Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1901-02-22


Mr.. Gear-"Yes sir. That has been
my contention right along"
Mr.. Gear testified as to the purport
Of speeches made by Wilcox during
the campaign. At one point in his
testimony a sensation was created
when Wilcox, who was sitting by his
counsel, muttered. lie"
Mr.. Gear had stated that in one OF
Wilcox's campaign speeches he said
that he would restore Queen Liliuoka-
lani. AS he said this Wilcox seemed
to become livid with rage and Kissed
the word lie" between his teeth. lie
was restrained from any further DEM
onstration by his counsel.
During the hearing Attorney Gear
was asked to produce the originals Of
the letters written by Wilcox to Cae-
sar Celso Moreno. and after brief re-
cess the original letters we're produced
and placed in evidence.
Chairman Taylor OF the comrittee
said that in his opinion what was done
or written by Wilcox when he was a
citizen Of the Republic OF Hawaii
should not affect the committee in its
discussions. unless there might he an
inclination to show that he was in the
habit of rebellion. and even that should
not have any effect.
Mr.. Gear cited the fact that on March
"a, 1898, Wilcox sent a letter to Mo-
reno asking him to see the Secretary Of
War to secure for him command IN
the army OF the United States so that
he might take part In the struggle
against the power Of Spain in Cuba,
and yet six months later he was send
ing letters which offered his services u
the Filipinos. These facts taken into
consideration with the fact that twice
he was convicted Of treason in his own
country. once against the monarchy
and once against the Republic OF Ha-
wall are enough to show that his pro-
testations Of fealty should go for
naught.
Chairman Taylor interrupted to ASK
II 1t could be denied that when Will
cox was elected the men who voted fgr
him knew that he had been convicted
OF treason. and that, notwithstanding
this fact. he received nearly two
flfths Of all the votes that were cast
Mr. Gear admitted this. but said the
voters did not know OF these letters.
He read from one Of Wilcox's letters.
which had not been secured In time to
be included in the complaint. as fol-
lows: 81 have made up my mind to
Join with you against America In case
they insist to ignore the right and JUS
tice OF your cause. know well my |
profession OF artillery officer, and have |
no fear OF the whole world when |
fight for legitimate cause like yours.
Between Aguinaldo and myself It will
be little chance left for the invading |
army Of the United States to invade
your country. Tell Aguinaldo I havs
already given my services for your
country and can fight for the indepen-
dence OF your country and people at
any moment"
Speaking Of this and the other will
cox letters, Mr.. Gear said: They were
all written after the American flag was
raised In the Islands. There might be
a question as to the citizenship OF the |
people when the Islands were annexed, |
but there can be no question as to their
to the United States at the |
time these letters were written"
Mr. Mann OF the committee read a
clause Of the Constitution OF the Unit
ed States defining treason and said that
Congress could. without doubt. expel q
member for any cause whatever, It
could not expel a member for treason,
unless he had been so convicted cr
could be so convicted. This could no,
no done in this case.
In response to this, Mr.. Gear said:
81 come here to show this committee
that the man who holds the seat for the
Hawaiian Islands is not a proper per-
son to sit in the Congress OF the Unit
ed States. | come to plead with you
on behalf OF the decent people OF Ha-
wall to not allow to sit in the Congress
a man who has shown that he does not
deserve that right. He says he Is an
artillery officer. Send him back to his
profession, but do not allow him to |
sit as the Representative OF the Hawa.
liam Territory. While our people are
learning to love America and American |
do not put before them the |
example OF the elevation OF man who |
writes such letters as these. submit |
TO you that this man is not fit in edu,
cation and does not hold the sentiments
that enttle him to represent the Ter
ritory which was granted the great
privilege Of coming into this Union"
Mr.. Gear then made legal argument
to show that there was no election OF
delegate.
This brought forth considerable dis
cussion by the committee and there was
a general examination OF precedents |
1t developed that there Is no general |
Hawaiian election law and that the