The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-06-12

In the reign of Kamehaneha III. a bill Of
rights was proclaimed which transformed The
feudal despotism into a constitutional monar-
chy. This step was followed by the orPaniza-
ton OF an executive ministry, the creation of a
Judiciary department, and the adjustment of
land tenure. Meanwhile the steady decrease of
the native race. the growth Of the agricultural
and sugar industries, and the Importation of
Oriental contract labor, together with the rapid
increase of the foreign population, developed a
new political condition of affairs. Throughout
the reigns Of the five members of the Kane
hameha dynasty American interests were In no
danger. On the death OF the last OF that dy-
nasty. In 1874, there followed u year Of political
confusion and agitation. and David Kalakaua,
after n stormy election, was chosen by the
Legislature to I'LL the throne, In opposition to
Queen Emma, the widow of Kamehameha ".
Kalakaua was a chief who, before his cleo
ton, had practiced as an obscure police court
attorney, and had also held subordinate Gov.
eminent positions, from which he had been dis
charged for corruption and incompetence. His
relationship to the extinct royal family was
doubtful, and, at the best. distant, and he was
believed by many residents in the islands to be
the illegitimate son Of q negro cobbler from
Boston. He was supcrstitious, sensual and
corrupt, and the history OF his reign is IA long
record of extravaganza and extortion. Even
the rapidly increasing revenues that we're the
result Of the reciprocity treaty with the United
States were insufficient to support his OK.
travAgances, and he raised money by various
unlawful means, such as abuse OF the frank.
ing privileges, embezzlement of public funds,
unauthorized rental OF Government lands, and
acceptance OF brides in connection with the
opium traffic. He was surrounded by n reti.
nue. of dissolute dependents. and gambling,
lewd practices. immoral exhibitions, and
drunken orgies combined to establish his popu.
larity with the hangers-On OF his comic opera
court. while by wholesale bribery, tho general
debasement OF the electorate and swindling at
the polls he was enabled to carry through per-
niciOns and extravagant legislation against the
will of the people. Finally. u more than usually
fragrant act Of corruption led to an emphatic
protest on the part Of the whites. In 1887 an
enthusiastic mass meeting passed resolutions
and appointed II committee, which waited upon
the King and cNActtd from him specific pledges
OF future good government on tho basis Of a
new Constitution. His most pro1igate and
pernicious counsellor was banished from the
country, a reform Ministry was appointed, and
the King WAS compelled to sign a new Consti-
tuition, which was subsequently ratified by a
vote of the people. BY this constitution the
King was deprived of the absolute right of veto,
and the governing power was placed in the
hands of a Cabinet subject to removal only by
q vote of the Legislature elected by the people.
Kalakaua died In 1891, and his sister, Mrs.
Dominis, NhO had boen appointed heiress APP
parent. was proclaimed Queen, under the title
Of Liliuokalani, and took the oath to support
the Constitution.
The main facts of her reign are well known.
While ostensIbly a believer In the Christian re,
ligion, she. like her brother, was in reality a
worshipper Of the old pagan superstitionS OF