Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1914-12-02

police force or the detective force.
their services being available and not
required except on comparatively rare
occasions. There has been another
$50 required for interpreters. The
amount paid to witnesses ! don't
know, not having had it reported to
me or not having looked it up, but all
this shows, gentlemen CT the bar and
gentlemen of the jury, that it is cost
ing this city and county tremendous
lot Of money to administer justice in
this department, quite irrespective Of
what is happening in the other two
departments.
Il do not feel that we could have
done any better. feel that this jury
Is being driven to just about the limit,
and that the court is doing and has
been doing all. in it's power to facili-
tate and hurry up within the limits
of reason the trial or other DISPOSE
ton Of the cases upon the calendar.
Il find that during the three months
of trial work since assumed this
bench that We have disposed OF some
ITO cases. | found about 40 cases
upon this calendar. There are now in
the vicinity Of 100 cases still left.
Add that to the 10 disposed Of, would
make 270, that have been upon this
calendar since we began business
here on the first day of September.
That is pretty formidable calendar,
as far as mere numbers is concerned, :
but feel that we have done we'll;
nevertheless | am considerably dis
mayed at the tremendous expense.
feel that the jury are to be compli-
mented for their strict attention to
business and for the promptitude with
which they have rendered verdicts
where they have found themselves
able to agree; that they have not dis
agreed except in cases where reason
able men might we'll disagree; that
they have protected the innocent
while convicting the guilty, or at least
that they have shown a fine and a
good and reasonable discrimination in
these matters.
1t is my view that no man has been
convicted by this jury since assumed
this position, against whom there was
not adequate evidence and plenty of
evidence to convict. The jury on sew
eral occasions has felt that there was
not sufficient evidence to convince
them beyond a reasonable doubt of
the guilt of the party on trial and in
such instances they have not hesitat-
ed to acquit, as they should not hest
tate to acquit.
All in all, feel that we have an
excellent jury and that they are work
ing well together among themselves,
with the court and with the prosecut-
ing attorney. We are therefore to be
in SO far as those condi-
tions 60, but think we must try and
work little harder to reduce expens-
es if we can. 1t does seem little bit
to nay mind that the ex-
penses of the criminal division of this
circuit court should be as high as they
are, but / declare, in looking back
casually over, We will say, the last
scarcely see where a dollar
could have been clipped off.
1.-The court has certainly endeavor-
ed to keep these expenses within
bounds by refusing to assign counsel
except in cases wh3re there was some
peculiar circumstances calling for it,
or where the seriousness of the charge
was such as to manifestly impose that
duty upon the court. l have not been
entirely satisfied with my own posi-
ton upon that point, and have writ
ten to the Bar Association requesting
their views as to whether indiscrimin
ate assignments of counsel should be
made; that is to say, that every de-
PENDANT charged with a felony should
be allowed counsel at the expense Of
the public treasury. If this is to be
done it will bore a hole into the pub
lie treasury that 4 man could hide in, |
and, am informed, will bring forth
of resentment. and it is
for that reason among others that
have asked the opinion of my breth- |
80 hn hor