The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1893-11-22

portunity for whites, Americans, En-
glish and Germans, to vote without be-
coming naturalized. Upon this Mr..
BlOunt says:
For the first time in the history of
the country the number of mobiles is
made equal to the number of repre-
sentatives. This furnished a veto power
over the representatives of the populace
10 the mobiles, who were selected by per-
sons mostly holding foreign allegiance
and not subjects Of the kingdom The
election of single representative by the
foreign element gave to it the legisla-
ture The king could appoint but not
remove his cabinet"
Mr. Blount describes at some length
the restrictions placed upon the king by
TINS constitution. He also speaks of the
secret league which prior to the revolu-
ton, established foreign armed troops
hostile TO the king, and speaks of the
control of the islands by persons of
foreign parentage and allegiance. For
eign ships were in the harbor and the
elections and action of the people were
under these Influences
After the revolution had been accom-
pllshed the history of Hawaiian politics
is followed by he commissioner. The
reform party was not always success
Iul and could 1Ot control matters to
SUIT itself, but in the legislature Of 1892
there were a number of members of
each faction aspiring to cabinet places,
and while the reform party under these
conditions was enabled TO vote out cabi-
net after cabinet, II never had a ma
Jorlty of members of the legislature.
The Queens Acts.
OF the queens acts just previous to
the legislature Mr. Blount says:
Let it be borne in mind that the
time now was near at hand when the
legislature would probably be prorogued.
Whatever cabinet was in power at the
time Of the prorogation had control of
public affairs until a new Legislature
should assemble two years afterward
and longer. unless expelled by a vote
Of want Of confidence. An anti-reform
cabinet was appointed by the
queen. Some faint struggle was
made toward organizing 10 vote
out this cabinet, but il was pro-
rogued. The reform members absented
themselves from the session Of that day
IN manifestation Of their disappointment
in the loss of power through the cabinet
OF the ensuing two years.
The letters Of the American min
lister and naval offer stationed at Homo
lulu in 1892 Indicate that any failure to
appoint ministry of the reform party
would produce a political crisis. The
voting out Of the Wilcox cabinet pro-
duced discomfort amongst the reform
ers Verging very closely toward one, and
had more TO do with the revolution than
the queens proclamation. The first was
the foundation, the latter the opportu-
nifty.
I'm the legislatures Of 1890 and 1892
many petitions were filed asking for
new constitution. Many were pre-
sented 10 the king and queen. The dis
content with the constitution of 1857
and eagerness to escape from il con-
trollcd the elections against the party
which had established it, Divisions on
the mode Of changing the constitution
whether by legislative action or by CON
stitutional convention and the necessity
of a two-thirCs vote Of the legislature
to affect anne udments prevented relief
by either method. Such was the situ-
alton at the propagation of the legls-
lature of 1892.
This was followed by the usual cere-
monies at the palace on the day of pro-
rogation-the presence of cabinet. su-
preme court judges, diplomatic corps
and troops. The queen informed her
cabinet OF her purpose 20 proclaim a
new constitution and requested them 10
sign it,"
The Cabinets Refusal.
He then tells how the cabinet refused
10 sign the constitution and the dis
pleasure Of the queen. On Jan. IS a
proclamation was issued by the queen
and her members saying that what she
proposed TO do on the Saturday prev
ious was compelled by stress OF her
native subjects. This was sent TO Min
lister Stevens 10 which there was no re-
sponse. on the 18th she sent another
letter telling him that the present con-
stitution would be maintained. on the
back Of this was written the word ''de-
clined," also the time received noted.
Mr. Blount says the cabinet could not
be removed for two years and Il being
against a new constitution there was no
possibility OF Il being proclaimed. His
description Of the revolution IS as fol-
los:
Nearly all Of the arms on the island
Of Oahua. in which Honolulu Is situated,
were in the possession of the queens
government. a military force. organized
and drilled, occupied the station house.
the barracks and the palace-the only
points Of strategic significance in the
event OF conflict. The great body of
the people moved I'm their usual course.
Women and children passed to and fro
through the streets seeming uncon-
cerned Of any impending danger, and
yet there was secret conferences held
by small body of men. some Of whom
were Germans, some Americans and
some native born subjects of foreign
origin. On Saturday evening, the 14th
of January, they took up the subject of
dethroning the queen and prCclaiming
a new government with a view Of an
nexation to the United States.
Scheming 90 Land Troops.
"The first and momentous question
with them was to devise some plan to
have the United States troops landed.
Mr.. Thurston. who appears to have been
the leading spirit, on Sunday sought two
members Of the queens cabinet and
urged them to head a movement against
the queen and TO ask Mr. Stevens TO
land the troops, assuring them that In
such an event Mr.. Stevens would do so.
Failing TO enlist any Of the queens cab
met in the cause, il was necessary TO
devise some other mode TO accomplish
this purpose. 4 committee of safety.
consisting Of thirteen members, had been
formed from a little body Of men i'm
w. o. Smiths office, a deDutation OF
these informing Mr.. Stevens OF their.
plans, arranged with him 10 land the
troops If they would ask IT, for the
purpose of protecting life and property'
IL was agreed between him and them
that I'm the event they should occupy the
government building and proclaim a new
government he would recognize it. The
two leading members Of the commit
tee, Messrs. Thurston and Smith grow
ing uneasy as to the safety OF their per
sons went TO him TO know IL he would
protect them I'm the event of their ar
rest by the authorities, 10 which he gave
his assent. At the mass-meeting called
by the committee OF safety on the 18th