MINISTER STEVENS

John L. Stevens.

Cortland Evening Standard, Thursday, December 21, 1893.

MINISTER STEVENS.

HIS REPLY TO PRESIDENT CLEVELAND'S MESSAGE.

The Allegations In Mr. Blount's Report Against the Official Conduct of Captain Wiltse and Himself Are Grossly Untrue, He Says—The Queen and the Lottery Ring Openly Defied the Legislature.

   AUGUSTA, Me., Dec. 21.— Ex-Minister Stevens last night made the following reply to President Cleveland's message and his criticisms of Mr. Stevens' official conduct:

   "Human government in its best form sometimes fails to secure all the just objects for which it has been created. No one who has studied the doings of the remarkable body of men who formulated the constitution of the United States has failed to observe what care and effort were exercised to create an executive power which would not be abused for purposes of usurpation and tyranny. In creating the office of president it was impossible to provide against all contingencies of usurpation by that officer. The provision for impeachment was the best safeguard that the framers of the constitution could constitute. The great reluctance of the conservative men of the country to remove the chief executive for abuse of power seems to have encouraged President Cleveland to resort to the extraordinary measure of overturning the provisional government of Hawaii, while as much as possible concealing his attention from the American congress.

   "There is nothing in American history more shameful in its scope of injustice and tyranny than the attempt of President Cleveland and Secretary Gresham to crush out liberty and American interests in Hawaii by the threat to restore the extinct Hawaiian monarchy by force of arms or by diplomatic chicanery and pressure, more infamous, if possible, than the use of ball and bayonet. The allegations in Blount's report against the official conduct of Captain Wiltse and myself are grossly untrue, are in manifest antagonism to all the reasonable probabilities and logic of the situation in Honolulu in January last.

   "President Cleveland's grossly untrue and shamefully unjust allegation against myself and the naval commander rests entirely on the statements of the four notoriously corrupt ministers of the fallen queen, of Wilson, the Tahitian half-white immoral favorite, and other thoroughly discredited testimony.

   "Persons of the highest character for intelligence and integrity, who know and witnessed the events when the monarchy fell, have contradicted expressly this secretly collected testimony of Commissioner Blount.

   "I only repeat here what has been amply verified again and again that neither by force, nor threat of force, or by any action of mine was the fall of the monarchy precipitated.

   "If President Cleveland sees fit to make a point against my official conduct that months before the events of last January I had advocated annexation, he deliberately and purposely conceals that what I said in my dispatch in November, 1892, was a confidential statement to the department of the true condition of affairs in Hawaii.

   The queen, her immoral favorite, Wilson, and the lottery ring, openly defied the legislature and the property holders of the islands. Only the remarkable self-possession of the respectable and responsible men of the islands prevented an outbreak and the overthrow of the monarchy at an earlier day.

   "Captain Wiltse and myself on the Boston arrived in the harbor of Honolulu in the forenoon of Jan. 14.

   "I was completely taken by surprise at what the queen, the palace associates and the lottery gang accomplished in 10 days.

   "The surging, irresistible tide of the revolution was then obvious to all persons not willfully blind.

   "Without sleep for two days and nights on the Boston, without stopping to change dress, with the English minister I attempted to get access to the queen to try by friendly advice to arrest the revolution.

   "It was too late. The mobs of royal retainers were already gathering to the palace to aid the queen to carry out her plan of overturning the constitution.

   "What took place at the palace that afternoon of Jan. 14 ended the Hawaiian monarchy forever.

   "I will not here repeat what I before said to the American public as to the falsity of the charge that Queen Liliuokalani was driven from her throne by American force, or by the threat of American force, in any form or manner whatever.

   "As to the landing of the Boston's marines Jan. 16, I only did what had been done on a previous Hawaiian crisis by Commander Woodward, on the request of Minister Merrill, acting under the Cleveland-Bayard order, Aug. 1, 1889.

   "At that time the United States legation was near the royal palace, at a less distance than the Arlon hall, of which Cleveland and Blount speak of as so commanding. Of the hall I had never heard of until a lodging place was needed for the marines after they had landed, a hall that I have never yet seen.

   "By an accurate map just received from Honolulu, it is obvious that this hall does not command the palace. The president's statement that the three points at which our small naval force was placed were not favorably chosen for the protection of American life and property, is radically an error, as all know who are familiar with the map and the buildings of Honolulu.

   "The representations of the president that the queen's Wilson had sufficient force in the limited area of the police station to sustain the monarchy, is notoriously absurd to all honest persons acquainted with the facts.

