Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1908-03-17

kai matter is that Dan Case has got
his foot in It clear up to his neck
or words to that effect-if kepoikai
is reappointed. He'll make IL warm
for Case, the people say, If he gets
the reappointment. And even those
who are Kepoikai's supporters-and
they seem mostly to be men directly
Baldwins-concede that Case has
taken upon himself a most unpleas-
ont duty, out of which he can expect
nothing but trouble for himself.
And yet Kepoikai's opponents all
acknowledge that the case against
the Judge is very weak in one i'm
portant particular. Whatever his
conduct off the bench, no charge, 10
far as is known here, has been made
of any misconduct or knowing un-
fairness on his part In his official Ca
pacity. lie can make It pretty un-
pleasant for attorneys whom he does
not like, but he is careful TO say
what he has to say while he is on
the bench. This, of course, is a
strong point in his favor. Also II is
claimed that Kepoikals legal knowl-
edge falls far short of what II should
be, yet his supporters point out that
on the whole he has no greater per-
oentage of decisions reversed than
the other Circuit Judges.
The action of the Bar Association
IL important, Of course, as expressing
the sentiment of the lawyers toward
Kepoikai. even though It is the big
corporation lawyers that have flown
to his rescue. but II is by no means
conclusive. Governor Fre2r's recon-
mendatlon will in all probability be
followed by the President In filling
the vacancy caused by the expira-
ton of Kepoikai's term, and Govern
or Frear is not saying what he will
do in the matter. But he is here, on
the Island, and he is keeping his ear
close to the ground. Frear is won
derfully absorptive. He missed his
calling. He should really have been
newspaper man, for he is the best
interviewer ever met. A reporter
goes to him to get an interview, and
there is an interview. But unless the
Governor has something which he
wishes to tell the people through the
medium of the newspapers, the re-
porter is very liable to come away
scratching his head abstractedly and
wondering who really was inter-
viewed, himself or the Governor
| And he will generally conclude that
while he was pumped as dry as the
inside OF an extinct volcano, the Gov
ernor hasn't said a thing.
Frear always carries around In
HIS pocket a little black notebook
The contents of that book would
make Interesting reading. for the
Governor takes notes on everything
that happens. J imagine that tn,
sentiments of all the men who hav,
talked to His Excellency about Ke
poikai are down in that notebook
and when Frear comes to decide or
the matter, he will take 1t out ant
balance them up pro and con. Ant
believe he will act on his own con,
victions in the matter and recon-
mend Kepoikai for reappointment OF
not, as he believes best for all con
cerned.
OF course, the Baldwins have had
their innings with the Governor. both
IN regard to Kepoikai and in regard
10 land matters, but they have not
had II all their own way. Frear has
talked with everybody, of all sta.
lions and races. One OF his objects
in coming to Maui, as he has stated
several times, is to find out what the
people want, and what they think
about matters Of public interest, and
from what | have seen, believe. he
has been fairly successful. He ap.
pears to have won the confidence OF
both the big interests and the small
and while he made, and probably
will make, mistakes In some in
stances, / believe he intends to b,
fair to everybody. 1t looks as II tn,
matter OF Kepoikai's reappointmen
were In safe hands.
i LnNu m n InNuUNr