Evening star., 1897-01-15

immense crops and high price of sugar
have made money abundant.
Il, as the representative of my country
have received nothing but the warniest hos
pftality. They are cordial, hospitable peo-
pie. They do not harbor resentments. the
delightful climate and the disposition of the
people seem to make them speedily forget
wha atever has irritated them. Their amiabil.
ity dominates"
The PERSISTENT Deeply Affected.
The news of the death of Minister Willis
was received with deep regret in Washing
ton, where he was 50 well known in official
and social circles. At the time of his last
visit to Washington it was apparent tha.
his health was in, an extremely precarious
condition, and this fact he fully realized
himself. Still he felt that II he could sue
ceed in returning to the Hawaiian Islands
without suffering a relapse he would ulti-
mately regain his health in the mild and
equable island climate.
President Cleveland Was deeply affected
at the news Of the minister's DEATH He
said that he had known Mr.. Willis for
many years, and in official life had been
honest and thoroughly capable man,
whom the President held In the highest
esteem. and of whose death he learned
with the deepest regret.
Minister WilIis' Career.
Albert Sydney Willis was born near Shell
byville. KY. about 1fty-five years ago. He
was the son Of a well-known physician.
When Albert was twelve years of age his
father died. After short widowhood Mrs.
Willis married j. L. Clemmons, a Louis
vile attorney, and went to Louisville to
live. Albert was sent to the public schools.
Later he entered the High School, and took
the full five years course, graduating with
Distinction.
eAfter graduation he taught little school
out on the Bardstown road. While lilling
this post he studied law, and later matric-
ulated at the Louisville Law School. In
1865 he graduated from the law school AMI
began practice.
In the early seventies he was elected to
the office of county attorney, which posi-
ton he held until his election to Congress
in 1876 when he succeeded Mr. Henry Wat
terson, who had been selected to fill the
unexpired term of E. Y. Parsons He be-
came favorite lieutenant of Mr.. Carlisle.
and maneuvered his forces for the speaker
ship, to which office Mr.. Carlisle was elect
ed for the first time in the Forty-eishth
Congress. Mr.. Carlisle then made Mr.. VIII
lis chairman of the rivers and harbors
committee, which responsible post he ably
filled. Mr.. Willis served five terms in Con-
gress. In 1886 he was succeeded by Asher
G Caruth. He returned TO Louisville and
resumed the practice Of his profession.
In September, 1888. Mr.. Willis received
the appointment as minister to Hawaii He
ss.-f1 ~ 90 uiiSo 'iie poSt. MI Wills
arrived at the island during the most crit
1cal moment in its history Queen Liliuo-
kaiani had been deposed, and another gov
eminent had taken the place of the mon
archy.
Ihe most intense interest existed as to
what course the President would adopt.
Mr Cleveland intrusted his secret orders 10
Mr.. Willis. and they were to the effect
that Queen Lii. should be reinstated In
the event of her granting immunity to all
political offenders. This she declined to do
The recent state of affairs is well known.
In 1876 Mr.. Willis married Miss Florence
Buianey They have one son, Albert 8.
Willis, Jr., who Is at Honolulu