The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-01-07
GROVER RES|STS IT..
Replies to an Insinuation in the
Senate.
He Says That He Has Nothing
to Conceal.
IN REGARD TO HAWAII.
He Did Not Even See Royalist
Commissioners.

WASHINGTON, Jan. THE atten-
ton of the president having been
called to hint thrown out in the
senate discussion on Friday that the
visit of a certain committee of Roy
Rlits from the Hawaiian islands" was
connected in some way with the de-
parture of American ships from that
locality, he said last night to a re-
porter: 'Of course such an insinua-
ton is very absurd. Its propriety
and motive behind it, 1 am sure, can
safely be left to the judgment of
right thinking Americans. am en-
tire1y willing all our people
should know verything concern
ing the visit of the so-called
committee of Royalists' Last year
in the latter part of July or early in
August three gentlemen from Hawaii
arrived here and asked through the
secre tary of state my designation of
a time when they could have an in
terview with me and present mes
sage from the deposed Hawaiia u
queen. Though 1 could not with
propriety recognize them officially,
was not disposed to refuse them per-
sona1ly the audience. The day and
hour were fixed for the interview. In
the meantime, at my request, trans
mitted through the secre tary of state,
these gentlemen made known the
precise purpose of their visit in the
following note:
" TO the Hon. W. Q. Gresham, Secre-
tary of State.
8 Sir: We, the undersigned COM
missioners sent by her majesty, Queen
T,ili lam Hiear Of
the president of the United States.
We desire to ask his excellency
whether there is any hope for his do
ing anything for the restoration of
the constitutional government of the
Hawaiian islands.
j. A. CUMMINGS,
I" H A. WIDEMAN,
g SAMUEL PARKER
''After this note had been submitted
to me I prepared IN writing with
some care a reply to the question it
contained, to be read by me to the
commissioners at our meeting. I in
tended to avoid all misunderstanding
and misconception bv absolutely con-
fning myself to such written reply,
of which the following is copy:
sGentlemen, you must permit me
to remind you that this interview is
not an official one and that instead of
receiving you in any represe ntative
capacity, / meet you as individuals
who have travelled a long distance for
the purpose of laying a certain mat
ter before me.
'''You ask me if there is any hope
of my doing anything for the restora-
ton of the constitutional govern
ment of the Hawaiian islands. I
suppose that this question is largely
prompted by the fact that soon after
the overturning of the late govern
ment of the queen l investigated that
transaction and was satisfied there
had been such an unjustifable inter
ference of aid of that movement on
the part of the representatives of the
government of the United States in
its diplomatic and naval service as to
call for correction, not only to rectify
what seemed to be a wrong done to
others, but also through that rectifca-
ton to ward off what appeared to be
danger to American honor and probitv
'''Fully approaching the constitu-
tional limitations of my executive
power and by no means unmindful of
the hindrances that might arise, 1 un-
dertook the task.
'' Having failed in my plans I COM
mitted the entire subject to the con-
gress of the United States, which had
abundant power and authorityVin the
premises. The executive branch of
the government was thereby dis
charged from further duty and re-
sponsibility in the matter unless
moved thereto by congressional COM
mand. The congress has, both
sion to act, signifed that nothing
need be done touching American in
reference with the overthrow of the
government of the queen.
" Quite lately a government has
been established in Hawaii which is
in full force and operation in all parts
of the islands. 1t is maintaining its
authority and discharging all ordin-
arv governmental functions upon
general principles and not losing
sight of the special circumstances
eminent is clearly entitled to our
recognition. without regard to any of
the incidents which accompanied or
preceded its inauguration.
- This recognition and the attitude
of the congress concerning Hawaiian
affairs, of course, led to an absolute
denial of the least present or future
aid or encouragement on my part OF
an effort to res ore any government
heretofore existing in the Hawaiian
islands. GROVER CLEVELAND
.sWhen the dav appointed for the
meeting arrived 1 was confined to my
bed by illness and unable to keep my
engagement. I, therefore, signed
the paper had expected TO read, and
it was d elivered to the commissioners,
who, I believe, returned at once tc
Hawaii. 1 never saw any member OF
this commission or committee and
have never had any communica tion
or transaction with anv of them
!, 81 ax
The Charges Ignored.
PBGNIx, Ariz., Jan. THE United
States grand jury has ignored the
charge against Governor Hughes Of
appropriating to himself the $500 sal