732-733
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at all that led you to think that he was disposed to participate in Hawaiian politics, Hawaiian affairs?
Mr. Hobbs. No.
The Chairman. Interfere in the slightest degree with the independence of that country?
Mr. Hobbs. No.
The Chairman. You know Captain Wiltse well?
Mr. Hobbs. Very well.
The Chairman. Have you had frequent conversations with him?
Mr. Hobbs. Yes.
Senator Frye. Ss far as you know Captain Wiltse's purpose in landing troops was to protect the lives and property of Americans?
Mr. Hobbs. Yes.
The Chairman. Was that the understanding when the troops left the ship?
Mr. Hobbs. Yes.
The Chairman. To protect life and property?
Mr. Hobbs. The troops were ordered to take no side, but to remain passive in the troubles that were occurring—political troubles.
The Chairman. Could you detect any difference between the movement of the troops ashore from the Boston and the movement that took place twenty years ago, in 1874, when you were there, as to its purposes, objects, and motives?
Mr. Hobbs. I should say it was for the same reason.
The Chairman. So far as you know it all appeared to be for the same purpose?
Mr. Hobbs. Yes.
The Chairman. The preservation of life and property?
Mr. Hobbs. Exactly.
The Chairman. Did you have any suspicion or conjecture that those troops were sent there for the purpose of breaking up one government and erecting another?
Mr. Hobbs. Not the slightest. I did not know what was the purpose I did not figure it at all.
The Chairman. You did not think there was any such purpose?
Mr. Hobbs. No.
Adjourned to meet to-morrow, the 10th instant, at 10 o'clock a. m.
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Wednesday, January 10, 1894.
The committee met pursuant to adjournment.
Present: The chairman (Senator Morgan) and Senators Gray and Frye.
Absent: Senators Butler and Sherman.
SWORN STATEMENT OF LIEUTENANT CHARLES LAIRD.
The Chairman. What is your rank in the Navy?
Mr. Laird. Lieutenant, senior grade.
The Chairman. When did you first visit the Hawaiian Islands?
Mr. Laird. On the arrival of the Boston there, August 24, 1892.
The Chairman. Were you much ashore after your arrival there?
Mr. Laird. Yes; most of the time when I was off duty I was ashore and met the people.
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The Chairman. Did you have a great many acquaintances among them?
Mr. Laird. A great many.
The Chairman. What was the general state or condition of the people as to peacefulness and quietness after January, 1893?
Mr. Laird. It was generally quiet; but there was a great deal of tension on account of the numerous changes in the cabinet and the difficulties in the Legislature. At times in and about the club I would hear people, members of the Legislature, speak of the tension, and when the lottery bill was brought up for passage there was a great deal of tension amongst the people.
The Chairman. Do you mean that that occurred after the last change in the cabinet?
Mr. Laird. No; this was progressing with each change in the cabinet. The business portion of the community was more and more dissatisfied.
The Chairman. What cabinet was in when you went there—the Wilcox cabinet?
Mr. Laird. I can not tell. I know some of the members of the last cabinet. Mr. Parker was a member of the last cabinet.
Senator Gray. Who was that?
Mr. Laird. Sam Parker.
The Chairman. I think he was a member of the last cabinet?
Senator Frye. He was a member of the cabinet that displaced the Wilcox cabinet.
Mr. Laird. He was a member of the one that displaced the Wilcox cabinet—minister of foreign relations.
The Chairman. Did you know Mr. Parker?
Mr. Laird. Yes; very well.
The Chairman. Did you hear him speak of Hawaii and the various changes of the cabinet and the passage of the lottery and the opium bills?
Mr. Laird. I went to his house at various times, visited his family, and it was very seldom that he discussed politics. If he did it was in a light, frivolous way. He was 6 feet in height, but he had more of the characteristics of a child than of a full-grown man.
The Chairman. These discussions that you heard in the club were from other persons?
Mr. Laird. Yes; from other persons, people who would come there to get their luncheon.
The Chairman. Did you go with the Boston down to Hilo on that practice cruise?
Mr. Laird. Yes, I did.
The Chairman. When did you leave Honolulu?
Mr. Laird. We left on January 4 and returned on January 14.
The Chairman. At the time you left there were you aware of the existence of any public commotion or any threat against the integrity of the government, or opposition to it at all?
Mr. Laird. No. On the contrary, I was at a dinner with Mr. Irwin, who was Claus Spreckles's partner, and he expressed himself as being well satisfied with this new cabinet.
Senator Frye. That was the Wilcox cabinet?
Mr. Laird. Yes; Mr. Wilcox, from Hawaii; P. C. Jones, Mark Robinson, and Cecil Brown, all men of very high standing in the community.
Senator Frye. Was Mr. Irwin a man of wealth?
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