St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1893-11-27


and found no changes had been made,
so concluded that it was all right.
A week before the closing of
THE LEGISLATURE
l asked Mr.. Peterson to make pre-
amble for my new constitution. but up
to the day of propagation he had not
made one.
Early in January mentioned to Capt.
Nowlein, of the household guards, and
Mr.. Wilson, the marshal, my intention
to prOmulgate a new constitution, and
to prepare themselves to quell any riot
or outbreak from the opposition. They
assured me they would be ready, and
showed Mr.. Wilson plan of the throne
room on the day of the signing.
Mr.. Parker and Mr.. Cornwell had
given me assurances of their support
before their appointment as ministers.
while MIR. Peterson understood that
such wa9my intention, and although L
had not mentioned it to MIR. Colburn, he
had heard of it already from Mr.. Peter
son.
1t appears that Immediately on their
learning of my intentions, Mr.. Colburn,
on the morning of the 14th of January,
Immediately acted the part of traitor
by going to Mr.. Hartwell, a lawyer, and
informed him of my intentions, and, of
course, received instruction from him
to strongly advise me TO abandon the
idea. This, then, was the cause of the
in hlnn
room. The members of the diplomatic
corps had been invited, also the men,
berS of
THE SUPREME BENCH
and members of the legislature, besides
committee of the HuikalaiaIna. The
latter was invited to be present because
1t was through 1t that many petitions
had been sent to me. When the minis
tiers arrived l told them everything in
the throne room was ready and the
guests were awaiting our presence;
that we must not keep them waiting. [
was surprised when the cabinet in
formed me that it did not think it ad-
visable for me to take such step; that
there was danger of an uprising, etc. /
told them that | would not have UNDER
taken such step If they had not en-
couraged me. They had led me out to
the edge of the precipice. and now were
leaving me to take the leap alone. 1t
was humiliating. l said: "Why not
give the people the constitution. and
will bear the brunt of all the blame aft
erwards."
Mr.. Peterson said: 1--WE have not
read the constitution" l told him he
had it in his possession whole month.
The three ministers left MIR. Parker to
try to disSuade me from my purpose,
and, in the meantime. they all peter
son, Cornwell and Colburn) went to the
government building to inform Thurs
ton and his party of the stand l took.
Of course, they were instructed not to
yield.
When they went over everything
was peaceful and quiet and the guest S
were waiting patiently in the throne
room.
The ministers returned. and 1 asked
them to read the constitution over. At
the end l asked them what they saw
Injurious in the document. Mr.. Peter
son said there were some points which
he thought were not exactly suited. l
told him the legislature could make the
amendments. He begged that should
wait for two weeks; in the meantime
they would be ready to present it to me.
With these assurances yielded, and
we adjourned to
THE THRONE ROOM.
stated to the guests present my rea-
sons for inviting their presence. l was
to promulgate new constitution at the
request of my people; that the constitu-
ton of 1887 was imperfect, and full of
defects. Turning to the chief justice, |
asked: SIS it not so, Mr.. Judd?" and
he answered In the affirmative in the
presence of all the members assembled.
then informed the people assembled
that under the advice of my ministers
had yielded. as they had promised that
on some future day L could giAe them a
new constitution. l then asked them to
return to their homes, and keep the
peace.
l heard a commotion below in the
yard. so hurried to the front veranda
and from there l addressed the people.
saying that their wishes for a new con-
stitutiOn could not be granted just then,
but would be at some future day. They
must go home and keep the peace and
to pray for me, which they have done
ever since.
There was dinner prepared. at which
forty persons sat down; everything was
orderly and without confusion in the
palace, and everything remained so all
night. At II a. m. Sunday, the 18th,
in IN hot how
was a meeting taking place in the GOV
eminent building by the reform party,
but he did not say OF what nature. All
Sunday everything seemed quiet, until
Monday morning.
at about 10 a. III. Monday, the 10th Of
January, notice was issued by my min
listers stating: "That the position l
took and the attempt made to promul-
gate new constitution was at the ear
nest solicitation of my people and of my
native subjects"
They gave assurances that any change
desired in the fundamental
LAW OF THE LAND
would be sought only by methods pro-
vided by the constitution itself, and
signed by myself and ministers. 1t was
intended to reaSSure the people, that
they might continue to maintain order
and peace.
At about p. m, however the troops
from the United States steamer Boston
were landed by the order of the United
States minister, j. L. Stevens. in secret
understanding with the revolutionary
party.
The statement of the circumstances
attending the yielding of authority to
the provisional government does not
differ from statements already made.
After detailing the subsequent appeals
to the government of the United States,
she says: President Harrison's term
expired and President Cleveland's inau-
guration took place, and l hailed it as a
good omen, having met him in 1887,
while he occupied the presidential chair
that year, and have not been disap.
pointed.
Your arrival in this country has
brought relief to our people and your
presence safety. There is no doubt but
that the provisional government would
have corried out extreme measures to
| ward myself and nv DeOple as Won have