The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-01-21

tive royalty and native leadership practi-
cal absurdty. In 1887 King Kalakaua re-
Signed many of the prerogatives which
were relics of more barbarous times. since
that time attempted rebellions have turned
upon efforts to restore the old order or
things. Liliuokalani, In whose interest Will
cox made his last and most hopeless at
tempt to overturn the present government,
was sister to kalakaua, and came to the
throne when that king died in California.
She Is the wife of John o. Dorninis, an
American, and as Queen she received s20.0 600
year Her sympa thies always were Brit
ish. When she came to the throne she in
sisted on naming her own cabinet. Her
course throughout her two-year reign was
guided by the determination to strengthen
her prerogatiyes and make native influence
supreme. Things went from bad to worse
under her rule. Opium and lottery bills
which offended the moral sense of the en-
tire white community and the climax came
when the Queen attempted to annul the lib
eral constitution which had been wrested
by the progressive element from Kalakaua,
and undertook to set up a constitution of
her own. TIE result was disastrous to the
Jan. 16, 1885, issued manifesto reciting the
misrule on the Islands, declaring the mon
i archy abolished and Psoclaiming provis,
called for volunteers, who assembled to the
number of five hundred, and seized the gov
eminent buildings. The old government
surrendered without firing a shot, although
1T had four hundred men under arms and a
battery of Calling guns.
sent
annexation commissioners to Washington,
and they held their first conference with
Secretary Foster on Feb. 4, 1893 One of the
commissioners was Charles L. Carter,
whose death is reported The treaty, which
was sent to the Senate by President Harri-
son, providing for annexation. and its with
drawal by President Cleveland, followed.
The various steps taken by the present adj
minfstration, including the sending of
by mnster nHunt ar to s ss II e
minds of the people. The policy of Mr.
Cleveland and of Secretary Gresham in re-
lation to the islands is now before the Sem
In history of political agitations, upris-
ings and conspiracies in Hawaii compiled
by ex-Surveyor-general Alexander. of the
islands, great deal of the perniciously ac-
tive career of r. w. Wilcox is described
Wilcox, 1T seems, was the leader of two
that of 1889 Minister George W. Merrill,
writing to the State Department, thus re-
fers to that uprising:
About a. m. DULY 80, 1889 a message
from the King informed me that an armed
party led by Mr. Wilcox, was in possession
it was learned that the insurgents were in
charge of the building containing the gov
eminent offices. AS soon as possible I had
communication with Commander Wood
ward, of the Adams, and at once all nee
esSary preparations were made to land a
force, If found necessary. for the protection
OF the people and property Interested"
Professor Alexander says ut was after
ward known that ten thousand rounds OF
etiiiii unillon were loaned from the Adams
to the government forces. AT the request
of the United States Minister, Mr.. Merrill,
a body of marines was landed and marched
up to the legation. where they remained
during the day This revolution of 1889
was not a bloodless affair. as seven of WIZ
cox's followers were killed and about
dozen wounded.
Professor Alexander states that the last
three and half years of Kalakaua's reign
teened with intrigues and conspiracies to
restore autocratic rule. The first of these
in 1887, was headed by r. w. Wilcox c. b.
Wilson and Samuel Nowlein, who it is
favor of Iiluokalani. They were not prose-
cuted. but Wilcox left the islands and re-
NAMED year in California. Returning in
1889, he formed a rifle club and prepared for
league was held in a house belonging to
Liliuoka1ani. At the subsequent trial If
was proved by the defence that the King
mad come to an understanding with the con-
SDlraforS and wilcox successfully pleaded
this before the native jury, by whom he
was acquitted.
After the death of Kalakauasand the ac-
cession OF Liliuokslani. Wilcox, v. w. Ash
formed secret league. for the purpose as
they expressed it, "of promoting Justice
and equal rights in the political government
of Hawaii" Their objects included removal
of all property qualifications for voters. the
abolition of the monarchy and ultimate
union with the United States. These meas
nres We're advocated in newspaper pub
lished by Bush, who subsequently, became a
royalist. 1t is said the league numbered
over three hundred members mostly ma
tfves and half-whites. This revolution was
frustrated in embryo by Mr.. Thurston and
tire men who are now prominent supporters
or the republic. The principal members of
the league were arrested on charges Of
conspiracy. The result of the trials was
that that, al were finally discharged but the
weakness of the league was exposed. and
its leaders lost much of their prestige