The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1897-01-06
The Son.

The Son.
Albert, the only child of Minister |
Willis, was in ignorance of the serious
ness of his fathers condition until
week or so ago. He is very deeply af- |
fected over his loss, but during the
day has endeavored to comfort his
mother.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
Teacher and Lawyer.
Minister Albert S. Willis was born
in Shelby County, KY, January 22,
1S43, and was therefore, at the time
of his death in his saith year. He re-
ceived a common school education in
his country district, and then gradual
ed at the Louisville male High school.
This was in 1860.
During the first four years of the
war he taught school in Kentucky, be-
ginning when a youth of II. At the
same time he studied law and in 1866
graduated from the Louisville Law
school. From that time he was con-
tinuously engaged in the practice of
his profession.
In Politics.
In 1870 Mr. Willis was elected at
torney for jefferson county; was re-
elected in 1872 and served in that ca
pacity until he was elected to the 45th
Congress in the same year. He was
reelected to the 46th Congress almost
without opposition. In 1876 he N for
seat in the 47th and was elected by q
vote of II. 1874 against s,415 COR Burns
(Rep.) and 3,794 for Hayes (Dem.)
He was sent back to the As h and 10th,
defeating two Republican candidates
in the first and Republican and Dem
ocrat in the second.
In Congress Ten Years.
This gave the Minister ten years in
| Congress. For the 5Oth he declined
the nomination and retired from the
House. While in Congress Mr.. Willis
served on many important commit
tees, and was considered very strong
man. He was chairman of the For
eign Relations Committee on two occa.
sions.
At the Bar.
After his retirement from Congress
Mr.. Willis engaged in the practice oi
law in Louisville. AS a counsellor he
soon attained a reputation second to
none in that city. He took an active
interest in politics, both state and ma
tional, but never accepted official hon
ors. Mr.. Cleveland was his persona
friend for years. 1t was not then re
garded strange that the President
should i'm 1893. select him to repre-
sent the nited States Government il
Hawaii.
In Hawaii.
Mr.. Willis reached Honolulu by tn,
Australia on October 4, 1898, and cam,
to meet one of the sternest problems
ever referred to a foreign diplomat il
Hawaii His advent was amid excite
great anxiety in political circles. Rum
ors concerning the object of his yisi
had preceded him, and the tension il
the city during the first days after hi.
arrival became very great,
In Diplomacy.
Three days later the Minister pre-
sented his credentials to Tresideu
Dole. Then followed season of tht
most exciting rumors. The business ant
political community felt that an un
precedented crisis was at hand. Wha
afterward came like dreaded thund
erbolt leaked out by piecemeal anC
flew from house to house and island 4
island. So great did the tension be
come that the Government addressed
letter to the Minister requesting al
explanation of his attitude" In re
sponse to his reply came the famou
document.
Historic Demand.
80 On December 10, after receiving in
structions from President Cleveland
Minister Willis made his historic de
mand upon the government to vacat
in favor of the Monarchy and the Gov
ernment of the eX-Queen, which hat
been overthrown on the nth of Jan
uary preceding. Next day, Decembc
goth, the councils of the Governmen
were hastily summoned, which, afte
reviewing the case and reading dis
patch from Minister Thurston, then a
Washington, instructed the Presiden
to decline to step down and out. Thi
was done. The Government prepare
for defense and waited. All eyes wer
, on the L. S. S. Philadelphia n port.
1 Mr.. Willis Work.
+ Just what passed between Nj
; / Cleveland and the Minister at Homo