The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1862-01-09
The Election.

The Election.
Monday last was the day fixed by law for the
choice of Representatives to the National Legis-
lature. In Honolulu. although the weather was
anything but pleasant it was not rainy. The
strong efforts to obtain voters that had been
made by the various candidates for the past ten
days, betokened u spirited election, but no one
anticipated so large a turnout as appeared. The
polls were opened at 8 O'Clock precisely, Messrs.
Judge Davis, Jos. Fuller, and j. o.. Dominis
acting as the judges appointed by law. From
the moment the officers were ready, voting COM
menced briskly, and the crowd continued to in
crease till it became impossible to approach the
ballOt-box from without, and even p~erilous to
attempt it. Policemen were stationed about to
endeavor to keep the crowd back, but it was of
no use on they pushed, the mass swaying to
and fro At this j%uncture, one of the foreign
policemen injudiciously resorted to his baton,
and struck a native over the head. This act
tended to excite the crowd, which up to this had
only evinced the usual amount of merriment
and hilarity noticeable ON such occasions. The
resort to force enraged the natives, and made
them wild with anger, and Tor 4 while it seemed
rs if an open riot would be the result. The
policeman, however, was withdrawn, which had
a tendency to appease the crowd, but for u half
hour or more the scene was a perfect Babel. No
other acts of violence appeared on the occasion
either ON the part of the crowd or the authori-
ties.
This embryo mob having been quelled, every
thing moved on as quietly US could be expected
from such q crowd as was present, which had
been largely increased by spectators, drawn to-
gether by the noise and confusion. There must
have been 5 1000 or more on the grounds at this
time. About IL O'Clock, a large procession, en-
bracing it is said about 500 Catholic voters,
came down in one body, and as they approached,
another scene of confusion began. The crowd
ing at the polls was now greater than ever. One
of the leaders of the procession, struck one
among a crowd of natives who were pushing
and left. This added to the confusion, and
for a half hour it again seemed impossible 10
prevent an open rupture, but fortunately the
procession passed up unbroken and retired. and
with it passed off the excitement and confusion.
The balloting, however, continued spirited till
ABOUT 4 O'Clock, WHEN IL VIII, evident that tho
voting was nearly over. During the last hour
only about 100 votes were polled. The names of
the voters were registered, and showed a total of
3 ,912, the largest number by several hundreds,
that has ever been polled in Honolulu. 1t was
thought by some that there must have been
spurious voting, but on reference to the tax list,
find that the number of polls taxable males)
in this district, is about $3.50, though of these
three or four hundred are unnatural
foreigners.
The large vote this year, as compared with
former years, is attributable to the strong efforts
made by the different candidates to get in voters,
and secondly to the thorough organization of the
voters. This last is a new feature in
our elections. 1t is true that on former occa-
some little show has been made towards
concentrating their vote on one ticket, but never
10 the extent that it was done this year. The
.otal number of Catholic votes cast on Monday
appears to have been about 1860. the successful
native nominee, Pomaikai, having received 1859
the united vote of that body.
It is the first time that the Catholics have APP
1eared Mt the polls rs II successful party organ
zation, three of their candidates having been
and the remaining one (Mr. Webster)
elected only by So votes over the fourth Catholic
Keolanui. We believe that the Pro-
estants have never appeared at the polls, as an
body or party, and this new feature in
ur elections may well excite the attention of the
We do not wish to be understood as
making any objection to any of the persons
for they are probably as good represen-
atives as could have been chosen. But the fact
Iow becomes apparent, that a Catholic party
as been successfully organized as such, which
to control the elections or hold the balance
{ power. When our elections are based on re-
igious distinctions, we may well pause and reflect
n the future.
We give below the total votes cast for each
a~ndidate, tie first four having been elected.
he counting of votes occupied from D P. NJ. till
midnight, or about seven hours, aEi at the
nd the judges and ~tallymen appeared to be
retty well worn out with the service.