The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1874-01-31
Thirty Days of Hawaiian History
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gan TO circulate TO the effect that Col. kalakaua was
making every effort to influence the legislators in his
favor, and much uneasiness was felt lest the election
Of the first should be reversed by the action Of the
Legislature, in which case there seemed little doubt
but that serious civil disorder would ensue. On the
afternoon of Monday the sixth, these rumors devel-
oped into definite reports, and it was stated that
Hon. Mr.. Kipi, a member from Hawaii of consider
able influence, had been gained over by Col. Kala-
kaua. Later in the evening several more members
were reported to have followed Mr.. Kipi.
Kalakaua had staked his hopes on the legislative
election. 1t does not appear that he entered the
election of the first of January as a candidate, but
simply stroye by his proclamation and in other ways
TO cause It's failure.
Tuesday had been appointed for the funeral Of the
late king, but after the troops and people began TO
assemble for the procession, the clouds which had
been gathering on the mountains through the morn
ing, darkened the whole sky and poured down a
copious shower which scattered the gathered MOURN
es and caused the funeral to be postponed till Satur-
day. In the evening the accounts of the recreancy
Of representatives became more definite and alarm
ing, and it seemed doubtful whether the election Of
the Prince could be carried, especially as it was be-
lieved that q considerable number of the mobiles were
unfavorable TO him. The excitement in the city Of
Honolulu both among natives @Hd farSie"Nss ~Nn
great, ana the morrow was awaited with anxious
foreboding.
The eighth of January opened with n bright, calm
morning. All business was given up to the one
work of the day,-the settlement of the succession
to the throne. During the forenoon the streets were
filled with groups of people Of all classes and races,
eagerly talking over the coming event. The latest
rumors as to the position of the different represent
atiYes were discussed with discouraging conclusions.
The mobiles were weighed in the balances of public opin-
ion but without Frightening the prospect. Actual
fighting was regarded as inevitable should the cleo
ton reverse the vote of the first. Many prepared
themselves for emergencies by arming.
Early in the morning Prince Lunalilo with a num-
Der of his friends debated the events Of the day and
their possible results. Little satisfaction was gained
from this consultation. They were unable to count
enough undoubted supporters in the Assembly to en-
sure the election. The Prince was grave and anx-
ious. lie was aware Of the spirit Of the people and
that it was their resolute determination to greet him
as King that day. No one could divine all that
might happen.
At the same time quite a different scene was TAX
ing place at Kalakaua's house. The gallant Colonel
was preparing himself and his friends for the for
tunes of the day over the viands of a well appointed
DTeahldSl, U WHICH u uuliDcE VI tlc REPRESENTATIVES,
and others had been invited. The affair was gener-
ally regarded as a political move. but whatever may
have been the intention, the meal passed OF in an
ordinary manner, and little was said about the
claims of the rivals to the throne. The number
present was small.
Noon was the time fixed for the sitting Of the
Legislature, and az it drew near the current Of
movement in the streets, tended toward the Court
House; many Of the crowd were armed with stones and
cudgels and some with rcvolyers, borne with a grim
determination to see the question settled Immediately
and their choice proclaimed as King in one way if
not in another. They thronged into the Court House
square and surrounded the building, where they
quietly waited for such instruction as events might
afford. When the doors Of the audience division Of
the Legislative Hall were opened. those nearest
thronged in and filled it at once. At noon the AS
sembly was called to order. Nearly all Of the MEM
bers we're in their seats y few moments later a
tumultuous cheering from the crowd outside an
nounced the arrival of the Prince, who had walked
over from his residence with two or three friends.
When he entered the Hall, the audience arose and
welcomed him with hearty shouts.
Business was opened by the presentation and read
ing by the Cabinet Of the late king, ocument re-
lating to his demise and to their subsequent official
action. The motion was then made that the Legis-
lature proceed Immediately to the election Of q king
from among the chiefs Of the kingdom, according to
the provision Of the Constitution for a vacancy in
the succession; when this was passed. Lunalilo left
the Hall, and awaited in an adjoining room, the re-
suit. As the members had taken their seats they
had each received a duplicate letter from Col. Kala-
kaua, stating his claim to the throne as being a
member of an ancient and honorable line Of Hawai-
ian chieftains, and requesting their votes in the en-
suing election. The letter was manly in its tone and
couched in simple and appropriate language quite
different from his gorgeous manifesto Of the twenty
eighth Of December He was not present through
the proceedings but remained at the Palace with the
military on guard over the still unburied corpse of
the late king. Another paper printed over the sig
nature Of The People - was also distributed among
the members reminding them Of the national deci-
sion of New Years day and suggesting that they
should all sign their names to their ballots that it
might be known who, if any, should try to thwart
the wishes of the people. For the more successful
carrying out of this suggestion, Mr.. Simon Kaai,
member from Hawaii, made the extraordinary mo-
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