Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1909-12-02
Annexation.

~ "a
ton and recognizing the defenseless
condition of the common people, he.
a few years later, proclaimed a Bill
Of Rights, which at once transformed
q feudal despotism into a constitu-
tional monarchy. These reforms were
quickly followed by the organization
Of an executive ministry, the creation
Of a judiciary department and the
adoption Of provisions for an adjust
ment of land tenure, and in 1852 a
constitution was promulgated, form
ing the basis Of others which followed,
and a legislative body was created and
universal suffrage granted to the peo-
pie, which was restricted only by a
property qualification and the ability
to read and write.
In 1867 a Reciprocal Treaty was con
cluded with the United States by
which, for the cession of Pearl Har-
Dor, sugar was admitted free of duty
to the United States. This immedi-
ately gave a tremendous impetus to
the sugar industry and caused the
country to prosper to a greater degree
than ever before, and was the chief
feature in making possible the Amer
fcan annexation of the islands later.
Upon King Kalakau's death, Queen
Lilioukalani came to the throne in
1891. About two years after her ac-
cession to the throne she attempted to
force a new constitution on the peo-
pie, restoring the old powers of roy
atty, and this resulted in a ~bloodless
revolution In which the queen was de-
posed and a provisional government
established. Upon the failure to Sc
cure annexation to the United
States following this revolution, the
Republic of Hawaii was organized
July the 4th, 1894, with Sanford B.
Dole as President. On the 18th Of
August, 1898, annexation to the United
States was finally accomplished and
in 1900 the islands were organized
as the Territory of Hawaii, and the
Stars and Stripes have floated proudly
above them ever since and will con
tinue to do so.
Unlike some of our other insular
possessions, the Territory of Hawaii
is a money-maker for Uncle Sam. The
Honolulu Custom House in the fiscal
year 1908 collected $3.50, 100000 which
went into the United States Treasury,
while in that year the United States
Government spent only about $780,
100000 in the islands, giving us a net
profit of considerably more than ST.
900, 900.
Government.
The islands now enjoy a territorial
form Of government very much the
same as that of New Mexico and Ari-
iona, having a Legislature which
meets bi-ennially and which consists
of a Senate and House of Representa-
tives, the senators being elected for
four years and the Representatives for
two years. The executive departmnt
of the government includes a Gov
ernor, who is appointed by the Presi-
dent of the United States, as well as
the other necessary state officers. The
judicial department embraces a SUI
preme court and circuit and district
courts. The territory elects a dele
gate to the Congress OF the United
States, who has a seat in the House
of Representatives, but no vote. The
present delegate, Prince Kuhio Kalan-
ianaole Ga Prince of good fellows),
was, in his first campaign, elected
over his older brother, Prince David,
who ran on the Democratic ticket. On
the death Of Prince David, a few years
ago, Prince Kuhio, or Cupid" as he
is familiarly called, who is a nephew
of the childless ex-queen, became the
heir apparent to the throne, but so
thoroughly American has he become
that 1t is doubtful If he would trade
his seat in Congress for the Hawaiian
Crown, if it were possible to do so.
Yet, a tinge of sadness might have
been detected in his tone when, on
passing the Queens Palace (now the
United States Government Building),
he said to some congressman who
were with him, as he pointed to some
second-story windows: "Those were
my apartments in the old days when
they were teaching me how to be a
King"
The native Hawaiian seems a nat
ural-born poet, orator and politician.
He manifests a great interest in the
elections and in the issues Of the
political campaigns. Many of the
brightest lights in both branches of
the legislature are natives, some of
whom it was my pleasure to meet
and converse with. But, under that
stern law of nature which gives the
control of the weaker to the stronger
race. the Hawaiian has already passed
from the stage as a controlling fac
tor in the government of the country
that once was his. But, under good
leadership, he continues to be the
good citizen he always was. Crime
was practically unknown to the Ha-
waiian. There was no such thing as
a door lock in the islands before civ
ilization set in, and ven today the
one prison on the island is filled, when
filed at all, with others than Hawaii
ans.
Population.
tL = 49, 4, GMNgr0 t, , a"s.