By the Lackawanna treaty, Laupepa was confirmed king, and Tamasese set by his side in the nondescript office of vice-king.

The compromise was not, I am told, without precedent; but it lacked all appearance of success.

To the constitution of Samoa, which was already all wheels and no horses, the consuls had added a fifth wheel.

In addition to the old conundrum, "Who is the king ?" they had supplied a new one, "What is the vice-king ?" Two royal lines; some cloudy idea of alternation between the two; an electorate in which the vote of each province is immediately effectual, as regards itself, so that every candidate who attains one name becomes a perpetual and dangerous competitor for the other four: such are a few of the more trenchant absurdities.

Many argue that the whole idea of sovereignty is modern and imported; but it seems impossible that anything so foolish should have been suddenly devised, and the constitution bears on its front the marks of dotage.
But the king, once elected and nominated, what does he become?
It may be said he remains precisely as he was.