The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1901-02-09
WILCOX MAKES
HIS DEFENSE
Admits Writing Letters to
FilipinOs.
SAYS HE WAS UNDER
MISAPPREHENSI0N
Declares He is Now a Loyal
American.

/ Delegate Wilcox Of Hawaii has re-
piled to the charges against him. He
asserts his loyalty 20 the United States
CCmmends the organic law passed for
Hawaii; acknowledges writing letters
to the Philippines, but says they were
written under a miscOnceptiOn; de-
cIares that he was elected under a fair
and free election and is entitled to
hold his seat.
The charges were taken up today by
house committee on elections. No ].
Mr.. Wilcox was present, accompanied
by Representative Robinson Of Indiana,
who appeared as his friend and cOun-
sci. Mr.. Robinson stated at the out
set that as Mr.. Wilcox was unfamiliar
with the procedure in election contests,
he had consented to appear in behalf
of the delegate.
The written answer of MI. Wilcox
was submitted. He claims that many
of the charges preferred against him
are without merit. In regard TO the
letters he is accused Of having written.
dated respectively Jan. 81, 1899 and
March s, 1893. he suggests that the con-
ditiOns prevailing at that time, and
the legal status Of the Hawaiian is
lands with respect to the United States
were entirely different from those eX-
listing later and at the time of his cleo
ton. He claims to be now sincerely and
thoroughly an American, believing in
and heartily supporting the cOnstitu-
ton.
Mr.. Robinson added that the delegate
had received no notice of contest, as
provided by the rules He asked under
the circumstances that ten days be al
lowed for preparation on the merits if
the committee proposed to conduct
formal contest.
George d. Gear. who makes the
charge was asked to produce the
originals of the letters and until these
could be secured the committee went
into executive session To determine its
course Of action
Text Of Wilcox's Reply.
At the afternoon session Representa-
tive Robinson presented the following
specific answer Of Mr.. Wilcox to the
charges contained in the letters sub
mitted.
That he CVVilcox) is a native HaWa-
iian. that he shared with the native
people in their loyalty TO the former
Queen LiliouOkalani during her reign
and was not in sympathy with the
reigning power Immediately succeeding
her reign
That after the annexation of Hawaii
ne did not understand the Instructions
or the feelings of the United States. but
All uoGDLS were ulSpelled Wnen the con-
greSs gave to the people of Hawaii a
splendid system of organic laws.
Ihat in common with the people. he
al all times, with genuine patriotism,
supported the United States and its in
sutuuons and Is now and has been a
loyal supporter Of the constitution, laws
and government Of the United States.
Admits Writing Letters.
'Ie admits that on Jan. 81 1899, and
on March s. 1889, he wrote letters ap-
pearing in the petition; that said let
ters were OF a personal and confidential
nature and sent 10 one whom he sup
posed was a friend and who he thought
would not betray his confidence He
further says that said letters were writ
ten by him under an entire miscOn-
ceptiOu of the real attitude of the gov
eminent Of the United states toward
the people OF Hawaii
THAT under the laws of the United
States and a fair and free election. he
was elected as a delegate from Hawaii
and no reason exists or has existed dis
qualifying him.
The additional letters written by Mr..
Wilcox were submitted and he made
the same answer to them These let
tiers were written in 1893 and criticise
the American course in the Philippines.
AIR Gear, the prosecutor, then con-
tended that the election OF Wilcox was