The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-02-05
HIGH HONORS TO BLOUNT
MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE SOUND
HIS PRAISES.

His 5 approaching Retirement the Oc-
casion for Eulogistic Speeches-A
Similar Honor Never Before Paid a
Member of the House-The Diplo-
matic and Consular Appropriation
Bill Passed.
WASHINGTON. Feb. 4-Tn the House this
morning Mr.. Hatch reported back the anti
option bill, with the Senate amendments,
and it was referred 90 committee of the
whole. The same reference was made of
the agricultural appropriation bill, which
was also reported by Mr.. Hatch.
The House then, in committee of the
whole, with Mr.. Batch in the chair, pro-
ceeded to consideration Of the diplomatio
and consular appropriation bill.
There was no general debate and the
bill was read for amendment. Mr.. Hermann
of Oregon occupied the time Of the House
for half minute on an amendment abol-
ishing the position of consul general at
Honolalu. He presented this amendment,
he said. in view Of the fact that in a short
time there would be no necessity for a con-
sui general at Honolulu. His state was
deeply interested 10 the situation of affairs,
and Its legislature had adopted a resolution,
which he had read, in favor Of annexation.
Having emphasized this feeling he with
drew his amendment.
The reading Of the bill was completed.
Tributes TO BLOUNT.
Then the COMMITTEES was the stage-setting
of a scene which is unparalleled in the annals
of congress. Unknown to Mr.. BlOunt,
chairman Of the committee on foreign
affairs, his associates on the floor had de-
,n1& &r, 4 LEvV, nv,A Nhawy 4 AgT,
No man retiring from public life ever left
1t with such en- expression of deep regret as
does Mr.. Blount, who, at the end of the
present session, ends a service or twenty
years In the House. Mr.. Holman was the
first to do him honor. He spoke Of the
ability which had been shown by Mr..
Blount as legislator and patriot, and 81
regret on the part Of the
gentlemen here that the distinguished
gentleman now retires from legislative
duties voluntarily and seeks the peace Of
his own fireside and home. | feel assured
that speak the general sentiment Of every
member when say that the retirement Of
Mr.. Blount from the high position in con-
gress takes from legislative duties one Of
the most conscientious and upright legis-
lators and gentlemen who has ever figured
ID our affairs and feel assured that he
will carry with him the respect and CON-
f1dence aud esteem of every gentleman
comprising this great House, and that
general wish will follow him for his future
happiness and prosperity" [Appiause]
GOOD WORD FROM HIT.
Mr. Hit of Illinois. speaking for the
minority, indorsed every word that MIR.
Holman uttered. He had served with the
honorable, able aud distinguished gentle
man from Georgia for ten years, and he
could not see the tine approach for his re-
tirement without saying a word in regard
to the patriotism, ability and broad views
which had controlled the action of the gem
teman in this House. In his consideration
of public questions MIR. Blount had been a
patriot and not partisan. LApplause.
Foreigners in the galleries would not knoow
whether the gentleman was democrat or
a republican [Applause.1
MIR. Bland said that be remembered we'll
when he met Mr.. Blount IN the Forty-third
congress He (Mr. Bland was then a young
man-he hoped he was so still. Laughter
The gentleman from Georgia like himself
was much younger than he was now for
that with shade of sadness) was twenty
years ago. From that time TO the present
they served together In this House. 1hey
had seen many exciting scenes. They had
been called upon TO pass in Judgment on
many measures and he was pleased to say
that on most of these occasions his vote had
gentleman from Georgia. he trusted that
his future would find an opportunity TO
avail itself Of the ability and patriotism Of
the gentleman from Georgia. Applause.
Mr.. O'Neill, rep, of Pennsylvania said
that he had one fault to find with Mr..
Blount. He was amazed that a man of the
gentleman's youth [laughterl would volun-
tarily relinquish a seat in the House Of
Representatives of the United States.
Laughter
Mr. Springer added HIS tribute of re-
spect Mr.. Blount left the House with the
regret of all, and it was to be hoped that
the country would hereafter find necessity
for his service. [Applause.1
Mr.. McCreary desired to place on record
his tribute Of respect and admiration Of the
chairman of the foreign affairs committee.
BLOUNT REPLIES.
Mr.. Blount was visibly moved when he
rose to respond to the expression of friendly
feeling Of his colleagues He paid glow
ing tribute to the memory Of Samuel J.
Randall and to the speakers who had hon.
ored him. "If desired fame,n concluded
Mr.. Blount, 'if my heart was fred with
ambition, in this presence | wish TO say that
In the last few minutes there has been
written a chapter in the history
of this House that which brings
to me and my wife and children
at home and to my friends
who have followed me, a sense Of its conse-
quence which will outlast and outweigh any
office in the gift of the state or federal gov
ment." [Applause.]
AS Mr.. Blount took his seat he was
warmly congratulated and applauded. He
was for the remainder Of the day the re-
oipient of congratulations for being the
first member of the House who has ever re-
oeived such tribute Of regard and esteem
from bis colleagues.
After this episode the committee rose and
the bill was passed.
The military academy appropriation bill
was then passed without division
Public business was then suspended to
enable the House to pay tribute to the late
J. W. Kendall Of kentucky. After re-
marks by Messrs. McCreary, Paynter,
Caruth, Bum, G. W. Stone of Pennsylva-
mia, Mckinney. Smith of Illinois, Weaver,
Wilson of Kentucky. and Belknap, the
House, at $3.50 O'Clock, out OF respect to the
-. /