The Hawaiian gazette., 1890-06-10


themselves in very decided language TO
the contrary. Then Mr.. Wilcox told
some of his friends that he was begin
ming to suspect the good faith OF his
haole associates, and that they would
not help him to become Minister and
that he must look out for himself. He
accordingly consulted with some OF those
who had been associated with him in
July last, and asked them if they would
be willing to help him again if neces-
sary. Some of them said yes, some were
kanalua and some said that they had
had enough. Feelers were sent out and
various persons were asked if they
would assist in turning the Government
out if matters came to head. l have
information from gentleman in whom
every member of this House has conf
dence, who was asked in front of the
Post Office by one of Wilcox's intimate
friends if he would help take the Stat
ton House; that they were going to
have meeting that night to discuss it.
Several of my informants were then
and still are, members OF the Opposition
party. One actively expressed himself
during the election for the express pur-
pose of getting the Cabinet out OF office
This brings the matter to the 18th OF
April which the Attorney General con-
siders the eliminating iniquity OF the
Cabinet
The second question which / shall con-
slider is why the Cabinet distrusted Wv.
Ashford and believed that he was favor
able to creating a disturbance. l will
not go back to the Both of July last, al
| though there are number OF earlier in
stances which might mention. Shortly
after July 30th, rumors and statements
began to be circulated that Y. V. Ash
ford, although he commanded the forces
against Wilcox, yet knew more than he
ought to about that movement, and that
his heart was not entirely in the action
which he took that day. At first | did
not take much stock in these rumors, for
people talk as much here as they do any
where; but as time passed on received
limitations that there were facts at the
bottom of these reports, and thought
that | ought to investigate. | did not
consult G. w. Ashford. Blood is thicker
than water Although l will state that
/ had at that time implicit confidence in
the Attorney-General. AS result of my
! investigations have statements in writ
|
from enemies and from neutrals, and l
state unhesitatingly that V. V. Ashford
knew of and counselled and advised the
disturbance OF last July; that he. sent
messengers to Wilcox saying that the
King and the Cabinet were at logger
! heads and that now was the time to act.
Matters were quiet after the 30th of
July, so far as his action was concerned,
except that his conduct was character
lied by the most violent denunciations
of the Cabinet, publicly and without
stint, to such an extent that member
of the diplomatic corps came to MEM
Der of the Cabinet and although as he
said he was acting beyond the scope of
his official duty, warned them not to
have confidence in a man talking as
Wv. Ashford was.
Wv. Ashford became a frequent con-
tributor to Opposition newspapers, de-
claiming against the Government in the
bitterest terms, giving out false state
ments with regard to the Cabinet, and
stating that he got them from his brother,
although did not believe anything of
the sort. AS an illustration, one of the
members of this House lately told me
| that at about that time Mr.. Ashford told
| him that he was so anxious to have this
Ministry turned out that he would rather
have the country 60 back to the old
regime than see it go on with them in
Office, and would rather see the country
reduced to ashes than have them remain.
So matters continued, MIR. President,
until two or three weeks before the cleo
| ton. That was time of good deal of
uncertainty. Both parties were conf.
| dent and neither was sure. At that time
V. V. Ashford had a quarrel with his
political friends. Although in position
| as commander of the volunteer forces, of
high responsibility and trust under the
Government, lie had been an active poll
teal worker against the Government.
Then he sent word to me and asked for
truce between himself and the Govern
ment, and asked that make an appoint
ment with him (Which for reasons was
not kept, second which also was not
kept and finally third was made which
was kept in my office. In the presence
of mutual friend the interview was
held, and he made this statement. He
said that he wished to be perfectly frank
He said that he had worked against the
Government, admitted that he had been
MTltluR IOT Uno Elel6 u d large extent,
but was sick OF his associates, they were
mean lot generally and he wanted to
be done with them. He offered either
to retain his position as Colonel and work
secretly for us or to resign altogether and
take the stump openly. He made, how
ever, one condition. He said, my rea-
son for opposition to you has been my
belief that you and the other members of
the Cabinet were engaged in a conspir-
acy against my brother But if you and
the others will promise to stand by him
in the next Legislature, will do all that
can for you.
heard all that he had to say, and
then replied, what we wanted is votes.
Votes are what count, and that we
should be glad of your assistance and
vote and the votes that you control. As
for promises, have stood by you straight
through and have done everything for you
that ever agreed to do, and the only
result has been that you have con-
stantly villified me. l consider myself
discharged of any obligations to you and