The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1908-06-04
TAYLOH'S
Commission
CONTINUED from Page One.)

on King street, on January 7, 1907,
where it was proposed that he allow
the game of pakapio to run and that,
after several meetings and much
dicker.ng, Taylor had agreed to the
proposition and had been paid $50
in gold, for his promise to refrain
from arresting Lee Let, Lee Chong
and others. Taylor was then called
into court as the first witness.
Taylor after the usual question stat
ed that he was unable to produce
his original commiss.O on, having mis-
laid it. He produced a copy, which
was offered to the court as evidence.
Thompson proceeded to examine
Taylor in regard to the loss of his
commission. He stated that he
thought that he had taken the com
mission with HIM to San Francisco
but had not been able to find it since.
The introduction of the copy was OBJ
jected to by Thompson on the ground
that it was a commission issued to
a police constable" while the indict-
ment charged Lee Let with brlbing
police officer" Larnach claimed
that there was no distinction be-
tween a police officer and a police
constable.
Larnach added that the commission
certainly showed that Taylor was
chief of detectives. This according
to Thompson added fuel to the flame,
as there is no such office in law as
that assumed by Taylor.
AF
in a civil case was brought in by
Larnach holding that the terms po-
lice officer and police constable were
synonymous. Thompson replied that
in a criminal case 1t was very diff
! ferent, as the case was bound abso-
lutely by the four corners of the in
dictment
Judge Robinson sustained the OBJ
lection that due and diligent search
had not been made, and refused TO
allow the introduction of the copy as
evidence. This was done on the
ground that Taylor himself had stat
ed that he still had hope of finding
the original commission. Judge Rob.
inson did not take any action on the
second ground.
Thompson moved to strike out Tay-
loC's testimony that he is a police
officer. The objection was overruled
without prejudice. Taylor then des-
CTibed the search he had made, stat
ing that it was incomplete and that
he still might find the document. He
stated that he was not even sure
whether he had taken it to San Fran
cisco.
Taylor was withdrawn as a witness
and Sheriff Iaukea called to the stand.
He testified that Taylor had been a
police officer since January, 1907. No
thing more was brought out by Lar,
mach who turned over the witness to
! Thompson. The latter proceeded to
examine the witness in regard to
Taylor's commission. The fight came
again over the terms officer and con
stable. Iaukea was compelled to state
that he had given the commission
as a police constable" though ne
said that he appointed him a police
officer"
Taylor was then recalled. He was
examined in regard to Lee Let anC
stated that he had become acquaint
ed with him in the store of Yuer
Chong on February 5, 1907. He sale
that he went there at the Request
of II. M. Ayres to meet Lee Let. He
said that he was introduced to Lee
Let by Chinaman named Lee Chong
Testimony was stricken out, on the
ground that no conspiracy was eharg
ed.
On entering the store with Ayre'
Taylor said that they were met BY
Lee Chong who took them to bacl
office where they met Lee Let. Al
sat down and drank whiskey, smok
ed cigars and ate lichee nuts. Hal
an hour was occupied W tn genera
conversation. Then Lee Let breach
ed the bribery matter by a suggestion
that he would like to talk to Taylol
in private. Ayres and Lee Tom re
tired. Lee Let sat down close to thu
witness. He said that his cousin Let
, Tom wanted to start pakapio anC
chefa games, but was new at this
business and he, Lee Let, would han
die it. rrr
Lee Let stated that ondltionI
would be made that would be gooC
for both and that he had good back
b u--.--e-.-e.--..,-.--s