   "If the queen had this force, why had it not been entered while the outraged people were openly holding their great mass-meeting and making their arrangements for the establishment of a new government?

   "Why did Wilson and his so-called force wait until the outraged citizens gathered with their rifles and bottled them up in the police station?

   "Why did the queen's representatives call at the United States legation on the 17th and ask the aid of the United States force to support her?

   "There never was a more preposterous assumption than this assertion of the president that the queen on Jan. 17 had ample force to sustain her and to enable her to carry on the government.

   "This studiously maintained assumption of the president is based on the testimony of the notoriously corrupt representatives of the rings that surround Liliuokalani. That the Hawaiian monarchy was overturned by the United States force was, and is, put forth for the sole purpose of bringing discredit on the preceding administration, and on the action of the foreign relation's committee of the United States senate in favor of annexation. It remains to be seen if the American congress and American people will approve the conspiracy to make war on the provisional government at Hawaii, and use the military forces of the United States or the diplomatic pressure of the United States for the restoration of a semi-barbarous queen in want, on defiance of the best American opinions and antecedents, and by an excessive use of executive power against an American colony, more positive and more excusable than which George III and his ministers sought to impose on the American colonies that formed the government of the United States."

Direct from Honolulu.

   SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 21.—The steamship Mariposa from Honolulu arrived today with advices to Dec. 14. She says the cutter Corwin arrived there on the morning of Dec. 14, bringing dispatches to Minister Willis. Their contents was [sic] withheld but there is a belief in Honolulu that Mr. Willis is instructed to use every effort in his power short of force to restore the queen to the throne. Affairs are all quiet though.

On Trial For Kissing.

   SPOKANE, Wash., Dec. 21.—Ah Num, a wealthy Chinaman, is on trial for kissing Mrs. Annie Billow. The defense is that Mrs. Billow is addicted to morphine and is laboring under a delusion.

POST GROVER CAPTURED.

It Seemed Serious but it Turned Out Well.

(From Our Special Correspondent In the Field.)

   Nothing has occurred in military circles since the disbanding of the Forty-fifth Separate company which was a greater surprise than the occurrences of last evening at the headquarters of Grover Post, No. 98, Grand Army of the Republic, as indicated by the heading of this article. Last night was the regular meeting of the post and besides it had been designated as the night for the annual inspection. Past Commander Hendrick of McGrawville was to have been present as inspector, but late in the afternoon was called away, or he would doubtless have shared the fate of the other comrades.

   Post meeting was called to order at the usual hour and the sentinels on duty reported everything securely guarded. Just as the business of the evening was concluded there was an alarm at the outpost and Comrade Filler, who was on picket duty, thinking maybe a train was coming, got out his white flag, but recovering himself he immediately challenged "who comes there?" The answer was "a friend without the countersign."

   The party proved to be a lady and, as she was sent under guard immediately to headquarters, it was whispered along the lines and through the camp, as it used to be in the army, "Boys, there's a piece of calico in camp." The lady was recognized immediately as Mrs. William R. Hill, president of the Woman's Relief Corps. Instead of begging for mercy for herself as a prisoner she assumed an air of authority and notified the commander that she had his entire force surrounded, every avenue of escape cut off and she demanded the immediate and unconditional surrender of the entire force.

   She was not in favor of any Hawaiian policy of delay, but gave notice that she proposed to annex the whole post. The quartermaster, as he thought of his splendid mules, hoped at first that he could hide them, but he saw at once that their ears would stick out. One pair of lead mules he particularly wanted to save, but they had to go same as the "Wheeler."

   Comrade Phelps was seen to reach down into the leg of his cavalry box in search of his old revolver, while Adjutant Seacord groaned over the thought that his books, morning reports, and private dispatches must all fall into the enemy's hands. Escape was impossible, but the commander would not surrender until better satisfied of the strength of the enemy. Accordingly a side door was thrown open and there stood the force—a whole corps assaulting one post. The post surrendered.

   The whole company was immediately marched out into the diningroom and the prisoners ordered to sit down, not on the ground, but on chairs, a plate and cup—not tin, as they had been used to, but white dishes—and then each was served coffee and doughnuts—not hardtack.

   In the midst of this excitement two old veterans who had been away from camp foraging came in, and suspecting nothing unusual, they also were captured and brought before the company and told that they were prisoners and must give an account of themselves. Sager said it was a "big dose," a "bitter pill." Kellogg said it was "hard-ware" on a couple of innocent fellows who had only been out to hear a lecture on the "Age we used to live in." They were immediately silenced and furnished with rations: an immense doughnut was placed on one of their plates when, presto! it disappeared.

