The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1909-09-04
ADMITS THE
MAIN FACTS
Judge Robinson's Letter Re-
pudiates Very
Little.

Circuit Judge Robinson has virtual
ly apologized to the law firm of Kin
ney. Ballou, Prosser & Anderson for
the interview with him that appeared
yesterday morning in the Advertiser
in connection with the end of the con-
tempt proceedings. The judge does not
repudiate the interview; in fact, he
reiterates several of the most import
ant statements made in it. The state
ment in regard to put-up job His
Honor smootbs over some and says
that in making the statement that the
stopping of Oyama by the strike pick
cts might well be put-up job between
Manager Bull and the japanese, he
was quoting Mr.. Lightfoot, rather
than expressing his own sentiments.
He was so quoted In the Advertiser.
But in making that statement to the
reporter, Judge Robinson. although
quoting Attorney Lightfoot, did so of
his own initiative and in such manner
that the inference was unmistakable.
He also mentioned the strange fact
that although the Injunction was sign
ed only July 9, much of the mass of
documents in the ensuing contempt
proceedings was prepared by July 10.
Quoting this from Mr.. Lightfoot,
Judge Robinson made the statement
Just as he was quoted in the Adver-
tiser. that he didn t know, of course,
that the documents were already pre-
pared even before the injunction was
ssued, but it did look very strange.
AS a matter of fact, Judge Robin
son $ interview, from the manner in
which it was given and the intonations
and looks that emphasized many of the
statements, was much more vigorous in
spoken words than in cold print. But
it frequently happens that man who
is being interviewed says things that
appear very different to him when
they come out in black and white.
The interview was vigorous, I'M
usually vigorous. and the reporter who
the warmth with which the Judge
spoke, and pleasantly surprised at
finding a man in his position so re-
gardless of personal consequences.
But His Honor appears to have con
tracted severe case of cold feet since
the publication of the interview-more
particularly since he received a per-
emptory note from the prosecution,
which did not like his comments on
the contempt proceedings and the char
acter of the evidence introduced by
The prosecution. The Judge is not
quoted in the Advertiser as making
any comment whatever on the conduct
of the attorneys in preparing the case.
In view Of the fact that Judge Rob
inson IS term expires in few months,
it would be interesting to know what
else took place between him and the
attorneys besides the exchange of the
following letters:
Honolulu, September 8, 1909.
Honorable W. J. Robinson, Honolulu.
Dear Sir: VIII you kindly inform
us whether you were correctly report
ed in a purported interview published
on page II of this mornings Adver-
iser, in which you are represented as
discussing the evidence in the con
tempt proceedings, reliability of the
witnesses for the prosecution and the
conduct of our firm in preparing the
.ase.
Mr.. Prosser and myself called this
morning to see you personally in the
natter, but find you on the bench en-
gagged in the trial of case. We take
ais method of reaching you, and of
requesting reply at your earliest
convenience.
Very truly yours,
CTDNEv DAFT NTT