Grand Rapids herald. [volume] (Grand Rapids, Mich.) 1892-1959, 1893-12-12
IS BAD FOR BL0uNT
Not Being an Officer He Had
No Right
IN TIE HAwAllAA nkTTtRs
Law csssd IN which He fzAs Laid
Iiim@~sf Liable - IL Charge
of Co~nsssins Tpsasaa-
IN The HAwAllAA nkTTtRs

WA<Kixorox. Dee 1l--Hss James II.
Biount been guilty q = crime against
the sxiszsncs u the govern y at - do
iinsd IN chapter Il tbs penal ststutssf
There are number Of eminent ssnsfors
learned In the law Who think that be
ha< Nr. Blcunt when h Hawaii held
his . fkcc unknown 10 the Law He vss
particularly designated In a onaciai
communication q the president - my
personal Representatives" HE name
vas never seat 10 the senate Tor Its con-
sideration In eonnecfion With any ofice
The senate hss never advised o. con-
seated to bis appointment to al once
SO Tar a. the statutes Of the United
States 20. he was private eitizcn when
he sas Ia Hawaii In his capacity a.
private citizen under the law he engaged
In correspondence with . foreign gov
ernnent which In the opinion OF the
most eminent senators who have been
considering the subject. IL within the
meaning % the statutes criminal The
subject will undoubtedly be called to
the attention Of the senate ct en early
day.
Tho Law Cited
1t IL claimed that Mr.. Blount. not
having been an officer known 10 the
Law. and not having been confirmed by
the senate 10 Any diplomatic position. OF
10 a position Of any sort. 10 his con-
mcnt comes within the dctinition and
the penalties OF section 5335. United
States statutes. in the chapter On
a. A E~4~<.<a- ri thu
Government That section 10 as follows:
Every citizen OF the United States.
whether actually residing or abiding
within the same. or In any foreign
country. who. without the permission or
authority Of the government directly or
indirectly. commences or carries on any
verbal or written correspondents or in
tercourse with any foreign government
OF any officer or agent thereof with an
intent 10 influence the measures ar con-
dner OF any foreign governn,snt Or
% any officer or agent thefeof, m
relation 10 any disputes ~ COO
trpversies with the United StstsA or de-
feat the measure Of the goyesument Of
the United States. and every pe9ecn. be-
ing citizen Of. or resident wHhip the
United States. and not duly authorized,
WHO Cuta uta41<s aaNt@c@s OF 8oont9 ~ aAI
such correspondence. with such intent
shall be punished with q bne OF not
more than 5000 and by imprisonment
during term not less than six months
nor more than three years. Hut moth
ing 10 this section shall be construed 70
abridge the right Of citizen to apply.
himself or his agent. to any foreign gov
ernment. or the agents thereof for re-
dress Of an injury which he may have
sustained from such government or any
Of is agents or subjects"
Cieveland's Rights Defined
IL will 10 claimed that President
Cleveland has no authority without the
consent and advice Of the senate to act
az the representative Of this government
TO foreign country. and that Mr..
BIount was not duly authorized 20 con-
duct the correspondents described by
this statute. and did % as private
citizen Of the United States and is con-
sequentiy subject to the penalties Of the
statute quoted ~
Secretary Gresham said . gentle
man who comes in daily contact with
HIM, goes almost In frenzy when any
suggestion IL made 10 him about Hawaii.
Ii - fact that every mail and dispatch
from San Francisco 10 dreaded The
plans OF the administration have wholly
nliscarried. and il is not clear either to
the president or to Judge Gresham what
will he done"