No. 35.
Mr. Macfarlane to Mr. Blount.
Sir: In obedience to your request I append herewith a list of the members of the Legislature of 1892, classified under the political parties represented in that session of the Legislature, by which you will see that the—
| Nationals numbered | 13 |
| Reformers numbered | 17 |
| Liberals numbered | 14 |
| Independents numbered | 3 |
| Total | 52 |
The above fifty-two members comprising a full legal legislature,viz;
| Nobles | 24 |
| Representatives | 24 |
| Cabinet ministers | 4 |
| Total | 52 |
Of the three “Independents” noted above, two of them, Messrs. Hind and Dreier, on every important vote joined with the Nationals and throughout the session were always counted in the ranks of that party, while Mr. Kauki generally followed in the lead of the Reform party.
[Page 1138]At the commencement of the session, then, with this disposition of the three Independent members, the House then stood:
| Nationals | 20 |
| Reform | 18 |
| Liberals | 14 |
| Total | 52 |
In organizing the House Mr. J. S. Walker (National) was elected president by acclamation. The real contest was upon the election of the secretary—all three parties placing candidates in nomination, as follows: C. J. McCarthy (National), J. A. Low (Reform), D. L. Kekumano (Liberal).
On the first ballot 46 votes were cast, of which McCarthy (national) received 22; Low (reform) received 14; Kekumano (liberal) received 10.
There was no election, a majority being required. On the second ballot 45 votes were cast, resulting in the election of the national candidate upon the following vote: McCarthy (national), 23; Low (reform), 20; Kekumano (liberal), 2.
The nationals likewise succeeded in electing the balance of the officers of the House, in spite of a fusion of the liberals and reform party.
At no time during the last session of the Legislature could the reform party carry through any measures without the assistance of either of the other two parties. A combination was finally effected between the reform and liberal parties, and an attempt was made to vote out the Macfarlane-Neumann ministry (national), but they failed to carry the resolution of want of confidence by one vote.
A second attempt was made shortly thereafter and the ministry was retired.
The reform party then formed a ministry, but not being acceptable to the nationals and liberals, the two latter factions combined and in turn the Wilcox-Robinson cabinet was voted out on the day preceding the last day of the session.
The Queen appointed a new cabinet on the last day of the session and then prorogued the Legislature.
The revolution followed within a couple of days thereafter.
I have the honor to be, sir, your most obedient servant,
His Excellency J. H.
Blount,
United States
Minister Plenipotentiary, etc., Honolulu.