Hawaii monarchal election, 1874
Encyclopedia
The Royal Elections of 1874 were held in Hawaii
February 12, 1874. It was the second time an elections for head of state
was held. According to the Constitution of 1864
, article 22 stated if the monarch dies before naming a successor “such vacancy, shall cause a meeting of the Legislative Assembly, who shall elect by ballot some native Alii of the Kingdom as Successor”, therefore the elections were held by the representatives not the public.
had won, Queen Emma’s
supporters numbering about 100 were enraged by the results and attempted to punished the Representatives that voted against their candidate initiating a riot
amongst this faction of the crowd. Committeemen for Kalākaua attempting to deliver the election results got into the carriage in front of the court house but were impeded by the rioters and fled back to the court house while being beaten, while the carriage was broken apart to make clubs with. Honolulu Police
guarding the legislature initially held back the rioters from entering the court house but were overwhelmed. When the police were unable to stop the riot they removed their badges to save themselves from being targeted as members of the government establishment. The rioters entered the court house beating the representatives and vandalized the offices, One representative was thrown out a upper story window. After half an hour the riot began to subside. Minister Charles Bishop
requested United States Minister Henry Peirce
for foreign intervention to the embarrassment that Hawaii, a nation could not quell its own riot. 150 soldiers from the USS Portsmouth and USS Tuscarora
arrived at the riot in fifteen minutes followed by 70 British soldiers from the HMS Tenedos
. The remaining rioters cheered the British believing they came to aid in the melee, instead the two militaries rounded up rioters. Rioters attempted to hide with the elements of the crowd that took no part in the riot and other that went to Queen Emma’s residence. 50 rioters were charged for leading the riot, twelve representatives were injured one of which died of his injuries.
Hawaii
Hawaii is the newest of the 50 U.S. states , and is the only U.S. state made up entirely of islands. It is the northernmost island group in Polynesia, occupying most of an archipelago in the central Pacific Ocean, southwest of the continental United States, southeast of Japan, and northeast of...
February 12, 1874. It was the second time an elections for head of state
Head of State
A head of state is the individual that serves as the chief public representative of a monarchy, republic, federation, commonwealth or other kind of state. His or her role generally includes legitimizing the state and exercising the political powers, functions, and duties granted to the head of...
was held. According to the Constitution of 1864
1864 Constitution of the Kingdom of Hawaii
The Constitution of 1864 of the Kingdom of Hawaii was a rewrite of the 1852 constitution issued by King Kamehameha III. It dramatically changed the way Hawaii's government worked by increasing the power of the king and changing the way the kingdom's legislature worked...
, article 22 stated if the monarch dies before naming a successor “such vacancy, shall cause a meeting of the Legislative Assembly, who shall elect by ballot some native Alii of the Kingdom as Successor”, therefore the elections were held by the representatives not the public.
Courthouse Riot of 1874
Leading up to the elections, interest, media of the time, and early political parties developed strong opinions amongst the public of their candidates. On Election Day February 12, 1874 a crowd of citizens had congregated at the legislature to be informed of the results of the elections. The votes were cast by the Legislative Assembly and KalākauaKalakaua
Kalākaua, born David Laamea Kamanakapuu Mahinulani Nalaiaehuokalani Lumialani Kalākaua and sometimes called The Merrie Monarch , was the last reigning king of the Kingdom of Hawaii...
had won, Queen Emma’s
Queen Emma of Hawaii
Queen Consort Emma Kalanikaumakaamano Kaleleonālani Naea Rooke of Hawaii was queen consort of King Kamehameha IV from 1856 to his death in 1863. She ran for ruling monarch against King David Kalākaua but was defeated....
supporters numbering about 100 were enraged by the results and attempted to punished the Representatives that voted against their candidate initiating a riot
Riot
A riot is a form of civil disorder characterized often by what is thought of as disorganized groups lashing out in a sudden and intense rash of violence against authority, property or people. While individuals may attempt to lead or control a riot, riots are thought to be typically chaotic and...
amongst this faction of the crowd. Committeemen for Kalākaua attempting to deliver the election results got into the carriage in front of the court house but were impeded by the rioters and fled back to the court house while being beaten, while the carriage was broken apart to make clubs with. Honolulu Police
Honolulu Police Department
The Honolulu Police Department is the principal law enforcement agency of the City and County of Honolulu, Hawai'i, headquartered in the Alapa'i Police Headquarters in Honolulu CDP....
guarding the legislature initially held back the rioters from entering the court house but were overwhelmed. When the police were unable to stop the riot they removed their badges to save themselves from being targeted as members of the government establishment. The rioters entered the court house beating the representatives and vandalized the offices, One representative was thrown out a upper story window. After half an hour the riot began to subside. Minister Charles Bishop
Charles Reed Bishop
Charles Reed Bishop was a businessman and philanthropist in Hawaii.Born in Glens Falls, New York, he sailed to Hawaii in 1846 at the age of 24, and made his home there. Bishop was one of the first trustees of and a major donor to the Kamehameha Schools in Hawaii...
requested United States Minister Henry Peirce
Henry A. Peirce
Henry Augustus Peirce was an American businessman and diplomat. Some sources spell his last name as Pierce.-Early life and business:...
for foreign intervention to the embarrassment that Hawaii, a nation could not quell its own riot. 150 soldiers from the USS Portsmouth and USS Tuscarora
USS Tuscarora (1861)
The first USS Tuscarora was a sloop of war in the United States Navy during the American Civil War.Tuscarora was laid down on 27 June 1861 at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, by Merrick & Sons; launched on 24 August 1861; sponsored by Miss Margaret Lardner; and commissioned on 5 December 1861, Commander...
arrived at the riot in fifteen minutes followed by 70 British soldiers from the HMS Tenedos
HMS Tenedos
Four ships and a training establishment of the Royal Navy have borne the name HMS Tenedos, after the island of Tenedos:-Ships: was a 38-gun fifth rate launched in 1812. She was used as a convict hulk from 1843 and was broken up in 1875. was a wooden Eclipse class screw sloop launched in 1870...
. The remaining rioters cheered the British believing they came to aid in the melee, instead the two militaries rounded up rioters. Rioters attempted to hide with the elements of the crowd that took no part in the riot and other that went to Queen Emma’s residence. 50 rioters were charged for leading the riot, twelve representatives were injured one of which died of his injuries.