Jere Krischel at 04:25, 22 December 2005

2005-12-22T04:25:17Z

Jere Krischel at 18:48, 11 December 2005

2005-12-11T18:48:35Z

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578 HAWAIIAN ISLANDS.
Senator GRAY. Was it dark when you got it?
Mr JONES. Yes, as I remember, it was dark.
Senator GRAY. Were you all together when this officer came with
these gentlemen who composed the Eoyal Government?
Mr. JONES. Yes.
Senator GRAY. I wish you would try to recollect, if you can—if you
can not of course you will say so—the coming in of that officer from
Mr. Stevens; I mean, as to the time.
Mr. JONES. I would not attempt to do that, because I really do not
remember.
Senator GRAY. Of course, if you do not remember you would not
attempt to say. This was on the 17th of January, Tuesday?
Mr. JONES. Yes.
Senator GRAY. YOU say, "Many threats were made and many
rumors were in circulation every day that caused much anxiety and
constant watching. The strain was very great all these days, and so
many threats were made we consulted with the advisory council and
decided that to bring about a state of quiet we would ask the protection
of the American minister, and suggested that the American flag
be hoisted on the Government building, Avlnch we consented to do,
and the flag was raised on the morning of February 1st." Now, when
was it that you first consulted in regard to that request to have the
American flag raised?
Mr. JONES. I think it was the last day of January, as I remember.
We went up to see Mr. Stevens, up to his house, and to the executive
council.
Senator GRAY. How long before that had you talked it among yourselves
?
Mr. JONES. Perhaps for a day or so.
Senator GRAY. Who first told you that the troops had been landed
from the Boston f
Mr. JONES. One of our German residents told us.
Senator GRAY. What did he tell you?
Mr. JONES. He told us that they were landed to preserve life and
property.
Senator GRAY. That was the language he used, or was it your understanding?
Mr. JONES. No, I think that was his language—the request of the
committee, and he probably repeated what he had heard down town.
Senator GRAY. I only want your recollection. Do you recollect who
it was that so informed you?
Mr. JONES. Yes. I can not call his name. Let me see. I know he
is a clerk in F. A. Schaeft'er & Co's. I can not call his name just now.
Senator GRAY. You say you do not think those native Hawaiians are
capable of self-government?
Mr. JONES. I do not think so.
Senator GRAY. Do you think they necessarily have to be governed
by a more intelligent class for their own as well as for your benefit?
Mr. JONES. I think so.
Senator GRAY. You think that the intelligent and those having property
interests will have to control the country for the good of those
islands?
Mr. JONES. It seems to me so. That is my opinion, although I would
give them the same rights that I ask for myself.
Senator GRAY. But that is your opinion of what the best interests
of the islands require?
t
HAWAIIAN ISLANDS ° ' a
Mr. JONES. Yes.
Senator GRAY. IS that the general opinion of those who are associated
with you ?
Mr. JONES. I think so. Mr. Lance is that gentleman's name. I
should be very sorry to live there under native rule entirely, where we
pay all the taxes.
Senator GRAY. You went out of office on the 12th?
Mr. JONES. Twelfth of January; from the Queen's cabinet.
Senator GRAY. Was there a new cabinet formed immediately t
Mr. JONES. Oh, yes.
Senator GRAY. Who composed it?
Mr. JONES. Oornwell, Peterson, Parker, and Colburn.
The CHAIRMAN. Let me ask you just there. Under the constitution
of Hawaii is it necessary before the new cabinet take office that it
should be confirmed by the Legislature?
Mr. JONES. No. The Queen appoints, but the Legislature can vote
them out. The Queen cannot discharge the new cabinet. What is
known as the Cornwell cabinet was voted out.
Senator GRAY. Are they voted out directly, or is a vote of want of
confidence the process?
Mr. JONES. Yes.
Senator GRAY. Then a vote of want of confidence means that the
cabinet has ceased to hold office?
Mr. JONES. Yes. If they secure 25 votes, the cabinet must retire.
Senator GRAY. IS that a majority?
Mr. JONES. That is a majority. On the 4th of January they brought
in a vote of want of confidence in the Wilcox cabinet, and they secured
only 19 votes. On the strength' of that the minister went up to Hawaii
with the Boston and was gone until it came back, on the veL-y day that
the Queen undertook to overthrow the Government by proclaiming the
new constitution. We felt satisfied that she could not get the Wiicox
cabinet out, and he thought tliere was no need of holding the Boston
there any more; that tliere was no danger.
The CHAIRMAN. When did you first become aware of the fact that
the Queen intended to abrogate the constitution of 18S7?
Mr. JONES. On the evening of the 11th' of January.
The CHAIRMAN. About what time?
Mr. JONES. It was about half past 6, just after dinner.
The CrtAiUMAN. Who was your informant?
Mr. JONES. Mr. Henry Wateihouse.
The CHAIRMAN. What connection had he, if any, with the Government?
Mr. JONES. None whatever at that time.
The CHAIRMAN. Had he previously to that*
Mr. JONES. He had been a member of the Legislature; not that year.
The CHAIRMAN. He was a private citizen?
Mr. JONES. He was a private citizen. He got the information from
Colburn's brother.
The CHAIRMAN. One of the men put into the ministry?
Mr. JONES. Yes.
The CHAIRMAN. Did you have any communication with any member
of this cabinet upon that subject?
Mr. JONES. No.
The CHAIRMAN. None of them gave you any information as to the
intention of the Queen to abrogate the constitution of 1887?
Mr. JONES. No.

Template:578-579 - Revision history

Jere Krischel at 04:25, 22 December 2005

Jere Krischel at 18:48, 11 December 2005