almost always take place. and with
a separation of Honolulu from the
courts and libraries of the mainland
and the difficulty of intercourse of the
officers and bar OF this court with men
eneaged in the judicial and legal work
on the mainland. that it is of vital i'm
portance that this court should be fur
nished with a law library rich in text
books and including reports from as
many of the United states as possible
and also the leading English, Canadian
and New Zealand reports, with also
the reports from one OF the colonies Of
Australia This would. cost something,
but it would be worth while and would
promote not only speed in the work OF
the court. but also accuracy in its de-
cisons.
The law books of Judge Estee's col
lection are for sale and are appraised
by a commission appointed by the pro-
bate court at $3.50. They include the
following reports, which are not COM
plete up to date: California. Massa-
chusetts. Michigan. New York. Ohio,
Ohio State. Pennsylvania. Washington
Territory and Washington. These are
i'm fair order The textbooks are not
up to date and need considerable adj
ditions to make a satisfactory colIec-
ton.
/ Bring this matter to your attention
rs an Important one affecting the
standing and necessities of this court,
and suggest the proprietv of a request
from you for an appropriation by Con-
gress for this purpose. I think such an
appropriation should be not less than
SO GOO. bu- q smaller amount would be
welcome for making beginning in the
collection OF such law library as I
feel 10 he necessary. Very respectfully,
SANFORD B DOLE.
Judge. United states District Court,
District of Hawaii.
Mr.. Taylor. DO you not think,
Colonel. that it would be a precedent
'Ol' furnishing the courts III <atds7aet'
and such places. similar to Hawaii?
Mr.. Hepburn. It might be in Alaska.
out there are but the two places, You
lnoW.
Mr.. Smith. Let me ask you, for my
,wn information at least, what is the
udicial establishment OF the Hawaiian
Islands under the law? Do the judges
lit en- banc as a supreme court for
my purposeP
Mr.. Hepburn I think they do. They
AVE class OF Territorial Judges, and
hey have Federal judge; and this
Judge that I speak of, Judge Dole, is
he Federal judge.
The Chairman. They have one Fed
.ral Judge, and in that respect they
iffer from the other Territories.
Nrr smith He is not life ap-
,ointee?
The Chairman. Yes; he is life APP
,ointee.
Mr. Hepburn. He is very superior ;
Gentleman. YOU know. He was the
s,.o-i1a,- ~ RI. TJaZvaiia Repu bile.