The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1911-02-03
Letter Of Resignation Presented
Yesterday to Governor for
the President.
TAKES EFFECT ON MARCH
RuWOr Names Cooper as Sue
CessOr-Says He Would AC-
Cept the Position.
fFrom Thursday,s Advertiser.l

(From Thursdays Advertiser.)
Chief Justice Alfred s. Hartwell of
the territorial supreme court yesterday
forwarded his resignation from the high
office which he holds, to Governor Frear
with the request that it be sent on to
President Taft at Washington. The
resignation will be sent to the national
capital on the next mail to the Coast.
The chief Justice mentioned no rea-
sons for his resignation and asked that
it might take effect at the end of this
month, if possible, or upon the appoint
ment and qualification of his success
sor. He stated in his letter to the
President, conveying the resignation,
that he considered it advisable that all
cases now pending before the supreme
court be. disposed of before he steps
down from the bench, and adds that he
believes that is possible within the pres
emit month.
Cooper win Accept.
The public has long believed that
the circuit court is to be the successor
to Chief Justice Hartwell, whose resig-
nation had been expected, and he will
uOuDbltbS NC b06 luObb
in the discussion of the appointment.
Judge Cooper stated yesterday that
he was not ''an applicant for the posi-
tiOn,'' explaining that he considered
an application for such a high position
incompatible with the high dignity of
the office. He announced, however, his
readiness to accept the position should
it be rendered him.
Republican Committee Ready.
Chairman Cooper, of the Republican
executive committee, yesterday even
ing, stated that the resignation of Chief
Justice Hartwell had just been called
to his attention. The matter of en-
dorsing a successor would be taken up,
he said, Immediately by the committee.
"Those things should not be left un-
done too long," remarked Mr.. Cooper.
Distinguished Record.
The retiring chief justice has dis
tinguished record as soldier, jurist
and citizen. He was born in Dedham,
Massachusetts, June IL, 1886, and was
educated at Harvard; receiving the de-
gree of A. B. in 1858 and LII. B. in
1867. During the Civil War he served
with distinction in the Union ranks,
being promoted successfully to lieu
tenant, captain, lieutenant-colonel,
colonel and brigadier.general. His mill
tary record as colonel of the Fifty
fifth Massachusetts Infantry was es-
pecially admirable, and later when he
was in command of brigade in South
Carolina, consisting of New York
Pennsylvania, Massachusetts and Uni
ted States troops he was brevetted
brigadier-general for gallantry at the
battle of Honey Hill, where he was
wounded four times and had horse
killed under him. After serving all
through the war, he was mustered Out
April 3, 1866. n.
After the war, Judge Hartwell re
turned and finished his course IN the
Harvard Law School. He then prae
ticed law in Boston until 1868, at which
time he was appointed first associate
justice of the Supreme Court of Hawaii
serving until 1874, when he became
attorney general under the reign Of
King Kalakaua. He served but a few
months in that capacity, but again ac
cepted the office in December, 1876
resigning in July, 1873.
In 1904 he became associate justice
of the supreme court, and on August
is, 1907, was elevated to his present
position as chief justice, succeeding
Governor Frear.