The Daily bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Hawaii]) 1882-1895, 1888-08-14
THE COLONELCY or THE FORCES.
COLI ASHFORD INTERVIEWED,

an UNUSUAL snare OF IuDiiC dttGhtlbd
in the community for the past week.
The Military Act passed over the
Kings veto, VIII become law IN the
usual course, aud 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 50 that the BULLE-
TIN yesterday detailed a special re-
porter to call on Col. Ashford,
whose name has been prominently
before the public in that connection.
On entering the Coloncps law Office
the reporter found the occupant en-
crossed with n 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 a candi
date for the Colonelcy!
A. Yes, l am.
r. The question has been asked
why you resigned from the Rifles?
A. Well, L fully explained the
causes to the officers of the Rifles,
also to the Minister of War and
Navy, and 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. l had devoted every min
ute of my spare time for year and
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 l 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. l 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 L
thought and still think should have
been my friends for what have
done, Immediately turned their
backs upon me and sought to
'butcher' me. The details are too
well-llnown to require an elucida-
ton. l didn't go into the thing to
fight those people. There was no.
thing Sin sight" worth fighting
for, anyhow, q 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 represent
atives.
R. DO you refer to the Cabinet
Ministers?
A. No, but to the "bacE stairs"
party-those who sat still while the
work was being done, and, like
jackalls, crawled in and stole the
carcase after the lion had killed it.
r. Then you are on friendly terms
with the Ministry!
A. Personally, yes. Politically,
always make it rule to keep poll
tics and military matters entirely
distinct. All have to say in this
connection is that, if elected to this
position, will do my duty, under
the law as read it: and no matter
what my private political opinions
may be, it will be sorry day fol
any country when its Government
make it a test to military prefer
ment that the candidate should be
a political lick-spittle to the party
for the time being in power.
r. Is this your view of the pre-
sent Governments mean on this
particular question?
A. No: but this represents the
position the "back stairs" faction
are striving to force the Cabinet to
assume: l hope, however, without
success. This contest represents a
principle in this respect. To-day it
happens to be myself who is inter
ested. Tomorrow it may be you or
some other citizen. But there's an
end of all patriotism where it is
tolerated that executive appointments
shall be coupled with political party
seryility. / don't believe it will
work here. The Cabinet will not
submit to it, whatever their personal
To- l,A