The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-01-12
BLOUNT TAKES THE STAND.
He Tells the Senate Committee Of His
Mission to Hawaii.

ness Denies That There Was Any
Partially in His Investigation, But
Is Not Inclined to Give ANY Ex-
PLANTATION of His Acts.
Washington, Jan. 11.-Contrary to pre-
vious announcement. ex-Commissioner
Blount was before the Senate committee
which is investigating the relations of
this country with Hawaii under the reso-
luton of Senator Morgan. The COM
mittee had at first requested
MIR. Blount to appear on Fri
day, but for some reason there
was a change of programme, and he was
summoned for to-day. The efforts of the
committee were directed more to securing
an explanation from Mr.. Blount of his
various acts while in Honolulu than to
obtaining from him an accurate account
of his mission, Of which the COM
mittee was already sufficiently informed
through his official report. The ex-
PLANTATION, necessarily, however, involved
direct allusion to, and in some in
stances full account of his proceedings
He told briefly of his appointment on
March II, 1898, by the President as COM
missioner to investigate the condition OF
affairs on the Hawaiian Islands, which
had been developed by the revolution of
last January.
BASIS FOR BLoUNT's APPOINTMENT.
This revolution, together with the part
the American troops had taken in connec-
tion with it, the fact that the American
minister had established an American
protectorate over the islands and that a
provisional government had been formed
and was seeking to have the islands an
nexed to the United States, had decided
the President to have the whole matter
Investigated by some one who had no con-
nection with these occurrences, and he
had been selected for this mission.
This statement brought out one point
in the inquiry which the resolution under
which the committee is acting contem-
plated should be developed fully The
resolution provides for an investigation
into the regularity of the diplo-
matte relations of this country
with the Hawaiian Islands, and
1t was intended especially to cover the
much discussed point of MIR. Blount's
appointment as special paramount com
missioner without the consent of the Sen
ate to government to which the United
States was already represented by reg
ularily constituted representative. Mr..
Blount, of course, considered the appoint
ment as within the bounds of propriety
and precedent.
LANDING OF THE TROOPS.
The examination of Mr.. Blount also
went into the various questions concern
ing the landing of the American troops
during the revolution and his rea-
sons for concluding that there had
been conspiracy to dethrone
the and aDnaY fc1anHo
to the United States. 1t is understood
that he was also reminded of the charge
that his investigation had been partial,
and that his report showed upon its face
that he had been prejudiced against the
annexation from the beginning This,
Mr. Blount said, was untrue, and he con-
tended that his report was impartial
and the investigation made without preju-
dice or favor.
NOT DEFENDING HIS REPORT.
When asked by the chairman whether
he desired to make statement concern
ing his report or upon any questions bear
ing upon Hawaiian affairs, Mr. Blount re-
piled that he did notcare to add ANYTHING
to what he had said He had not. he
said, come before the committee to defend
his report, but TO answer any questions
which might be put TO him by the COM
mittee.
MIR. Blount was examined in regard TO
statements previously made by the Ha-
waiians to the effect that his examination
had been partial, and that his method of
conducting ii had been apparently in the
direction of obtaining information against
the provisional government, and in
favor of the royalists. To this he re-
piled that he took the testimony in his
own way and acted upon his own iudg-
ment. He had been selected TO make
this examination and giveL entire
authority to conduct IL in any manner he
saw fit, and to obtain the most accurate
and best information concerning the revo-
luton. When asked if there was any
ground for the complaints he referred TO
the fact that he had published in Hawaii
his desire to obtain all the information
possible, and that if the men who think
themselves aggrieved had not submitted
their matters TO him IL was no fault of
his.
sECRETIvE METHODS
There was some conversation about the
secretive methods which Mr.. Blount en-
ployed in collecting his information by
having none but himself and a stenogra-
pher present. and the witnesses not being
prepared to make a complete statement.
Mr. Blount again replied that it was
part of the authority he exercised, and
he thought best.
1t was evident that Mr.. Blount was de-
termined not to allow the committee TO
have any advantage over him, and that
he still held that his position as special
commissioner did not give the Senate the
right TO question his procedure while
acting with authority not conferred
by the Senate. Throughout the whole
examination this morning there was this
feeling and while Mr.. Blount was willing
to give the committee all the facts in his
possession, which had not been laid be-
fore them, he quietly resented any at
tempt to question his authority TO act as
he did, or his method Of procedure.
VERY LITTLE INFORMATION OBTAINED.
The committee was compelled TO admit
that very little information mad been OBJ
tanned from Mr. Blount, and that little
further light had been thrown on the sit
uation in Hawaii.
To many Of the questions Mr.. Blount
courteously referred TO his report and
showed that the fact was duly set forth
in the papers submitted and in possession
of the Senate.
At the conclusion Of the examination Of
Mr.. Blount, he had long conference In
the committee room with Senator Nor
gan, chairman Of the committee, and who
mainly conducted the examination.
Three Killed at Mill.