Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1913-04-16
CLEMONS IN
Open Letter
URGES AINAHAU
Federal Judges Strong in Favor
of Acceptance of Cleghorn
Gift-Arguments of 0pposi-
ton Are Answered Emphati-
caIly

Federal Judge Charles F. Clemons
has written the following open letter
to the house of representative. Both
Judge Clemons and Judge Dole declare
themselves strongly for the accept
ance of Ainahau:
IAINAEIAU: THE CLEGHORN GIFT
An Open Letter to the Members OF the
House of Representatives.
Anyone who had attempted to ans
wer the speech of Judge Humphreys
at the public hearing on senate bill
No. 81 laccepting the Cleghorn gift OF
Ainahau), after the admirable and
stirring speech of Mr.. Thurston,
would have run the risk of compari-
son on every point which makes up
perfect oratory. But on one phase
Judge Humphreys argument was
barely touched, and that phase / con-
ceive to be of such Importance that /
venture a reply. burned, as others
must have, to reply then and there,
but the matter was so delicate, in
volving personalities, the interests of
particular living individuals as against
the best ultimate good of all others,
both living and yet to be, that L
doubted my ability to handle it with
tact and consideration. The fool"
would have declared himself by then
stepping in" after those angels" Of
eloquence had spoken. But the par
ticular point was made by Judge
Humphreys, and also by Allan Her
bert, and emphasized by them in their
own peculiar, effective way, and calls
for an answer despite the feelings of
anybody interested.
IL their argument means anything,
Il means just thfs-though the pro
ponents would never have put 1t so:
The legislature should not counte-
nance such q gift when 1t depriyes
the natural objects OF the testator's
bounty (oratorical and law court
"fIub-dubp by the way) of what they
would otherwise receive. The legis-8
lature should lend its aid to providing
for the living rather than honorfng
the memory of the dead.
Very well. But who are the natural
objects OF the testator's bounty? Are.
we to say that because Mr.. Cleghorn
did not give his last cent to the eff
teen grandchildren" and to the closer
heirs, who were dragged into the con-
troversy Though presently shut out
by the graceful and forceful tact Of
the presiding officer, Doctor Huddy),
but chose to give some of it, good
share of it, to unnamed and uncertain
hundreds and probably thousands who
would directly enjoy Ainahau and get
inspiration, good health, and even
good morals ESQ great is the bower
Of beautiful nature), and who would
indirectly benefit from the employ
ment given to probably more than
Fifteen grandchildren" of somebody,
that therefore he Is to be thus reprov-.
ed for making his will as he did, or
that the legislature is to be criticized
in advance for accepting this gift, as
believe they will see the wisdom
and the fairness and justice of doing.
II Mr.. Cleghorn had left S,sscend-
ents who were in need, or likely to be,
who had not parents to provide for
them, and If he had not done some
thing for them (How much, will be
pointed out below, then there might
be some call for an argument such
as is advanced against this bill But
such is not the case, or If 1t is the
case, no one has been heard to say
so. y
Al