Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1915-04-02
bingham strongly to build the Oahu

bingham strongly to build the Oahu
railway. enabling him to carry out
the scheme, when that gentleman, dis
couraged and disheartened. was ready
to sell his franchise to an English syn
dictate.
Mr. Robinson was one of the found
ers Of the First National Bank of Ha.
waii at Honolulu and the affiliated
First American Savings and Trust
Company OF Hawaii, Ltd. which were
started as soon after annexation as
their charters could be obtained. and
at his death had for years been vice
president of both institutions.
Lively Interest as Citizen.
Although not a politician of the
machine" type. Mr.. Robinson always
took a lively interest in the welfare
of his country and its institutions.
When the reform movement, provoked
by the Samoa and other incidents Of
Kalakaua's jubilee year (1SS61, was In
augurated he gave it his support He
was an active member of the execu-
tive committee of the Hawaiian league
during the agitation that eliminated
in the revolution of 1887, when a new
constitution by PRONUNCIATION was
gained, and served as one Of the
mobiles elected under that instrument
in the special session of 1887 and
the regular session of 1883. He was
again elected to the upper house in,
1892, and near the close of the mem.
cradle session of that year was called
into the cabinet by Queen Liliuokala-
nj This ministry was expected to
weather the storm until after adjourn
ment, but fell under vote of want of
confidence carried by majority of
only one It's fall on the eve of pro-
rogation, together with other disturb
ing causes. precipitated the overthrow
of the monarchy within a week after
the close of the legislature.
Mr.. Robinson in 1877 married an
American lady, who died about ~
years later, leaving him with three
children. BY integrity and trustworth.
mess in all his dealings Mr.. Robinson
has always held the confidence and
respect of all classes of the comnu.
nifty, ever being regarded as one of
those entitled to the proverbial enco-
MUM, that, his word is as good as
his bond In addition to his bust
ness capacity he was possessed of gen.
erous impulses, as, many an unherald-
ed act of Kindness would testify He
was also devoted to the promotion of
art and refinement, one evidence
among many others in that regard be-
ing his possession of magnificent
collection of rare volumes.
The Robinson library at the Nuuanu
avenue residence has for years been
considered as the finest collection of
splendid literary works in the Hawai-
ian islands Three sides Of spacious
room are lined to height OF Is feet.
with cases filled with edition de luxe
and many autographs. works. 1t was
the pride of the f1nancier and repre-
scented a large investment.
About three years ago Mr.. Robinson
was In negotiation with mainland
bcoklovers who wished to buy his II.
brary. It was popularity appraised at
that time as worth at least $4,000
and some estimates reached 500, 1000.
The negotiations were not closed and
ne remained In possession OF his II.
brary, to which he had since added
materially.
Mr.. Robinson last night attended a
meeting of Rose Croix chapter, Scot
fish rite of Masons, when he appeared
In excellent spirits On entering the
rooms he stepped up behind George
w. Smith and, giving him a. friendly
clap on the shoulder, greeted him with
Halloa, old boy, how are your"
John A. Mcguire, the welI-known
rancher of Kona. Hawaii, who hap
pens to be in town, was intensely
grieved at the death of Mr.. Robinson.
In expressing his profound regret to
a Star-Bulletin reporter who met him
on the street, lie said that MIR. Robin
son. and he had been close friends
from their small boyhood Mr.. Ma
guire shares with HIS dead friend the
credit to Hawafians who have made
Snad I'm hip hneiuoea 49," ..' 49,.