The herald., 1893-02-05
Mr. BLOUNT'S BRIGHTEST HOUR
Compliments Paid a Deserving
Congressman.
A Distinguished Member About to
Leave the House.
His Colleagues Bespeak Place for
Him in Clevelsnd's Cabinet.
House and Senate
Proceedings.
By the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press
WASHINGTON, Feb. A remarkable
and unprecedented scene was enacted in
the house today. II was a tribute to
Blount OF Georgia, who retires from con-
gress at this session. When considera-
tion of the diplomatic bill had been
completed, Holman, the Democratic ia
ther OF the house, rose and expressed
sincere regret that the association OF 20
years was to be severed. O'Nsill OF
Pennsylvania, the Republican Nestor,
endorsed every word of the high eulogi-
um which Holman had uttered, and
Hit, Bland, Springer and McCreary
added their need of praise to the ability
and patriotism of the retiring member;
and through the speeches was vein
running in the direction of Blount's pro-
motion to the cabinet.
Blount was profoundly moved. In
few words he responded to the remarks,
and declared whatever the future had in
store for him, he would ever look back
to this hour as the brightest hour of his
life.
The anti-options bill was referred to
the committee of the whole.
The house then proceeded to consid-
GRAFTON of the diplomatic and consular
appropriation bill.
The diplomatic and consular appro-
priation bill was passed, Hermann of
Oregon taking occasion to make few
remarks on the subject of Hawaiian an
nexation and having read resolutions
adopted by the legislature of his state
in favor of annexation.
The military academy bill then passed
and after memorial services in honor of
the late ]. W. Kendall of Kentucky the
house adjourned.
SENATE PROCEEDINGS.
In the senate today, on motion of
Sherman, the presidents message OF
Thursday laet concerning the transpor-
tation of merchandise over the Can
adian railroad was referred to the COM
mittees on foreign relations and inter-
state commerce.
The senate then took up the house
bills on the calendar. Without action,
however, this order of business was in
terrupted to permit the judiciary COM
mittee to report a new bill to submit
the McGarrshan claim to the court OF
private claims.
The senate then resumed considera-
ton of the house bills on the calendar,
and passed a number of them. The
order was closed just as the quarantine
bill was reached. Harris asked unani-
nous consent to take it up Monday
morning. This would interfere with
Hills notice that he would move to take
up the bill to repeal the Sherman act at
that time. Teller gave notice that if
Hills motion prevailed, there would be
no further business at this session, ex-
cept passage of appropriation bills.
The house bill to ratify the agreement
with the Oherokees for the cession of
their intereet in the outlet lands and
appropriating over $8,50O,O to carry it
out, was passed in the shape Of substi-
tute.
Morgan introduced resolution, which
was agreed to, requesting the president
to send the senate draft OF the snnexa-
ton treaty negotiated in 1854, but not
completed, between the plenipotentia-
ries of the United States and the king
dom of Hawaii, with the correspondence
between the two governments relating
to the negotiations.
Memorial proceedings in memory OF
Gamble of South Dakota, Ford of Michi-
d,
late members of the house, were then
held.
Adjourned.
SILVER PURCHASE REPEAL BILL.
The advocates of the repeal of the Sher-
man bullion purchase act in the house,
today continued the circulation of the
petition in favor of q cloture amend
ment to the rule for the consideration of
the Andrew-Cate bill. All the Demo-
Gratis from New York except Cummings
signed it. He wants more time to think
over the matter. The number of sigma
lures obtained thus far falls con-
siderably short of majority
OF the Democrats of the house, and
apprehensions are felt that it will be
impossible to obtain the desired major
ity. A number of signatures can be OBJ
tanned if assurances will be given that
some compromise measure will be SUBJ
stituted for the present law and leave no
other act for furnishing continued
addition to the circulating medium in
it's place. Missionary work among
the Republican members of the
house has begun. An anchor has
been cast to windward by the
Democrats in favor of the repeal.
and efforts are being made to get most
of the Republicans in line on an agree
ment to support the Democrats in vot-
ing down the previous question on the
order reported by the rules committee,
then voting in favor OF the cloture in
case it is found the same result can not
be reached by securing the signatures of
majority of the Democrats to the petit
tions in circulation. 1t is believed if the
Republicans will give cordial. fair and
united support they, with the repeal
Democrats, will constitute majority Of
the house.
HARTER'S BILL OF LADING.
The senate today passed the house
Harter bill relating to bills of lading,
after amending it so as to materially al
ter its construction, as passed by the
senate. 1t is made unlawful to insert
in the bill of lading of any vessel any
kind OF clause reliving it from liability
for damage arising from negligence or
failure in proper loading or delivery of
merchandise committed to its care, or
to release vessel on account of not be-
ing eeaworthy. The bill Of lading pro-
vision does not apply to live stock, and
any refusal to issue the bill OF lading
prescribed in the bill is punishable by
fine of not more than $1,000.
THE WHISKY TRUST INQUIRY.
The investigation into the whisky