Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1916-11-24
APPOINTMENT BY
PRESIDENT COMES
ASPLEAsANT news
HonoIuIans Gratified at TeIe.
gram Telling of Selection
of JuriSt Here
TAKES STUART'S PLACE
ON BENCH OF ISLAND
New Official Has Been in Ha-
Waii 19 Years and Served in
Several Public offices


(Assoeiatcd Press by Federal wireless)
WASHINGTON, .. c., Nov. "a
James 1. Coke of Honolulu was today
appointed BY President Wilson az
third Judge Of the circuit court, first
circuit, Hawaii.
News OF jim Coke's selection as
third circuit 5urist was given by the
Star.Bulletin to a number OF inter,
ested persons In court circles and
among the legal fraternity at noon to
day, when the despatch arrived, and
Immediately the congratulations be.
gan to pour In on the popular attor-
ney.
Many weeks ago the Star-Bulletin
forecast Coke's selection, on the basis
Of authoritative news from Washing
ton. 1t has been understood for some
time that he was the choice OF the
attorney generals department, which
had recommended him to the presi-
dent, and that the only bar to his ap-
pointment was the fact that he was a
territorial senator, and there is a pro-
vision in the Organic Act making
members OF the legislature ineligible
for such Office. >ss-ssA
Coke reEigned his .senatorship prior
20 the recent territbfial elections
Howevek the wor6ilI D the Organic
Act maintained Ms disability for his
official term This term, it has
evidently been Held V the authorities
in Washington, ehAed when his sue
cessor was elected, that is, at the re-
cent general tls6tiohss
II is therefore .conjectured that as
soon as the president returned tc
Washington and took up a mass of
official tasks demanding his attention
just after election the appointment
OF the Hawaii jurist was definitely
settled and today's recess appoint
ment followed.
The appointment win come before
the next session for confirmation, but
there is no question but that it will
be confirmed. Coke has many strong
friends in Congress, besides the back
ing Of the attorney generals depart
ment
He takes the place left vacant when
Judge T. B. Stuart resigned, accom-
panying his resignation with the now
famous letter severely eriticizing the
president, Secretary Lane, Governor
Pinkham and others.
Has Been Long In Hawaii +
James l.. Coke has been a resi-
dent of the island for nearly 19 years
He came from Coos Bay. Ore, where
he had taken two years study at the
University OF Oregon, and completed
his law work by private study, later
being admitted TO practise before the
supreme court Of the state.
After he was here a short time he
went to Maui In the latter part of
1898 and remained there for IL years
He served on Maui as prosecuting and
county attorney with success. Com,
ing TO Honolulu in 1909, he began
practise. In 1919 he was elected to
the territorial senate. leading tn,
Democratic ticket with one of the
biggest votes ever given on Oahu. He
served two terms in the senate, re
signing as previously related
He has recently been serving as at
torney for the public utilities commits
sion.
Mr.. Coke is Al years of age-one of
the youngest judges in the territory
and married He Is member Of sew.
eral clubs, societies and fraternal or
ders and a popular citizen.
"One of the gratifying things about
my appointment, he commented to
day. lis that everybody tells me ii
has met general favor"
II is probable that he will be direct.
ed by cable or mail to qualify at once.