The San Francisco call., 1896-03-05
Native Members Ousted From
All Of the Important
Committees.
OPIUM SALES TO BE LICENSED
Law.Abiding Citizens Oppose the Bill
in Vain-Happenings at
Honolulu.

British Commissioner Halves, the dipIo-
matte agents of France, Portugal and
Japan and the entire consular corps were
present. The ceremony took place in the
throneroom of the former Iolani Palace,
now used as the executive building. Of
ficers of the United States cruiser Benning-
ton were absent, as the vessel sailed for
Lahaina. ostensibly for target-practice, two
hours before. The large room was filed
with prominent personages and the affair
was very successful. Rev. D. P. Birnie of
the Central Union Church offered an APP
propriate prayer, and then President Dole
read his message to the Legislature, briefly
treating of the events Of Importance since
the creation of the republic.
After the reading of the message both
houses met separately and organized. In
the Senate, Archie Smithles was elected
sergeant-at-arms, and all the other officers
and standing committees held over from
the special session.
In the House J. S. Tucker was elected
sergeant-at-arms on the second ballot.
Speaker Naone announced an entirely new
set Of standing committees. which action
is significant. ri
In the late special session the eight
native mem bers in the House numbered
one more than half the entire membership.
They had little combination, among
themselves which caused the Government
more or less annoyance. The appointme Mt
of new com mittees, in which all the I'M
portant chairmships are given to white
men, shows that the combination has
been broken during the recess, and that
the Government now has full control OF
both branches.
This is the sixth day OF the session, but
so far only the opium and appropriation
bills are of any Importance. Senator Cecil
Browns opium bill provides for the sale
at auction of one license in each island at
the following upset prices: Oahu $4,000,
Hawaii and Maui $4,000 each and Kauai
$4,000 and an import duty of 81 per
pound. 1t is being bitterly fought by the
churches and, temperance societies. An
effort was made to squeich it at the outset
by refusing to pass the bill to print. but it
was defeated by vote of II to 2.
This does not represent the strength of
the bill by any means. Its author says he
has seven Senators pledged to support it,
which is majority now, as there is one
contested seat from Hawaii now before
the Supreme Court. Both Senate and
House should contain fifteen members.
The bill will probably pass the House
without difficulty, but its chances in the
Senate are doubtful until some of the
silent members express themselves in its
favor.
The Senate has confirmed the following
nominations: Henry E. Cooper as Minis
| kor oe o.r q
Associate Justice, w. Austin Whiting as
Second Associate Justice, A. w. Carter as
First Judge of the Circuit Court, Antonio
Perry as Second Judge of the Circuit Court,
Francis NJ. Hatch as Minister to Washing
ton, R. P. Rithet as Consul General for
British Columbia, F. P. Hastings as Charge
'Affaires at Washington, D. c., James
Macfarlane as Consul at Auckland, W. G.
Neill as Consul at Dunedin, Cyril Hop
kins as Vice-Consul at London, England,
]. w. Mcfarland as Vice. Consul at Van
couver and Hale p. Benton as Vice and
Deputy Consul General at Rome, Italy.
In the Senate yesterday, while the
items of the appropriation bill were being
discussed, Minister Damon moved an ap-
preparation of $1,000 per annum for the ex-
Princess Kaiulani, the heiress to the
throne Of the ex-Queen. The matter was
referred to special committee Of three,
but is not likely to pass, as the young
lady has never signifed her loyalty to the
republic in any manner, and her father is
still pronounced and nnreconcilable
| royalist.
The trial of the alleged conspirators
or flibustering agents from California,
Frank Underwood and j. K. Sheridan,
alias w. J.. Sheridan, took place before
Judge Perry and q jury in the Circuit
Court yesterday, and ended in verdict Of
acquittal. the jury being ont but ten min
utes. Deputy Attorney General E. P.
Dole prosecuted and s. M. Ballou was as
signed to the defense by the court, the
defendants being without means.
| There is much talk over the action Of
Captain Pigman of the United States
steamer Bennington, who is accused of de-
liberately insulting President Dole's Gov
ernment by taxing his ship away two
hours before the time set for the opening
ceremonies of the Legislature. Some OF
the newspapers are trying to make uoliti-
cal capital out OF the affair, but Captain
Pigman keeps mum over it. The vessel
returned after an absence of two DAYS. and
one Of the officers gives the following ex.
PLANTATION Of the affair:
The invitations from tho Minister al
Foreign Affairs were not received on board
the Bennington until the morning of the
day set for the opening OF the Legislature.
As the fact Of the Bennington's departure
had been known all over Honolulu and
noticed in the daily papers, the Hawaiian
| Government must have been fully aware
of it.
| When the invitations came on board the
Bennington had already been brought ut
close to her anchors and steam was up in
readiness for leaving. Under the circum.
stances Captain Pigman would not delay
the cruise as to do 30 would have forced
him to postpone his trip until after thu
arrival of the Australia. Itswas necessary
the Bennington should be in port when
the Australia arrived in case fresh orde ,,