   Surgeon Filler, who sat near by [sic] turned pale, thinking the comrade might have swallowed it whole, but it was too big for that and as the comrade had no  pockets in his blouse, no one could see what had become of it. He was given another doughnut, after which the former one was found under his plate firmly clamped to the bottom with his forefinger.

   After supper came singing the old camp songs—"Marching Through Hoke Smith," "The Sword of Bunker Hill," "Tramp, Tramp, Tramp, the Boys are Marching," and "The Army Grey back."

   Commander Strowbridge arose at this point and said if there was any comrade present who had not had some unpleasant experience along the line of army grey backs, he was to arise. No one arose, but some fellow growled out in a low voice that he had heard of the things but they had never troubled him.

"Johnny Came Marching Home Again, Hurrah, Hurrah" and "America." This indeed was another delightful gathering of the old vets and their friends which will be ever remembered as one of the bright spots along the march of life—in in this last campaign of the "Boys in Blue."
   All turned to see who the comrade was, and his name—"Hunt"—gave him entirely away. Turning suddenly around Comrade George W. Edgcomb (the fellow who started the grey back song) stood scratching his back against the corner of the adjutant's desk, thinking he was not seen.  
   The entertainment closed by singing the "Woman's Relief Corps," "Johnny Came Marching Home Again, Hurrah, Hurrah" and "America." This indeed was another delightful gathering of the old vets and their friends which will be ever remembered as one of the bright spots along the march of life—in in this last campaign of the "Boys in Blue."

 

City Band Officers.

   At the annual meeting of the Cortland City band held in their rooms last evening, the following officers were elected for the ensuing year:

   President—J. D. Clark.

   Vice President—Lewis Holdridge.

   Secretary and Treasurer—E. G. Blair.

   Conductor—P. Conway.

   Trustee—Martin Conway.

Property Owners Notice.

   At an adjourned meeting of the board of trustees, held in the clerk's office Monday evening, December 18, the following resolutions were passed:

   Resolved, That property owners within the village limits be and are hereby required to clean and remove all snow and ice from the sidewalks opposite their premises before 8 o'clock A. M., and in default thereof that the same be cleared under the direction of the street commissioner, and the expense of such labor be a charge upon the owner of the lands opposite such walks. Also,

   Resolved, That all persons are hereby forbidden to throw or deposit any ashes or refuse in any of the streets or gutters of the village.

BREVITIES.

   —To-day is the shortest day of the year.

   —There are more than 500 cases of grip in Dunkirk at present. Three deaths have already occurred and two more people are said to be incurable.

   —The public schools for the first time are to-day all taking uniform examinations from questions arranged for the various grades by Superintendent Coon.

   —The phonograph is being used by a New York physician in recording the sounds of diseases, particularly of the nose, throat and chest. Much success is attending his efforts.

   —There are 1,200 Cherokee Indians in North Carolina, who own 74,000 acres of very fine land and have four government schools. Their chief is Stillwell Sownooke and he cannot speak English.

   —To-day the town is full of people and it really seems like the Holiday season. The fine sleighing has brought all the country people into town. The merchants say it really seems like a Holiday trade.

   —Sheriff Hoxsie of Onondaga county was fined $10 last Wednesday for contempt by County Judge Northrup. He failed to serve an ejectment which would have put a 93-year-old woman out on the sidewalk in the cold.

   —Miss Austin's private school have been rehearsing under the direction of Miss Aletta Bridgeford and will this evening present a Christmas drama in G. A. R. hall. A small admission of ten cents will be charged.

   —The board of health of New York City has had its inspectors make a canvass of the tenement house district during the week, to ascertain the number out of employment. It is estimated that there are 78,960 unemployed in that city.

   —Few persons know what is meant by a "size" in the matter of coats, shoes, etc. A size in a coat is an inch; a size in underwear is two inches; a size in a sock is one inch; in a collar, one-half an inch; in shirts, one-half an inch; in shoes, one sixth of an inch; trousers, one inch; gloves, one quarter of an inch; hats, one-eighth of an inch.—Exchange.

  

All for Popcorn.

   Mr. W. C. Palmer, whose popcorn stand on the corner of Main and Court-sts. has become so popular, has this afternoon placed upon this corner a new building to be the home of his popping machine. It is six by four feet in size inside, and tall enough for a man to stand upright in. The windows are all arranged on the street car plan, to let down into pockets. Two doors furnish means of entrance and exit. The coloring is quite dainty—being of straw color and white on the outside and having a pale blue ceiling. The builder of the new house was Mr. Harry Williams. Doubtless the popcorn will taste unusually good coming from such a neat little place.