The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-02-28
{ DAILY, SO A YEAR
( SCENTS ACOPT.
[ WEEKLY, SL25A YEAR.
BLAIR GOING TO CHINA.
BE Is NOMINATED AND con-
FIRMRD FOR MINISTER.

All the Senators Had to Laugh When
They Read the Announcement of the
Appointment-An Crowded Around
AID Con Zretulatsd Him-He Has Ac-
cspted the Position.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 2L.-The President
to-day nominated Senator Henry w. BLAIR
Of New Hampshire to be minister to China.
The Senate to-day confirmed the nomina-
tions Of Henry W. Blair of New Hampshire
as envoy extraordinary and minister pleui-
potentiary to China; Truxtoa Beale OF
tin A. Knapp Of New York as inter state
commerce commissioner.
HOW THE NEWS WAS RECEIVED.
The Senate was getting into its usual
afternoon dullness when the Presidents
assistant secretary, PrIden, appeared at
the main door with q message from the
President. He handed the tissue paper
list OF nominations, which always ac-
companies message conveying nomina-
ttons, to Senator Stockbridge of Michi-
gan, who was standing near the door
Senator Stockbridge glanced at it and
smiled. Then be thought q moment, and
smiled till he laughed. Then he showed it
TO Senator Teller, and he laughed; to SEN
ator Mitchell, and he laughed, aud took it
over % Senator Blair, who was sitting in
his own SEE 3, on the corner OF the demo-
cratic side. Several senator's gathered
quickly. All laughed.
EVEN BLAIR HAD TO LAUGH.
Senator Blair glanced at the sheet care
leSsly. then he laughed too. He blushed
little aud turned aside, but all the senator's
insisted on shaking hands with him. He
mad to stand up to receive all the senator's
who crowded around him, democrats aud
republicans all coming forward as the news
spread over the chamber, and they ali
laughed as they came forward to shake
hands. Everybody in the press gallery
wanted to see that nomination Sheet then,
realizing that Senator Blair had been nonni-
mated for something. When the tissue
sheet reached the press gallery everybody
laughed there. The same thought occurred
to everybody who saw the nomination.
Senator Blair OF the educational bill was
going 30 the one country where he would be
thoroughly appreciated
THOUGHT OF HIS QUEER WAYS
Everybody thought, too, OF all Senator
Blair's queer ways and curious IDEAS, and
remembered how when the diplomatic
intimatsd that he would like all our minis
ters TO be raised to the rank Of ambassadors.
aud intimated likewise in his playful way
that he could not advocate 1t because be had
a personal interest Ia the matter. Senator
Blair spent the rest OF tho afteFnoou in res
ceiving congratulations, FOR In spite OF bis
crankfness he ID popular, except when he
modestly retired from the Senate chamber
while the Senate confirmed his nomination.
IS IL the custom with nominations Of sem
ators. without referring ii 10 committee.
A TRIVIAL ANNOYANCE.
II was trifie annoying TO him that when
Chairman Sherman, of che committee on
foreign relations, asked for an executive
session TO confirm Senator Blair's nomina-
tion bali an hour altar IL came In, Senators
Hale, Teller. Stewart, Dawes. and others
who did not want The consideration OF legis-
lation Interrupted at that time took the
usual course OF fighting the motion for an
executive session, even going to the extrems
OF requiring the yeas and nays. IL was
ordered, however, by a large majority. and
In executive session Senator Blair was con-
frmed with several compliments.
Senator Blair accepted she
Office this morning, when he called at tho
white house to tell the President what he
would do with IL, the offer having been
made TO him on Monday. Senator Blair
succeeds one Of the best OF the good men
appointed by President Cleveland TO the
diplomatic service, Gen. Charles Denby OF
Indiana, whoss record as minister to China
was so fine that President Harrison did nob
disturb him until be actually had to find q
place for Senator Blair.