The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1905-03-05
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Mr.. Jno. A. Cummins, who was the
last Minister of Foreign Affairs under
His Majesty Kalakaua, took an active
part in the election of Kalakaua and
was intimate with him during his
whole reign. From him learned much
of the true inwardness of Hawaiian
matters. some of which will be inter
esting to the readers of the Advertiser.
He said, prior to 1873 1 had taken
active part in politics in Koolau, Oahu,
and for several consecutive elections
succeeded in getting the representative
elected whom 1 thought would be most
useful to our district. AS 1 was man
ager of the Waimanalo ranch 1 had
many men under me and was very well
acquainted with all the residents of the
had a large majority. That Legisla-
ture elected Lunalilo to the throne. He
was a very good king and a perfect
gentleman, but unfortunately was much
addicted to drink He died February 3,
1874, having reigned but thirteen
months. The Legislature was called to-
gether to elect a successor on Febrl-
airy II of the same year. 1 had been
very intimate, as boy and youth, with
Kauike-a-ouH, Kamehameha III, and
had Travelled with him around the is
land of Oahu. 1 also was friend and
companion of Liholiho, Kamehameha
", and had much respect for the good
Queen Emma, his wife. With his
brother Lot Kamehameha, Kamehame-
ha v, was not so we'll acquainted al
though we had been boys together.
When a successor to Lunalilo was
sought there were but two possible,
Kalakaua and perhaps Queen Emma, it
Mrs. Bishop, did not desire to enter
campaign. Kalakaua had attempted to
enter the lists at the time when Luna
lilo was elected in the previous year,
whelmingly for the latter.
knowing and respecting Her Maj
esty so much. L called on her and ask
ed her if she was going to be a candi-
date, when she assured me that she die
not wish to go into the race. 1 was
very sorry and tried to persuade her,
telling her 1 would do all 1 could to
have her elected. She was quite firm in
her refusal
II did not like Kalakaua, and had
not been on speaking terms with him
for ten years, having given him Sc
we're thrashing, the damages to his per-
son therefrom 1 had to pay He went
to my father and solicited his aid to
get my assistance. My father talked
to me, suggesting that king would be
more suitable than a queen at this juno
ture, as the latter would be more liable
to be guided by unreliable counsel. 1t
was thought that Kalakaua would be
more apt to favor Americans, and the
queen the English, and that the as
cendancy of the former would benefit
the country the most. He was an Eng
lishman and a member of the Episco
pal church, of which the queen was the
patroness, but that did not interfere
with his independent opinion. However,
he said to me to act as L thought best.
..Kalakaua came to me and after
shaking hands and saying he wished
we could forget the past, he asked me
to assist him by my influence in the
campaign, and I gave him my word
that L would do SO. It appears that the
queen had been waited on by Cart
wright. Pratt and others and induced
to enter the race. They had great in
fuence with my father and tried to In
duce him TO urge me to work for the
queen, but he answered that he had
left it all with me.
The queen sent for me, telling me
that she had changed her mind and was
DESTROYS of being elected. answered
that 1 was very sorry. and that 1 had
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