The San Francisco call., 1898-01-26
RECOGNIZES
 RIGHTS OF
 HAWAIIANS MT. Damon Makes a Speech That Is
 Applauded. But It Is Not Reished by Other Members of
 DOle's Cabinet. Question of Voting Population Being in the Minority Can't
 Hold on Forever.
WOULD SOOTHE NATIVES.
Plea for the Pardon Of Political offenders, However, Is Opposed
 by AnnexatiOnists.
Correspondence of The Call.

HONOLULU, Jan. 17.-To-day Is the fifth anniversary of the deposition of the Hawaiian monarchy and the as sumption of power by the Provisional Government, the predecessor of the present republic. It is observed as Government holiday and recognized only by a small minority of the peo pie. Its only celebration is in the form of a military parade to especially re- mind the people that they are con trolled by an armed force which hay ing once conquered them is still com petent to hold them in subjection un- til brighter days dawn. Those days cannot be far distant, for the Minister of Finance has touched a chord that has been responded to almost unani- mously, and with enthusiasm, by the people of all parties, annexationists, in dependent. republican and royalists, except a very exclusive and very big oted minority whose influence is wan ing daily.
 MT. Damon has boldly uttered, in the presence of his colleagues and the solemn Council of State, the following memorable words: This question of the voting population being in the minority cannot hold on forever" His speech throughout is marked with force and liberality and is not pleasing to one of his colleagues-the Attorney General-and even the acting Presi- dent and Minister of Foreign Affairs is not especially charmed with it, for viewed from the standpoint of a poli- tician MT. Damon has scored a very strong point before the electorate of September, 1899, which, in the event of there heinz r0O Der from twelve to fifteen thousand: for 1t has been almost decided that the oath to the republic, the anti-restora- ton portion as well, shall be swallowed whole in order that the peoples voice shall be heard at the ballot box in no mistaken tones in the election of the Senate ar House of Representatives. ana cons. ntiy the President in Sep tembeT lyJU.' The Council of State will then also be renewed, for it is con- Stituted of five members elected by the Senate, five by the House of Represen- tatives and five appointed by the Pres ldent with the approval of the Cabi- net.
 The Council of State met on the l4th to consider the full pardon, restoration to civil rights, and the remission of mes pending over them, of the few re- naming unfortunate political prisoners who were entangled in the much-falsi- ned and exaggerated emeute of 1895. ana who for many months have been on parole and have conducted themselves III a most exemplary manner in spite or the treatment they received.
 It was generally anticipated that these concessions would have been al- most unanimously granted, but when the test came it was found that one or two narrow minded men, for the sake Of the influence they thought if nIlgnt .l nave In the Senatorial debates on the question of annexation, and to gratlfy personal spleen, discovered that there had been no formal petitions TOT pardon and no formal promises. al though they had been honest though informal ones, of taking the oath of allegiance to the republic After a uepate that at times approached to the limits Of temper and in which the ex- ecutive was soundly berated by it's nrmest friends the matter was deferred on technicalities
 The opposition was led by the Attor- ney-General, whc is deeply galled bv the personal and political antagonisms he has earned since he learned a little law in a ministerial capacity.
 The able leader of the House of Ren- resentatfVes, Hon. A. c. M. Robertson himself one of the most active lawyers In connection with the Military Com mission of 1885, spoke forcibIy. He de- slred the Ministry to learn the feelings
 
 decidedly in favor of pardoning all the political prisoners on parole and of re- nftting their fines Their offense had passed away, and these fines hangine over their heads embarrassed them ir social and business life.
 The Minister of Foreign Affairs availed himself of the technical points advanced by the Attorney-GeneraI that formal application and formal promises should humbly be made by the paroled prisoners. He claimed thai the executive-by which he really meant W. o. Smith and H. E. Cooper had so decided.
 The Councillors began to show synp- toms of annoyance and revolt, and were only half quieted when MT. Da- mon, the Minister of Finance, rose and with marked emphasis as he looked at the twin rulers of the homogeneous Cabinet said: 'I feel myself that the time has arrived when we ought tc hold out the right hand of fellowshir to any one who has been in opposition to us in the past, and who shows a de sire, even if, as it has been expressed at the very last moment, to recognize the republic. It seems to me wise thai