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 reign of Kalakaua were continued under the queen, and the government went from bad to worse, the sessions of the national legislature being marked by open bribery, apparently with the approval of the head of the state.

A crisis came in January, 1893. The queen was determined to overthrow the existing constitution and to proclaim one whereby more autocratic power would be possessed by her. As the first step to this end she sought to rid herself of her constitutional ministry. The legislature was prorogued, and the nobles and the diplomatic corps were summoned to the palace, the purpose being understood to be to witness the promulgation of the new constitution. This aroused the fears and hostility of the leading inhabitants of Honolulu, who assembled in mass meeting, denounced the contemplated measure, appointed a committee of public safety, which proceeded at once to organize their adherents into a military force. The queen, being alarmed at the magnitude and earnestness of the opposition, dismissed the nobles and diplomats, and from the balcony of the palace announced to her native adherents, who were clamoring for the new constitution, that she had been forced to postpone its promulgation, and later she issued a proclamation that no change would take place except by constitutional methods.

The committee of public safety, satisfied that she would embrace the first opportunity to carry out her cherished plan, began preparations, on January 16, for decisive action to put an end to the corrupt government. It being apparent that a revolution was impending,