The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1907-01-12


First Circuit, together with few sug-
gestions. I will take up the sugges-
tions first
SUGGESTED LEGISLATION.
I would respectfully suggest for your
recommendation to the ensuing Legis-
lature the following legislation:
Salaries Of Clerks That the salaries
of all the clerks of this Circuit be in
creased 10 a sum commensurate to the
value and Importance OF their duties
and services in the administration OF
justice. And, in harmony with this
view, I would suggest that the three
court clerks of the Circuit Judges Of
this Circuit each be allowed, a salary
OF $50 per month.
AS TO the character and value of such
services, as viewed by the Congress of
the United States. the salaries of the
clerks of the L. s. District Court OF
this Territory may be referred to. The
work of the clerks of this Circuit is
very important and involves long
hours and close application
A clerk Of a ce1rt OF record must
necessarily possess an education, ex-
perience and intelligence, as well as
personal honor and integrity, far in ex-
cess OF the requirements of an ordinary
amanuensis, or other employee whose
duties are merely routine and mechan-
ical in character. His educational
qualifications, as well as his station in
life. and the manner in which his posi-
ton requires him 10 clothe himself. as
well as the character and value Of his
services, being considered. he is en-
titled 10 an emolument commensurate
with his employment.
In the mainland states and terri
tories, where the actual cost of living
IS far less than in this Jurisdiction,
the average pay of the ordinary court
room clerk is equal 10 or exceeds the
present salary here. and L am salts
fed that an increase in the monthly
salaries of all the clerks of this court
10 the sum of $50. is necessary and
just TO make their compensation equal
10 that for those performing similar
services on the mainland, in view OF
the increased cost of living in this
Territory.
The duties Of the clerks absolutely
demand that they be in attendance and
at work long before and after the
hours during which court may be in
session and during which the clerks
office is open II is not unusual for
the clerks 10 be at the office and at
work in the discharge Of their official
duties as early as seven o'clock in the
morning, and 10 continue working with
snort intervals for meals, until eleven
or twelve O'Clock al night. and in cases
oI Importance, involving intricate Ques-
tons OF law, il is sometimes necessary
Tor the clerks, as well as the other
oUlcers OF the court. TO remain in at
tendance all night awaiting the deIiber-
4tions OF the Jury. in order to provide
LOT the giving Of additional instruc-
ions, should such instructions be re-
4uested- There is no additional com
pensa1ion- provided by law for these
extra hours Of labor, and in justice 20
these officials. these extraordinary and
unusual services should be taken into
account in fixing their annual compen-
satlon and fixed salaries II the sala-
hes OF these officials were fixed at an |
amount commensurate with the value
Of the services rendered by them, the
judges could well dispense with the
custom and practice OF appointing
these officers 10 I'LL special positions. |
involving extra compensation. in re-
-oSE4t4oA u SUCH services ana TIE H. (
trinsic value thereof
And in this connection. would sus-
gest such appropriate legislation as
may be necessary to the end that no
-lerk OF any court may be appointed
trustee. executor. guar
iian or other such officer. except pos
sibiy that Of master. II this view
should be adopted, i e, clerks to be
appointed masters only. then. perhaps.
Z salary OF sI25 per month might meet