The Daily bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Hawaii]) 1882-1895, 1888-08-07
THE COLORELCY OF THE FORCES.
COL. ASHFORD INTERVIEWED.

The above subject has attracted
an unusual share of public attention
in the community for the past week.
The Military Act passed over the
Kings veto, will become law in the
usual course, and within thirty days
of that time, the Colonel command
ing the volunteer forces for the sue
ceeding two years will be elected by
the commissioned officers of the two
battalions of volunteers as provided
by the Act. The discussion attend
ing this matter has, for obvious
reasons, excited the most lively in
terest on the part of almost every
citizen: so much so that the BULLE-
TIN yesterday detailed special re-
porter to call on Col. Ashford,
whose name has been prominently
before the public in that connection.
On entering the Colonel's law Office
the reporter found the occupant en-
crossed with q whole platoon of Chi
nese clients; but he at once gave
his attention to the subject in hand,
and the following is the result of the
interview
Reporter: l hear you are candl-
date for the Colonelcy!
A. Yes, am.
r. The question has been asked
why you resigned from the Rifles?
A. Well, fully explained the
causes to the officers of the Rifles,
also to the Minister of War and
Navy, aud they approved my course
at the time, although they wished
me to remain. To make long
story short, the matter had become
very expensive, both in time and
money. 1 had devoted every min
ute of my spare time for year and
a half, and seriously interfered with
my business, in many cases, to the
advancement of the corps. There
was always the best of feeling be-
tween myself and every officer and
man in the corps. But it got to a
point where the corps was in full
strength, completely quipped, well
drilled and armed, and in splendid
condition generally. And as there
were no crooks" ahead, l chose to
resign.
r. But they say the Government
reimbursed you for your eXpendi-
lures.
A. That is only partially true.
The Government repaid me some
$40 in all, if l remember the
figures rightly, which had paid out
for armory rent, care-taking, fix
lures, etc., etc. This was all they
could be expected or asked to do.
But every one who knows anything
of military (volunteeer) matters,
knows that the commanding officer
who keeps up the esprit de corps
must be subject to continual pecu.
mary drain. l never complained
about this. had "been there" be-
fore and knew what it meant. But
as soon as the Rifles had been used
for the purposes of the Revolution
and for preventing the coup detat
threatened last December and Janu-
airy, leading men of the place who
thought and still think should have
been my friends for what have
done, Immediately turned theil
backs upon me and sought tc
"butcher" Inc. The details are toe
well-known to require an elucida
ton. l didn't go into the thing tc
fight those people. There was no,
thing Sin sight" worth fighting
for, anyhow, { L mean, after the
elections). So my interest in the
cause gradually tagged, by reason
perhaps, of the style Of men who put
themselves forward as its represents
atives.
R. Do you refer to the Cabine
Ministers? o
A. No, but to the "hack stairs
party-those who sat still while thu
work was being done, and, lik'
jackalls, crawled in and stole tn,
carcase after the lion had killed it
r. Then you are on friendly term
with the Ministry?
A. Personally, yes. Politically,
always make it rule to keep poll
tics and military matters entirel,
distinct. All l have to say in thi
connection is that, if elected to thi
position, l will do my duty, unde
the law as l read it: and no matte
what my private political opinion
may be, it will be sorry day TO
any country when its Government
make it test to military prefer
ment that the candidate should b.
a political lick-spittle to the part,
for the time being in power.
r. Is this your view of the pre-
sent Government-I mean on thi
narticnlar question: