The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1917-12-11
A. GIN, ROBERTSON
RESIGNS OFFICE OF
CHIEF JUSTICE
Cables To President Wilson An
nouncing Intention Of Leav-
ing Supreme Bench
HIS DETERMINATION ., ..,.
TO QUIT REGRETTED
Bar Association OF Hawaii Win
Hold Meeting Soon To Recon-
mend Candidate As Successor


A. q. NJ. Rob rtson has resigned as
chief justice Of the supreme Court Of
the To- ,Itory Of Hawaii, his resigna-
ia being for0 ardcd yesterday by
cable to the President at Washington.
Announcement was made by The
Advertiser week. ago that Judge
Robertson was contemplating this ac-
tion and yesterday he confirmed his
desire to leave the bench and retire
to the private practise Of the profes.
sion of law, by wiring Washington to
be relieved.
Innsmuch as Chief Justice Robert
son has expressed n wish to doff the
ermine at once, his successor may be
selected and appointed within the next
two weeks, and certainly not later
than the end of the year, although
there may possibly be some, delay
owing to the vast pressure of war
business not only with the President
but in the department of the govern
ment to which his resignation may be
referred.
Possible Successor ..,. g.,
Among the possible appOintees to
the vacant position is Judge c. w.
Ashford, first judge of the First Cir
cult Court, who is not only the lead.
ing jurist of the territorial circuit
bench, numerically speaking, but is
also of the same political faith as the
Washington administration, 49,. j..
The supreme court is the original
court of Jurisdiction in all election
contests and for this reason it is
usually composed of two members of
one political party, and one of the
other. /.
Either Of the two justices of the SUI
preme court-Justices r. p. Quarles
and James l.. Coke is, of course elig-
ible to be elevated to the chief jus.
ticeship. .'-E o..
The resignation of Judge Robertson
leaves the court without a Republican
member, Justices ,Quarles and Coke
being Democrats. 1t has been custom
aryNin the past, save during one short
interval, for the supreme bench to be
composed of tive members Of the same
political faith as that prevailing at
Washington, the third member being
of the minority party. Chief Justice
Robertson was not only a Republican,
but has been at the head of the court
since President Wilson has been in
office. There was one short period in
which all three members of the court
were Republicans
Democrat Probable t.,.
In all probability the new chief
justice will be Democrat, leaving a
justiceship vacant, to which the bar
association will probably recommend
the appointment of a Republican.
For the past week the name of
Judge c. +. Clemens, formerly second
judge of the United States court, has
been prominently mentioned as pos
sible appointee as associate Justice il
one of the Democrats is made chief
justice. III. .a's
John w Cathcart, president of the
Bar Assoc iatiOn, said yesterday that.
with the resignation of the chief Jus.
ticc now in the hands of the Presi.
dent, an early meeting of the associa-
tlOn will be called TO discuss the bench
vacancy, and recommendations for.
wardcd to Washington, this having
been customary with the bar associa
tion' with reference TO all vacancies on
the bench, either the supreme or cir
cult CouTtS.
Resignation Regretted
~ am awfully sorry to hear that
Judge Robertson has finally decided
to resign" said Attorney Frank L.
Thnmngnn lav 4
from the standpoint of the law pro.
fes"i"n, for he has been an ornament
to the highest court of our Territory.
On the other hand it is not to be
wondered at, for, during the entire
time he had been on the bench he has
made a financial sacrifice. After hay.
ing served six years as chief Justice
l suppose he has concluded that he has
m"Ie all the sacrifice in this way that
he SEould.'' -. f..
President Cathcart of the bar Assoc.
Ciution had similar views. saving
Everybody will be sorry when Judge
Robertson actually steps out of the
supreme court. - '
u. j.. Wilmington; one of the yeter.
an members Of the bar, also expressed
his regret ut the news, With refer.
en"r to what the bar association might
do, MIR. Wilmington said that when the
news Of the judges intention was
made public a short time ago there
was movement in the association %
request him not to resign. 4hlA
Before DOMINIC the ermine judge
Robertson was counsel for leading bus.
! mess firms of the Islands and was
known us Corporation lawyer, 81
and us such dealt with many Of the
most intricate legal enterprises before
the courts. As lawyer, either as
consulting or an active practitioner be.
fore the bar, Judge Robertson wa,
considered by members of his .profes.