The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1913-03-21

ed many fine horses. John A. Cummins
was foreman on his father Is ranch and
had charge of his city market and liv-
cry and sale stables, and was brought
into contact with the captains and of
icers of vessels as well as acting as
drover with his native horsemen in col
Letting herds of cattle. Thus he grew
up with the chiefs and people and nat
rrally leaned more to his mother IS side
of the family than to the father s.
He always took part in politics in
his own section, Koolau, Oahu, but
merely for the sake of having good
men elected to represent his district in
the Hawaiian parliament. In 1873 he
was himself returned by Koolau dis
trict as their representative and assist
ed in the election of King Dunalilo, and
in the following year lent material aid
toward the election of King Kalakaua.
The latter would gladly have kept
John A. Cummins near him in the ca
pacity of chamberlain, but his father
objected and required his services at
Waimanalo.
Immediately after Kalakaua' IS cleo
ton the King turned his attention to-
ward developing his country resources
and was instrumental in affecting a
treaty of reciprocity with the United
States. 1t was one of the first steps
toward annexation. Under the treaty
the sugar industry prospered. The
Cummins plantation was amongst those
that were greatly enhanced in value
through the free market for sugar,
sugar planting at Waimanalo having
been begun in 1879.
Minister of the King.
In 1890 John A. Cummins accepted
the portfolio of minister of foreign aft
fairs in Kalakaua's cabinet. In No
vember of that year the King went on
visit to California, nominally for his
health, but his intentions were to go ia
Washington to endeavor to obtain fol
his country some reparatiOn for the
partial annulment of the reciprocity
treaty through the effect of the McHin
ley bill, which admitted sugar from
other countries free.
After touring the State of Califor
mia, Kalakaua died in San Francisco
on January 20, 1891. On the arrival OF
the u. S. S. Charleston with the re
mains of the King on January 90, Mr.
Cummins, as premier, attended to anC
supervised the ceremonies for his fun
eral, which took place on February Is
1891.
Dismissed by Iiliuokalani.
On the Goth of January, 1891, the
Kings sister, who had been Regent
took the oath to support the constitu
tion and began her reign as Liliuoka
lani. One of her first acts was to de
mand the resignation of John A. Cum
minis and his co-ministers from the cab
met, in which the supreme court up
held her. He determined to eschev
politics and devote himself to his bust
ness affairs.
All Hawaiian residents are familia
, with the discussions which followed tn
ascendency of Liliuokalani to- tn
throne and the frequent changes in he
I cabinets. Finally, on it becomin
/ known that her intention was to abrC
gate the constitution she had sowr
to support and to substitute anothe
which would give her greater powe
confirmed in the constitution of 1881
1 mdbb meetings WeEo tallSu ana III wa
decided 10 remove Queen LiliuokalaI
from the throne. When in extremi
she called Mr.. Cummins and besougt
his advice, which was freely given, bu
she did not follow it.
Attempts at Resignation.
Naturally, neither the removal of tn
Queen and the establishment of Pr
yisional Government, nor the establish
ment of Republic, were popular wit
the natives. In 1893 some of the lea'
ers amongst them came to Mr.. Gun
Minis to solicit his assistance towaI
purchasing a printing press and typ
that they might express their views
opposition. This he lent them, but
might as well have been a gift, as
was mover repaid.
When the Provisional Governmel
sent the S. s. Claudine on the speci
mission 10 carry the commissioners
Washington, Mr.. Cummins sent a IL
ter 10 General Schoheld, friend Of hi
in which he described tho events whit
had taken place leading up TO the d
thronement Of the Queer. The Gener
answered that he was sorry for VIII
had taken place, but that the naval m,
81 the United States wanted the
lands 20 be part Of the Union, !
had. however, forwarded tho letter
tho President.
Loved tina Monarchy.
OF all tho Hawaiians there was no
FROM whom would have been expect
greater love for the monarchy Al
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