The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1901-02-19
WILCOX'S
REPLY.
Delegate Answers
Charge Of
Treason.
ADMITS WRITING
FILIPINO LETTERS
he Says That He Did Not Under
stand Our American
Institutions.

~
" charges against Delegate Will
w cox of Hawaii We're taken up
today by House Committee on Elec-
tions No. l. Wilcox was present, &C
companied by Representative Robin
son of Indiana who appeared as his
friend and counsel Robinson stated
at the outset that as Wilcox was I'M
familiar with the procedure In cleo
ton contests, he had consented TO ap-
pear in behalf of the Delegate.
At the afternoon session Represen-
tative Robinson presented the follow
ing specific answer of Wilcox to the
charges contained in the letters sub
mitted:
That he (Wilcox) is a native Ha
waiian; that he shared with the ma
tive people in their loyalty to the
former Queen Liliuokalani during her
reign and was not in sympathy with
ceeding her reign.
That after the annexation of Ha
wall he did not understand fully the
institutions the feelings of the
United States. but all doubts were dis
PEELED when the Congress gave to the
people of Hawaii a splendid system OF
organic laws.
That, in common with the people,
he at all times, with genuine patriot
ism, supported the United States and
4 it's institutions and is now and has
been a loyal supporter of the Consti-
tuition, laws and Government of the
United States.
He admits that on January 81, 1899,
and on March s, 1899, he wrote the let
tiers appearing in the petition; that
said letters We're of a personal and
confidential nature, and sent to one
whom he supposed was a friend and
whom he thought would not betray
his confidence. He further says that
said letters were written by him under
an entire misconception of the real at
titude of the Government of the
United States toward the people of
Hawaii.
THAT under the laws of the United
States at a fair and free election he
was elected as a Delegate from Ha-
wall and no reason exists or has ex-
listed disqualifying him.,
The additional letters written by
Wilcox were submitted and he made
the same answer to them. These let
ters were written in 1899 and criticised
the American course in the Philip
pines.
Gear, the prosecutor, then commended
that the election of Wilcox was ir-
regular and void, as the requirements
of the United States statutes were not
complied with. On being cross-ques-
toned, Gear said he had made speeches
in Hawaii favoring the election as
Delegate of Parker. the opponent OF
Wilcox, and in these speeches he had
not questioned the right of Hawaii to
have Delegate. Gear stated that in
WicoX's campaign speeches he had
said he would restore Queen Liliuoka-
lani. When the witness said Wilcox
had externally damned the Amer-
cans" the Delegate muttered lie
but was restrained by his counsel.
After Gear had presented his evidence
he made an extended argument ar
raiSning the Delegate.
During the argument Mann inter-
jected the statement that certain let
ters written by eminent men came
quite as near treason as those of Will
cox referring to the Filipnos.
Robinson made a brief closing argu-
ment on behalf of Wilcox, severely
criticising those who had betrayed the
confidence of private letters and had
made them the basis of these charges.
A brief on the law points will be sub
mitted next Tuesday.
WASHINGTON, Feb. The House
Committee on Elections No. / has de-
cided to take cognzance of the petit
tions and charges filed against Dele
gate Wilcox of Hawaii. George d.
Gear of Hawaii. who makes the
charges, was questioned on law points
The members We're agreed that the
matter should be cleared up by an In
quiry, and it was arranged to take
Gears testimony and that of Wilcox.
When the hearing began at o'clock
Delegates DilcoX and his chief accuser
George ID. Gear, who has resided In
Hawaii for the last two years, wer.
present. Chairman Tayler of ohio
asked Wilcox If he had read the
charges. The Delegate replied in the |
affirmative Tayler said the portions /
relating to Wilcox's marriage would be |
passed over, and then asked the direct ,
question whether the Delegate had
written the letters specified in the
charges.
II VIII answer In a proper way"
spoke up the Hawaiian, I'm broken ac-
cents, but | will do II 10 the com I
mittee and not before these soreheads
coming here"
The chairman explained that the
hearings would be public and all or
WilcoNS rights would he respected,
Mann OF Illinois, a member OF the
stated that time should he
given for such formal answer as Will 1
COX might With to make Mr.. Wilcox
said he could prepare his answer by
tomorrow % the committee adjourned
I'M 10 n. m. tomorrow.