The Independent. [volume] (Honolulu, H.I.) 1895-1905, 1897-05-07


whero she was made the guest of
honor, conducted by the lady presi-
dent Of the missionary society to
sofa especially reserved for her, and
when the entertainment was finished
the company were one by one pre-
sented in due form, Her Majesty re-
naming seated, but saying a few
kind words to each. Carriages were
sent by the church to conduct her
there and return. The attention
was absolutely spontaneous, the
church was OF the Methodist de.
nomination, one OF the two which
conteuded for the honor of Presi-
dent McKinley's attendance. She
has never sought the society of any
people in the city, but hers is daily
courted by others. The president
of the society told me last evening
as we left that she dared not repeat
the many fattering remarks which
had reached her ears during the
time we had had been in her parlors
40 charmed were the whola oon,n anv
with the presence OF the Hawaiian
Queen.
On Monday, the Goth, Her Majesty
goes to New York for a few days,
not only to witness the ceremonies
at the tomb of General Grant, but
also to get glimpse Of her Boston
friends, who will doubtless meet
her there. No sooner was this known
that | had to assure the represent
atives OF the press that there was
not the slightest official significance
in her visit, but even now, there is
suspicion abroad that Her Majesty
will be given some rank aud place
in the celebration. No sooner was
the appointment Of Mr.. Harold
Sswall as Hawaiian Minister report
ed than a representative OF the press
arrived with commission to get
the Queens opinion Of the selection.
In this, he was disappointed, and
did not even see Her Majesty, as
she has invariably declined to ex-
press any political opinions. The
reporter was obliged to be content
with my own remark that, so far as
l could see, it was good appoint
ment, Mr.. Sewall having an excel
lent knowledge OF affairs in the
Pacific, and further, having met Her
Majesty in social way on his visit
to Honolulu. Office is too often
mere political reward, in this case it
would appear that fitness has been
considered. AS TO annexation, the
Reciprocity treaty, and other mat
ters, Her Majesty maintains the
same digni6ed silence, but the fact
that an expression of her views il
constantly sought shows that to the
public she is the representative oil
Hawaii, however, much that title
may be coveted by the numerou;
commissioners arriving here, every one
of 4Ohom has left Washington vithOu
the least official recognition.
1t may be pleasant for the present
government to reward its servant,
by giving them a vacation at the
public expense, but with the singl,
exception that Mr.. w. O. Smith hat
a stand up presentation to Presiden
/ Mckinley from Mr.. Hatch, the,
might just as we'll have been sun
, ming themselves in the Nuuanl
valley as lounging about Washing
ton hotels. Nothing whatever ha
> been done in regard to reviving thu
dead issue of annexation, but tn,
tariff complications are responsible
for an early ahrogation of tn
;, Reciprocity Treaty, with none s,
5 poor as to do it reverence, Promi
+, nent men tell me that without al
r argument, seven tenths Of Congress
Q are in favor Of no more enrichmen
Q Of alien sugar planters at American
a expense.
o There is an evident feeling tina
o the question OF right and wronI