New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-04-22
"MY SPECIAL COMMISSIONER"

Our brilliant contemporary, " nc New oih
Sun has anticipated a question relative Ia the
authority of Mr.. Blount which must certainly
BIO raised when Congress meets again. In
marked contrast with the policy Of General
Harrison. Mr.. Clevelands negotiations with
Hawaii are being conducted secretly. The
people are not permitted TO know what Is beng
done or what Is aimed at Mr. Blount was
aboard ship before it was officially admitted
that he was bound for Hawaii, and the only
intelligence that has reached the public as TO
the nature Of his instructions has been supplied
by the correspondents at Honolulu 1t seems
that Mr.. Cleveland gave Mr. Blcunt a letter
10 the Provisional Government OF Hawaii com
mcnding his intelligence and ability, accredit-
ing him as "my special commissioner" and
saving that Z" in all matters affecting relations
with the Government Of Hawaii his authority
is paramount
Paramount to whose? Presumably to Min
lister Stcvens's. Such certainly is the constrc-
ton which Mr.. Blount himself places on this
remarkable commission, and which he enforced
upon the Government Of Hawaii. lie preceded
10 inquire into Minister Stcvens's official con-
duct 10 dsavow it, most important particulars
and to assume the direction, not OF u specified
negotiation to a specified end, but Of the affairs
of the American Embassy generally. lie used
tho naval forces of the United States to haul
down the flag which at Mr.. StcvenSs suggestion
they had raised. and he sent them back t. their
vessels over the head Of an American Admiral.
This could not have been done without specific
order, from the President or Secretary Herbert
70 Admiral Skcrrctt for the officers Of the Navy
arc not under the direction Of any diplomatic
agent OF the Government. without such orders,
no matter what his rank or by whom COM
mi>sioned
The Hon. John l.. Stevens is tho Envoy
Extraordinary and Minister Plcnipoicntiary of
the United States to Hawaii, appointed by the
President by and with the advice and consent
of the Senate, according to law with duties
determined by Congress. Mr. Blount, accord
ing to the Presidents letter, is my special
commissioner Which, then, has paramount
authority? We d. net now question the power
Of the Executive to appoint, without consulting
tho Senate, special agents to obtain informa-
ton or to conduct negotiations in their first
stages, though that power is widely and plauSi-
bly, disputed. But how can it be made out
that cf his sole authority he can appoint dipl0-
matte officials with power paramount to that
of Minister-oilicials who can act in the name
| of the Government I" in all matters affecting
| relations with a Power in whose capital Min
lister Penipotentary resides? IF he can do
this he can as well send man to London as
the superior Of the American Ambassador; he
can have his Especial commissioner at every
capital, before whom the regularly appointed
and regularly confirmed diplomatic represent
ativcs of the Government must bow in SUBJ
missvc obedience.
What is Mr. BIount doing in Hawaii, any
how? II he is bigger than the Minister, how
big is he? If he is bigger than an American
Admiral, where is his growth to stop? What
law defines his paramount authority"? When
he has acted, who has acted? The Government
of Hawaii has offered to ccde its dominion ia
somebody. Is it to the people of the United
States or to "my special commissioner? Is
Secretary Gresham the lawyer who has advised
Mr.. Cleveland that his personal agents can be