The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1909-02-17

courts
In the first circuit. the salaries of
the. stenogiaphers may well be reduc-
ed to $3.50, in addition to their fees for
transcribing. The Chinese and Portu-
guese interpreters and perhaps one
Hawaiian interpreter may be dispensed
with and such interpreters when need
ed may be specially employed.
These changes and other minor
changes, offset in part by certain con-
sequent increases, would involve a saw
ing Of, say, $4,000 for the period.
In the district courts the item of
$500 for Interpreters may be omitted
or greatly reduced The principal ex-
pense under this is in the district
court Of Honolulu and the municipal
act imposes upon the supervisors the
duty to provide for the compensation
of interpreters in that court.
Considerable reductions NAV ba
made also in various appropriations
or expenses Of the several courts
Tax Jurors Fees as Costs.-Ip most
places jurors fees are taxed as costs
and there is no reason why thew
should not be, subject to proper ev-
ceptions. In civil cases between pri-
vate parties the public has no direct
interest, and in criminal cases ono
found guilty cannot well complain of
being required to pay the costs in
Cured by his own misconduct. An
exception may be made in favor Of
poor persons. The courts NAV also
be given discretion in civil cases at
law, as now in equity, to tax costs of
needless proceedings to the party res
ponsible irrespective of the final re-
suit OF the case 1t may be provided
also that trial by jury shall he deem
ed waived unless demanded. When
there is so great need of funds for
general public purposes of pressing
Importance, it is only right that those
receiving special benefit or causing
special expense should recompense the
public in part at least. The public
would still bear the bulk of the ex-
pense of litigation by the maintenance
of the judiciary-in salaries. builoinps
and other ways.
Masters Fees-These and other faae
should be required to be turned into
the public treasury The system OF
payment in whole or in part by fees
except under special circumstances. is
Both unbusiness-like and democrat
izing to the service.
Terms and Circuits.-I recommend
that all terms in the second circuit
De held at the county seat in Wal
luku, thus doing away with the term
at Lahaina The obvious reason-eco-
nomy to the public and individuals
and convenience-are accentuated now
by the fact that a splendid new court
house has been erected at Wailnku
l suggest FOR your consideration the
question whether the County of Ka-
lawao should not be brought within
the first circuit for judicial purposes
lhasmuch as 1t is naturally more close
~ Identified with that circuit nv rea-
son of greater facilities of communi-
cation.
NATIONAL GUARD.
Armory.-The present housing for
the national guard and its equipment
is deplorable. The members deserve
great commentator for their seIf-sac-
rifice and enthusiastic service in face
OF the conditions. If there is to be
national guard at all, It should have
proper accommodations, not only for
the safeguarding of its equipment but
for the comfort and convenience of its
members. | recommend an appropria-
ton from the loan fund for an arm
DRY in case the National Government
restores to the Territory for the site
sufficient and suitable portion of the
barracks lot
Increase.-The last legislature ap-
propriated $4,000 a year for the ma
tional guard The National Govern
ment allotted nearly three times as
much, besides nearly twice as much
additional in equipment. The people
of the Territory are patriotic enough
to desire to do their part An appro-
priation is recommended if the ne
cessary funds can be provided. for
the purpose of enlarging the guard to
a full regiment.
AdJutant General.-This should be
a paid offcial, if sufficient funds can
be provided. The work has grown
too great to ask for its performance
without remuneration and, if the
above recommendations are carried
out, 1t will be considerably increased.
CONCLUSION.
Natural limitations forbid a review
in this message of the work accom-
plished during the period For THU |
invite your careful attention to the re-
ports of the various departments. Like
wise many subjects calling for leg
iSlatiVe action have hoo, e,,,s4.a