West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1896-03-26

I
the minds of the people, but they
| did not prove sufficient TO check
their headstreng ruler. The legis
lature, like the Long PARLIAMENT in
Crom Wells time. was i'm session
unlil the more respectable mem bers
were compelled to leave for their
homes TO attend to their business.
They had scarcely left before the
opium and lottery men, taking adt
vantage CT their absence, hurriedly
passed the bills known rs the
Opium" and Lottery" bills.
The decent and respectable peo-
pie Of Hawaii saw the danger that
menaced them. The miss onaries
realized that the race just rescued
from heathondom was about to be
exposed to all the vices of civlza-
ton, and land to day filled with
churches and school houses, about
to become the Monte Carlo of the
Western Hemisphere. Another
class Of Americans looked on with
alarm at the condition of affairs
those who had business interests at
stake which were in jeopardy. A
party of Christian ladies waited on
the queen ard petitioned her not TO
sign the odious bills. IL is said
she wept with them; they prayed
with her and left, assured she would
veto the bills, but she signed them
almost as soon as they were gone.
The alarm spread and increased.
Meetings were held, and some dis.
cussed taking measures to aver:
moral and financial ruin. The
queen prorogued the legislature.
dismissed her cabinet, and appoint.
ed In its place a set of ministers
obnoxious to most Of the respect
I able people Of the islands. rhe
excitement was now ut its height.
This high handed tramplng OH The
Liberties of people, many of whom
were born on the islands, was re-
scented. A Committee Of Safety
was formed, and citizens began to
arm themselves.
| The queen announced that she
was give her people new constitu.
ton. The new constitution was
written and signed, but she failed
to get the signatures of all her cab
met. The docu ment never came to
light, but it is known that it pro-
vidsd for the Acknowledgement of
all white men not married to native
women, and that only the property
of the whites should be liable for
taxes.
The Committee of Safety organ
lied and formed in companies.
Arms were concealed in hardware
store, and, on the morning of Jna.
IL, 1898, Mr.. John Good, now
Captain Good, Mr.. Benner, and
two others, started with them to
the armory Of the Committee of
Safety. On Fort Street they we're
attacked by the police. Captain
Good fired and wounded one man,
and MIR. Benner Knocked another
down with the butt of his whip,
and thus they escaped.
In the meanwhile Mr.. John L..
Stevens, United States minister to
Hawaii. who was away up to this
time. returned to Honolulu after
the Committee of Safety had been
formed. he issued the following
request to Captain c. G. Wil;se, OF
the United States Cruiser Boston
SHIN view of the existing criti-
/ col nff g. =.
eating an inadequate force, / request
you to land marines and sailors from
the ship under your command for the
protection Of the United states Lepa-
ton and United States Consulate and
to secure American life and property.
'JoHN L. STEVENS
Envoy Extraordinary and Minister
/ Pleupotentiary Of the United states
Captain Wiltse had already an
ticipated the request Of the miHis.
! ter and issued the following order
"aoNoLuLU, Jan IS. 1895.
"LTEUrENAET CoHBtANDEH w. r. SWIM.
BURN. UNITED STATES NAVY. ExEcu-
TIVE OFFICER or UNtrEp STATES CRUZ
SER BosrOx.
'SrE:-You will take command ofthe
battallion.and land iu Honolulu for Che
purpose OF protecting our legation.
consulato,aud the lives and property Oh
American citizess, and TO assist in pre-
serving order.
Great prudence must be exercised
by both officers and men, and no action
taken that is not fully warranted b,
1 the condition. of affairs and by the con
I duct of those who may be- inmica1 {,
the treaty rights Of American citizena
you will inform nc ne the earliest
/ possible moment Of any change ina On,
situation.
Very respectfully.
GO G.. WursE
"Captain. United states Navy. Com
handing unitcd states Cruiser Boston.
The troops we're landed, and dur
ing The day divided into small.
squads. A part we're placed ia
guard the United States Legation.
O email squad sent TO the Consu.
late, and eight 10 The home Of an
. American resident named Homer
+ As tbe frOODg had M foufg tho $50.