The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1889-08-06
THE KING CONFORMS.

He Comedies All the Points Asked for
by the Government, Upon Learning
that the Supreme Court had Decide
Against the Stand Ee had Taken.
AS was stated in the ADVERTISER yes
terday, the King had refused to sign the
commission of Col. V. V. Ashford, as
commander of the Hawaiian volunteers,
although advised by the Cabinet so to
do. He also disputed the authority of
the Minister of Foreign Affairs to dis
pose of arms and ammunition then IN
charge of the corps known as the
"King's Guard"
His Majesty has now receded from the
position above stated, and the following
documents explain how the change
came about.
Honolulu, H. L., Aug. 3, 1889.
To the Hon. A. Francis Judd, Chief
Justice Supreme Court.
SIR: The Cabinet desire to submit
for your consideration the following
statement of facts, and respectfully re-
upon the question hereinbeloW stated.
STATEMENT OF FACTS.
His Majesty the King claims the right
to exercise his personal discretion in and
concerning the performance OF official
executive duties of the Sovereign, such
as making appointments requiring the
royal signature; appointment and re-
moval of diplomatic and consular officers
accredited by the Hawaiian Government
abroad; the acknowledgment of foreign
diplomatic and consular representatives
from abroad to the Hawaiian Kingdom
the authority over and control OF the
| military forces and munitions of war
belonging to the Hawaiian Government,
etc.
His assertion of and action in pursu-
ance with this claim has now come to
such point that the orderly progress OF
the business of the Government is seri-
ously interfered with and the preserva-
ton of the public peace menaced.
Under these circumstances the Cabl-
net this day formulated and presented
to His Majesty the following statement
of principles, viz:
"Before going further, the Cabinet de-
sire a thorough understanding with
your Majesty upon the following point
viz: The Government in all it's depart.
ments must be conducted by the Cabi-
net, who will be solely and absolutely
responsible for such conduct. Youl
Majesty shall in future sign all docu
ments and do all acts which under the
laws or the Constitution require the sig
nature or act of the Sovereign, when adj
vised so to do by the Cabinet, the Cabi-
net being solely and absolutely respon-
sible for any signature of any document
or act 80 done or performed by their adj
vice."
The Cabinet advised His Majesty thai
such statement of principles is in ac-
cordance with the Constitution and tina
it was his duty to assent thereto.
In reply to such advice by the Cabinet
His Majesty replied that he considered
the request to consent to such statement
of principles as uncalled for and insult
ing, and declined to assent thereto.
The Cabinet therefore respectfully re-
quest the opinion of the Supreme Court
upon the following question, viz:
Is the authority and responsibility O
the Cabinet as set forth in the above
statement of principles in accordance
with and in pursuance OF the Constitu
ton or not?
(Signed.) L. A. THURsToN,
Minister Interior
IONA. AUSTIN,
Minister Foreign Affairs
S. M. DAMON,
Minister of Finance
G. w. ASHFORD,
Attorney General