The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-01-12
Mr.. BL0UNT EXAMINED.
THE PARAMOUNT COMMTSSfONER
BEFORE the COMMITTEE.
He Tells Why lie Was Appointed Commits
sioner to Hawaii aud Defends the
Acilon of President Cleveland.

previous announcement. ex-Commssioner |
Blount was before the Senate committee
which is now investigating Hawaiian af-
fairs under the resolution OF Senator Nor
gan. The committee had at first re-
quested Mr.. Blount to appear on Friday.
but for some reason there was Il change
of programme, and he was summoned for
to-day.
The efforts Of the committee were di-
rected more to securing an explanation
from Blount OF his various acts while in
Honolulu than to obtaining from him an
accurate account OF his mission, Of which
the committee was already sufficiently
informed through his official report. The
explanation necessarily, however, IN
volved direct alluslon TO and In some In
stances a full account OF his proceedings.
He told briefly OF his appointment on
March H. 1893, by the President as spe-
cial commissioner TO investigate the con-
dition Of affairs on the Hawaiian Islands
which had been developed by the reVoiu-
tion Of last January.
ms revouluon and the part the Amer
lean troops have taken in connection with
if. the fact that the American Minister
had established an American protcctoratc
over the islands and that a Provisional
Government had been formed ond WIS
seeking 10 have the islards al neNed %
the United States, had decided the Fresl-
dent TO have the whole matter inNeSu-
"a TED by some one who had no connection
with these occurrences, and he lad beeh
selected for this mission
III Much. M.oted Question.
This statement brought the committee
TO one point IN its inquiry when the
resolution un Ter which the committee ~
acting contemplated should be fuily ce-
ve.oped The resolution provides Tor m
ir.cs;igation into the reglllrity OF the
diplomatic relations OF this country WIN
the Hawaiian Islands. and it was intended
especially 10 cover the much-discussed
point of Mr.. Bounts appointment as
special paramount commissioner without
the consent of the Senate, to "A Govern
ment in which the United States was al
ready represented by a regularly con-
sttuted representative. Mr. Blount, or
course, considered the appointment as
within the bounds of propriety and pre-
cecent.
The examination of Mr.. Blount also
went into the various questions concern
ing the landing OF the American troops
during the revolution and his reasons
for concluding that there had been a
conspiracy to dethrone the Queen and
annex the Islands to the United states.
1t is understood that he was also re-
minded Of the charge that his inyestl-
cation had been partial and that his
report showed upon it's face that he
had been preiudiced against the annexa-
] tlon from the beginning. This' Mr.
| Blount said, was untrue. and he contend
ed that the report was impartial and the
investigation made without prejudice OF
favor.
Deni.s she Ch,rre - P'r'ia W.
When asked by the chairman whether
he desired TO make a statement concern
/ ing his report or upon any questions
/ 1r-aiia.i affairs, Nr. plohnt
replied that he did not care to add any
thing TO what he had said. He had not,
he said come before the committee TO de-
fend his report. but 10 answer any ques-
tions which might be put 10 him by the
committee. Mr.. BlOunt was examined III
! regard TO statements previously made Dy
1 the Hawaiians 20 the effect that his exam
ination had been partial, and that MS
methods Of conducting it had been appar-
entity In the direction OF obtaining inIor-
nation against the Provisional Govern
nent and in favor Of the royalists. TO
This he replied that he took the testimony
I'm his own way and acted upon his own
! judgment He had been selected TO make
this examination and given entire author-
| inv TO conduct It I'm any manner ne saw
1 III and 10 obtain the most accurate ana
best information concerning the reVoiu-
tion.
When asked If there was any ground lot
the complaints. ne referred to the fact
that ne had published In Hawaii his desire
TO obtain all information possible, ana
that if the men who think themselves
agcrieved had not submitted their matters
TO him 1t was no fault OF his
There was some conversation about the
secretiye method which Mr.. Blount en-
ploved in collecting his inormation by
having none but himself and stenoSrapher
/ present. and the witnesses not being pre-
! uared TO make a complete statement
AIr. Blount again replied that 1t was q
part of the authority he exercised ana
that he collected testimony In the manner
/ he thought best.
Mr. Hfount stood on His Report.
IT was evident that Mr.. Blount was
determined not to ALLOW the committee
| a. have anv advantage over him, and
! that he still held that his position as
| sn.cial commissioner did not give the
| senate the right 10 question his procedure
while acting with authority not conferred
| bv the Senate. Throughout the Whoie
| examination this morning there was inns
foplino and while Mr.. Blount was VIII
tho to give the committee all the facts
In his possession which had not been
laid before them, he quietly resented any
attempt to question his authority 10 act
as he did, or his method OF proceuules,
,rha committee was compelled to admit
that verv little information had been
ohtained from AIr. Blount, and that niue
further light had been thrown on the
situation In Hawaii. ~. D,o,,r,
oo,,rteously referred to his report anu
showed that the fact was duiy SET iolei al
in the papers submitted and In the pos
session Of the Senate. ,,,o,,,or
At the conclusion OF the examlnaano'' lslsaaoa
of Mr.. Blount he had ions ns conis NJ NJ
In the commttee-roon Win 1s ais,ae and