The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1901-02-08
MR. Wilcox MAKES REPLY
He Asks the Procedure in the
Charges Against Him.
Representative Robinson Appears
before the House Committee on
Elections In His Behalf

Representative Robinson Of Indiana, rep
/ resenting Delegate Wilcox, was before the
House Elections Committee No. /. this
morning TO reply TO the charge and pro-
test fled against him by Attorney Gear, OF
Honolulu.
Mr. Robinson stated that he appeared as
a friend Mr. Wilcox, he said. wanted to
be informed as to the method of pro-
cedure, whether this was to be considered
q contested election case and he be al
lowed expenses for counsel fees. He want
ed to know If a demurrer could be hled to
the charges. He read statement from
M Wilcox making a general answer. The
letter is as follows:
House Of Representatives.
Washington, D. C, Feb. S.
Hon. Robert ". Tayler, Chairman Elec-
lions Committee No I, House Of Rep
resentatives, Washington. D. c.:
Sir l am IN receipt OF yesterdays
memorial. OF petition. of George o. Gear,
with respect to the seat that I occupy IN
the United States Congress. as Delegate
from the Territory OF Hawaii.
u understand that many OF the charges
preferred are. on their face. without ner-
1t. 1 desire respectfully to submit my
answer 70 such portion Of the charges as
the committee may indicate their desire
10 have answered, all of which are in
consistent with the facts, where mater
rial. as [ am unfamiliar with the pro-
ceedings in such cases, I desire reason
able time IN which TO prepare such ans
wer.
IF the two letters. attached as Exhibits
B and c 70 the petition. dated respective
y, January 81 1899. and March s. 1889,
are 10 be considered and answered, I res
+Fr-TT-
vailing at that time. and the legal status
OF the Hawaiian Islands with respect 10
the United States, were entirely different
from those existing later, ana at the time
Of my election and. indeed, at the time
the Hawaiian Islands finally became a part
OF the United States. the organic law be-
coming effective, and making the Hawaiian
Islands definitely q part OF the United
States II June. 1900 almost q year and a
half after the pretended letters are dated.
I am nov sinee-@Iy and thoroughly an
American and I SeIieye in and heartily
support their Institutions
I submit that [ should have in fair
ness. q definite statement from the com
mittee as TO what portions Of these
charges they deem material and desire
from ne an answer, expressing the fur
Their desire 10 have a reasonable time
after learning from the committee their
wishes within which 10 submit my an
sWer- Very respectfully.
ROBERT W. WILCOX
Delegate from the Territory OF Hawaii il
the Congress of the United States
AT the end of Mr. RObinsCus state
ment, Chairman Tayler said the commit
tee had yesterday considered the first
charge made against Mr. Wilcox, and
that the matter had been discussed by
the committee. There was no rule OF
procedure in such case as the one now
before the committee
Referring TO Ar Robinson's suggestion
that MIR Wilcox be allowed ten days 10
prepare an answer Chairman TayleT said
Congress would adjourn IN few days;
that the matter was new before Congress.
and it ought 10 be disposed Of before I'd
iCuTnment of Congress
Mr. Wiicox had known OF these charges
for some time The committee. ne said.
would consider the charge whether there
was an answer or not The committee, he
said, we're not uniriendIy TO Mr. Wilcox.
TIE question before the committee he
said was one Of fact.
Mr.. Mann. Of the committee. said 1t
would be wei TO know under what circum-
stances the alleged letters were written.
Chairman Tayler said the original let
jers were here and requested Attorney
Gear to let the committee have them Mr. |
Gear said he did not have them with him
but could produce them later.
On motion OF Mr.. Linney, the committee
went into executive session 20 consider a |
line OF policy 10 be pursued