The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1890-06-14
Afternoon Session.

Afternoon Session.
The House re-assembled at As Pm.
Minister Austin-I rise to question of
pr; :ilege. wish to say few words as
to tie charges made against me in the
majority report of the Foreign Affairs
committee
Rep. Kalua-I think anything which
the Minister may wish to say is out of
place, because the report is not now be-
fore the House. When the report is re-
turned from the printing committee he
can have an opportunity to make re-
ply, as think he ought to have. I
think His Excellency's remarks are out
of place, because the House is now on
that order of business l rise to point
of order.
President rule that the Minister is
in order.
Minister Austin-I shall not make a
speech, but simply reply to few state
ments. The report of the committee
contains four charges against me.
l. That did not obey the instructions
of the House in furnishing documents
beginning January l, 1889.
In reply, state that [ did lay before
the House all the correspondence. There
were no letters or documents.
2. Of having removed, or caused to be
removed, Letter SO, containing matter
with regard to Treaty, and the answer to
that letter.
In reply, state that 1t is totally un-
true. l did not abstract Letter 38. It is
q confidential letter in my. possession,
referring to important matters not con-
nected with the proposed Treaty. The
only remark referring to Treaty referred
to treaties already in existence, and con-
tanned the suggestion that it was a pity
the present Treaty did not contain any
guarantee of our independence. (The
speaker read the passage in question and
also passages from the other letter re-
ferred to, the reply to Letter 49,
3. Of refusing to communicate to the
minutes of Cabinet meetings referring to
the Treaty.
state in reply, that the House did not
call for the Cabinet minutes, but on the
contrary distinctly refused so to do. AS
matter of fact these minutes do not
contain any matter which would throw
any light on the Treaty.
4. Having acknowledged that most of
the correspondence was in the shape,
not Of confidential letters but private let
tiers OF his own he refused to submit
these letters to the committee.
I submit the fourth charge is rather
indefinite. If it merely charges me with
claiming that my private correspondence
is my own / admit it..
1t is customary that the preliminary
letters with regard to negotiation are
always private until the matter is &c
situated that some official action could
be taken. l asked Mr.. Carter if he
thought we could enter into any further
treaty relation with the United States
He thought we could, and he made q
draft. He stated that the United States
might ask for privilege of landing troops
but said as Hawaiian he would oppose
that. asked him to put such clause
into form which he did and it was re.
| jected by all of the Cabinet. It was
said that it would give any existing gov.
eminent too much power, and also
think that the King would object to it.
| (The Minister quoted from the report
showing that the Foreign Affairs com
mittee had misrepresented the words o.
Minister Carter by emitting some o
them in quoting. After making some
structures on the conduct of the commit
tee he said):
In conducting the affairs of the For
| elgn Office have always endeavored tc
preserve the autonomy of the Kingdom.
The Minister'S correspondents must
necessarily confide fully on his officia
honor which they could not do if he be-
trayed previous correspondence. l hav.
always been and am opposed to any
scheme which would result in annexa
ton or any form of protectorate.
Rep. Marques-This is not the time
to discuss the treaty matter, but l hope
there will be full discussion when the
documents are before the House.
President-There is nothing before thu
House
Rep. Marques-I wish to move tina
the remarks of Minister Austin be trans
lated and printed. Carried.
Noble Widemann introduced the fol
lowing resolution of want of confidence
Whereas, it is painfully apparent tina
His Majesty's constitutional advisers ar,
irreconcilably divided against them
| selves, and
Whereas, it is manifestly impossible
to otherwise heal the dissension in
manner conducive to the best Interest,"
of the Kingdom. except by a dissolution
of the Cabinet, and such course mark
ing the truest patriotism
Therefore, be it resolved, that Thu
Assembly do mark its dissatisfaction will
the existing state of affairs by declarin,
a want Of confidence in the Ministry.
Noble Widemann in introducing tn,
resolution said-Mr. President, it wa
denied the other day from the ministe
rial bench that Daniel Foster was eve
named as President of the republic. 4
member of the League asked me how h,
would do. l said l took no stock il
him. He then asked me what do 70,
think OF Jonathan Austin. said l tax,
much less stock in him than in tn,
other. Mr.. President, we have had
revolution here of which all the tow
knew except the Ministry. Lately W,
have had rumors of revolution of which
no one knew anything except the Mar
shall and the Ministry. The Minister O
Interior spoke of the town being SO full
OF rumors, that the heads of the leadin,
business houses were concerning VIVA
steps they should take to protect prop
erty. Mr.. President, was this befor'