Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-02-05
THE 52D CONGRESS.
Tribute Paid TO Mr.. BlOunt---
Regular Proceedings.
ne telegraph ID the Dispatch.l

4 tDllit sltA w
Regular Proceedings.
rBy telegraph TO the Dispatch.l
WASHINGTON, ID. c., February An
the House This morning Mr.. Hatch re-
ported back the anti-option bill with tho
senate amendments, and 1t was referred
to the Committee OF the Whole. The
same reference was made of the agricul-
tural-apprOpriation bill, which was re-
ported 10y Mr.. Hatch, and the House
then in Committee OF the Whole (Mr.
Hatch in the chair proceeded to the con-
sideration of the diplomatic and consular
appropriation bill. There was no gene
raj debate, and the bill was read for
amendments.
Mr.. Herman Oregon occupied the
time of the House for half minute on
an amendment abolishing the position
OF Consul-General at Honolulu, Hawaii.
lIe presented this amendment, he said.
in view of the fact that in a short time
there would he no necessity for con-
sui general at Honolulu. His State was
deeply interested in the situation Of
affairs. and its Legislature had adopted
resolutions (Which he had ready in favor
of annexation. Having emphasized this
feeling, he withdrew the amendment,
and the reading Of the bill was COM
pleted.
A SCENE UNPARALLELED.
Then the committee was the stage
setting of scene which is unparalleled
in the annals Of Congress. Unknown to
Mr.. Bount, the chairman Of the Com
mittee on Foreign Affairs, his associates
on the floor had determined to do him
honor, and they did so. No man retiring
from public life ever left it with such an
expression Of deep regret as does Mr..
Blount, who at the end OF the present
session ends IA service OF 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 n
legislator and patriot, and said: 90
know that there is general regret-l
know that there is on the part OF gentle
men here-that this distinguished gem
tleman now retires from legislative duties
voluntarily and seeks the peace of his
own freside, and / feel assured that
speak the general sentiment of
every member when l say that the
retirement of Mr.. Blount from his high
position in Congress takes from leRisla-
tive duties one of the most conspicuous
and upright Legislators and gentlemen
who ever figured in our affairs. And
feel assured that he will carry with him
the respect and confidence and esteem of
all the gentlemen comprising this
great House. and that general wish will
follow him for his future happiness and
prosperity" Applause
SENTIMENT or REPUBLICANS.
Mr.. Hit tRepublican), of Illinois,
speaking for the minority, endorsed
every word that Mr.. Holman had ut
tered. He hal served with the honor
able, able, and distinguished gentleman
from Georgia for ten years, and he could
not see the time approach for his retire
ment without saying word in regard to
the patriotism, ability, and broad views
which had controlled the action of the
gentleman in this House. In his con-
sideration OF public questions Mr. Blount
had been a patriot ard not partisan.
Applause. I A foreiRnerin the galleries
would not know whether the gentleman
was Democrat or Republican. APP
plause
Mr. Bland said that he remembered
we'll when he met Mr.. Biount i'll the
Forty-third Congress. lie (Mr. Bland)
was then a young man. He hoped he
was so still. Laughter ! The gentle
man from Georgia, like himself, was not
much younger than he was now, for that
with q shade of sadness) was twenty
wears ago. From that time to the pres
emit they had served together In this
House. They has seen many exciting
scenes. They had been called upon to
pass Judgment on many measures, and
he was pleased TO say that on most OF
these occasions his vote had been en-
dorsed by the good judgment of the
gentleman from Georgia. He trusted
that the future would find opportunity to
avail itself of the ability and patriotism
of the gentleman from Georgia. lap
plause.
ONE FAULT FOUND.
Mr. O'Neil Republican,, OF Pennsyl-
vania. said that he had one fault to find
with MIR. Blount. He was amazed that
a man OF the gentlemau's youth laugh
teri would voluntarily relinquish O seat
in the House of Representatives OF the
United States. Laughter.
MIR. Springer added his tribute OF re-
spect. Mr.. Blount left the House with
the regret OF oil, and it was TO be hoped
that the country would hereafter find
necessity for his services. Applause
Dir. McCreary desired to place on re-
cord his tribute OF respect and admira-
ton for the chairman OF tie Foreign
Affairs Committee.
MB. BLoUNT's RESPONSE.
Mr.. Blount WAS visibly moved when
he rose to respond to the expression oil
the friendly feeling Of his colleagues.
He paid glowing tribute tothe memory
OF Samuel j. Randall and to the speakers
who had honored him. "If i desired
fame" concluded Mr.. Blount, eff my
heart was fired with ambition, III TINS
presence wish to say that in the last
few minutes there has been written
chapter in the history Of this House that
brings to me and my wife and children
at home, and to my friends who have
followed me, sense OF its consequence
which will outlast and outweigh any
Office in the gift OF the State or Federal
Government" Applause.
As MIR. Blount took his seat he was
warmly and earnestly spplauded, and
be WAS for the remainder OF the day the
recipient OF congratulations for being the
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