The Hawaiian Gazette

BOB WILCOX RETURNS

Talks Freely

Of

His

Chances.

SURE OF AN

ELECTION

Party Program Includes

Health

Board Re-organization and Municipal Government

Robert W. Wilcox who has been touring in the Islands of Hawaii and Maui for a month returned by the Claudine yesterday morning accompanied by his wife and two children. During an interview with a reporter of this paper last night, Mr. Wilcox spoke freely and frankly as follows:

During our tour on Hawaii we succeeded in getting meetings as we went along. We found that all the Hawaiians are Independents. The leader of the Independent party to-day is D. Kalauokalani, and the selection of the present candidates on the Island of Maui and Hawaii were given his sanction. I merely worked to secure my election as delegate to Congress. I received unanimous support from the whole Island of Hawaii. At some places the enthusiasm was so great that the people approved my nomination with cheers.

"On our return from Hawaii, D. Kalauokalani and I landed at Makena, and James K. Kaulia came home. Mr. Kalauokalani and I visited Kula and held a meeting there on Monday evening, September 3rd. The following day Kalauokalani left for Hana by way of Kaupo and I proceeded to Wailuku and found the Independent Home Rule project enthusiasts waiting for my arrival. A meeting was called without delay. I had the first opportunity to express my views and I spoke freely in behalf of the Independent party. In my speech I opposed the other parties and explained my reasons at the same time. Thomas Clark, who followed me, suggested that all the Independents on the Island of Maui unite with the Democrats and the former to have two-thirds of the representation for the coming legislature and the latter one-third. I opposed the scheme strongly. Aluli followed Clark, opposing my view. He also said that the Maui Independents could direct themselves without any help from the Honolulu leaders. When Aluli had concluded I told the people of the Independent badge if they wished to join with the Democrats, well and good, but they must do so wisely and not let the Democratic carpet baggers run Maui politics. After my second attack I found that the Hawaiians did not favor the proposition of my opposing friends.

"On Wednesday, the 5th of this month, a convention was held at Waihee. The Hawaiians responded to our call and so a large gathering was present at the meeting. I spoke as usual while my friend Thomas Clark brought in that same point in regard to Democratic-Independent union.

The next day I left Wailuku for Hana where I met Mr. Kalauokalani. A large number of Hawaiians gathered at our meeting held at Puuiki. Mr. Kalauokalani and I took part as usual and Thomas Clark endeavored to carry the same point that he introduced at Wailuku and Waihee. Clark wants Hayelden or William Cornwell as candidates on the Democratic ticket. These candidates will certainly have no show. During the meeting at Wailuku and Waihee, I called out to the people to rise if any of them were Democrats, but not a soul responded.

"On Friday, September 7th, we left Hana and returned to Wailuku. We met the delegates who had already gathered here from the various parts of Maui to select candidates as Representatives and Senators for the coming election. Here Mr. Kalauokalani left me and I went alone to Lahaina. I succeeded in calling a meeting there. I think it was one of the largest meetings held on our tour. Mr. William White presided."

On being asked about his chances as delegate to Congress on the Island of Maui, Mr. Wilcox answered: "There is no opposition to me. At the end of each meeting wherein it was held the people were asked to select their man for Congress. They voted unanimously in my favor. At Lahaina when Mr. William White proposed my name as delegate to Congress the people showed their approval for me by three cheers."

When Mr. Wilcox was asked about his prospects, considered Island by Island, he said: "At present I'll have a whole sweep and will surely receive the whole majority. I have no doubt that I will secure the majority in Honolulu, because every Independent voter will cast his ballot for me.

"I know Sam Parker is a strong candidate for the Republican ticket. I have not as yet heard anything said about the Democrats' choice. If we succeed in the coming struggle our main object will be to secure statehood for Hawaii. But, of course, this question remains wholly with Congress. We have already promised a municipal form of government for Hilo, and also Honolulu, in case of success.

"I understand there was something said about the Independents trying to draw a color line, as shown by the selection of candidates by the party on the islands of Maui and Hawaii. There is no such thing. As there are hardly any whites in our party to fill the positions, the choice naturally falls on the best men we could get. At present we are discussing whether or not we would place Dr. Russell of Olaa on the Independent ticket for the Senate. At first it was thought to leave Dr. Russell out. In case we succeed at the coming electoral crisis we may ask him to organize a new Board of Health. The present board is rotten, as shown by its actions during the recent bubonic epidemic.

"On our way home John H. Wise and I had some interviews in regard to the fusion of the Democratic and the Independent parties. He told me that the Democratic convention will be held at Wailuku on the 24th of this month, and they will endeavor to select the same men as we have for the Democratic ballot. The Democrats, however, wish that we would throw out one of our nominees for Senator and allow the space to be filled by William Cornwell." When asked what he thought about it, Mr. Wilcox responded: "I think our men will fight it out all right by themselves. I have heard that a conference was held between D. Kalauokalani and Prince David with his two associates to unite the two parties. Mr. Kalauokalani referred the matter to the central committee of the Independent party and they rejected the idea.

Wilcox wants to know why he should not be recognized at Washington, when he is chosen as delegate by his party. He said: "when I was over there at the early part of this year as a Royalist, I made friends with the Republicans, the Democrats, as well as the Populists. I do not see any reason why I should not gain more friends today if I should go to Washington as a full fledged American citizen, and more so as a delegate."

The reporter of this paper asked him if there was a split among the three leaders. He answered: "There is no truth, as stated in some of our local papers, that there are ill feelings existing between J. K. Kaulia, D. Kalauokalani and me."

When questioned in regard to the Honolulu candidates for the coming election, Mr. Wilcox said: "There is a certainty that D. Kalauokalani will run for Senator for the Island of Oahu, but others have not as yet been considered."