The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1886-08-04
A Prof1igate King.

AAS AOohOWASA 4c4ouNo IS N6IY
tunate in their king. A Honolulu let
ter says: david Kalakaua has now been
on the throne of the Hawaiian Kingdom
for twelve years. Previous to his eleva-
ton to the throne he was a boatman in
the Harbor of Honolulu, and used to
pick up some money at night by playing
the banlo.in one of the waterfront dives.
He is superbly built native, but, like
most of the Kanakas, he has no regard
for principle, is profoundly selfish, and
h hop given up t to gross vices He
blood in his veins, however, and when,
in 1874, an election was held under the
farce of what is called constitutional
monarchy, Kalakaua was picked up out
of the gutter and was run by the strong
American missionary party in opposition
to Queen Emma, who showed great par
TALLY for the Church of England. Kali
akauas friends were the better politicians
and they were successful. For two or
three years the change did him good and
he behaved well, living economically and
taking warm interest in the welfare of
his people.
with proper advisers Kalaka,la
might have remained model monarch,
but he suffered from the influence of evil
Observation-Disclosures who took Office
under him merely.to further their private
ends and who suggested many ways in
which he could legally divert the public
funds into his own pocket. One of his
early attempts was to seize the fees which
reverted to the crown for certain duties
performed by officers of the Interior De-
partment. He was greatly incensed when
the honest head of his department re-
fused to deliver up these fees, and de-
clared that they were public moneys.
The King has been literally provided
Tor, as we'll as most Of his family, yet he
is always in straits for cash. Heis given
$4,000 every two years for the privy
purse, $20,000a year for palace expenses,
al6,OOO for the Queen, and like sum
for Mrs. John Dominis, the Kings sister
and the wife of the Governor of Oahu
Maui, the Governor himself receiving
$1,000. Another sister of the King,
Mrs. Archie Cleghorn, rect ives $4,000
and her daughter $4,000 In addition
to thesoSgenerous allowances-fori it must
be remembered that the annual expenses
OF native are not more than $50, as he
lives mainly on poi and raw fsh-the
King was allowed $4,000 by the Leg
lslature for the palace stables. This sum
ne used to build a private stable, which
ne stocked with horses and ten hacks,
which he hired out to run in opposition
to the regular carriage companies in
Honolulu. Besides all these sources of
revenue the King receives yearly rent
al of not less than 100000 from the
crown lands, which comprise some of the
best sugar estates on the islands. The
opposition party in the Legislature has
tried for several years to compel the
King to disclose the exact sum which he
receives from these crown lands, but
without success.
With all this money Kalakaua is per-
ennially in debt. When he took the IA
nous trip around the world he brought
in bill for $22,5O0, which was paid
with some grumbling by the Legislature.
When the coronation was projected an
allowance Of $4,000 was made, with the
provision that, if this sum was exceeded,
1T should come out of the Kings privy
purse. The lavish coronation ceremonies
cost $4,000, and the sum had to be
paid, as the privy purse was empty and
the King himself so deeply in debt that
for the credit of the Kingdom the Legis.
lature voted him $4,000 to satisfy the
most pressing of his creditors. What be-
comes Of the large sums received by
Kalakaua is a mystery which no one has
yet solved. He has no more idea of the
value Of money than had Ludwig o.
Bavaria. He has few expensive tastes
but he has one strong passion which
freely INDUCED, drains him of all hit
coin. This is gambling The Hawaiian
are as fond Of all games of chance az the
North American Indian, and the Kinl
is said to be no mean hand at our grea
national game Of poker.
Since this article was in type we have me
with a reply to it from the Rev. DR.. Titus Nun
sen Coan, formerly missionary in the Sand
witch Islands, and an Old school-fel'ow Of Kin
Kalaksua at Honclu DR.. Coan says it doe
injustice to King Kalakaua, who is neither
druukard nor gambler; and the worst tina
can be said Of him is that he has the easy going
pleasure-loving instincts Of his race and tina
the implicit confidence he has in his ability T.
govern his realm, leads him too often to choos
compliant counsellors, &C." The statement tba
be was a 'boatman, and used to pick up none,
by playing the banjo, &c +" DR.. Coan says
r,rsA ,,t-,o T.. odI. o. Tbo ,-,rc+,- Il a.