New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-04-19
fBr TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIB"NE.1

FENDER AT LAST
fBr TELEGRAPH TO THE TRrBvSR1
Washington. April 1S.-The debate on the DIP
lomatic and Consular Appropriation OIL In the
House Of Representatives to-day took wide
range and was exceedingly lively and interesting.
The variety Of topics discussed IL partially shown
by this list: Hawaii. the Van Allen appointment,
Josiah Qulncys methods Of reforming the con-
sular service, the Wilson bill and the Finance
Committees action thereon. and counting a
quorum Every member present seemed 10 be
unusually alert and Interested. and the sitting
was enllvened by several sharp but amusing
passages between Democrats and RApuDlcans.
Mr. Hit did not realize yesterday how deeply
he wounding the keen but tender sensi-
biities Of the statesmen who sit on the east side
Of the central aisle or how much work he had
cut out for them to do in framing apologies. ex-
plantations which did not explain and arguments
which were neither strong nor responsive.
Ex-Speaker Grows speech in denunciation OF
the unpatriotic and un-American policy Of the
Administration in Hawaiian affairs was one OF
real eloquencc. and It was delivered with a fire
and energy which showed that age has not
dmmed his bright intellect enfeebled his
powers In striking contrast with 1t was the
weak apologize defence OF the Administration
by Colonel Hooker. OF Mississippi. who Is men,
Der Of the Committee or Foreign Affairs He
also attempted to explain and defend the Van
Allen appointment in doing 50 he pronounced
warm euogy upon Grover Cleveland, the purity
of whose motives he said could not be success
fully impeached. He also spoke in highest words
Of praise Of the unsofshness and dsinterested-
ness Of William C. Whitney. and declared that his
conduct IN relation to the Van Allen affair had
been most praiseworthy. Chairman McCreary
also took up the cudgel in defence Of the Ad-
minlstration. and in strong language declared
that the conduct Of everybody concerned in the
Van Allen affair was marked by the highest de-
gree of honor and purity Of intention. Governor
McCrearys ponderOus words and manner did
not seem 70 produce very deep impression and
his assertion that the official career OF Josiah
Quincy as Assistant Secretary Of State had been
marked by "faithfulness and efficiency" did not
seem to win very general approval even on the
Democratic side When Governor McCreary at
tackled the motives of President Harrison in APP
pointing John Wanamaker Postmaster-G General
he made a mistake which he did not discover or
realize until Mr.. Adams. Of Pennsylvania, took
the floor in defence Of that appointment as one
that was eminently fit and suitable.
Mr. Coombs Of Brooklyn who is deeply inter
ested as a business man in the consular service,
Josiah Quincy's "fathfulness and efficiency"
on the contrary. ne sharply criticised the con-
duct Of that eminent "reformer." and deplored
the policy which had controlled appointments in
the consular service under the present Admins
traton.
Mr.. Qugg. Of New-York. followed Mr.. Coombs.
and from that timc forward the proceedings were
more lively and interesting than ever. His racy
and pointed replies 10 questions asked by Messrs.
Hooker, of Mississippi, and Enloe of Tennessee,
showed that he IL no mean antagonist in col
loquial debate and his keen thrusts were highly
enjoyed and warmly applauded by the RepubIi-
cans He first ENDORSED the gallant Colonel
Hooker who ha / incautiOusly asked him, How
he got here him Sclf?' and who quickly retired
from the field IN silent discontinue "Oh. I'll
tell you how | got here myself" responded Mr..
Quigg and he proceeded 10 do so in a few terse
sentences every one Of which sped like a bullet
to its mark. The answer was complete and con-
elusive, but Mr.. Enioe's curiosty was not yet
and after some ill-tempered remarks
about Mr. Quigg's manners he wanted 10
know If that gentleman had not promised TO
Kill the Wilson bill If elected to Congress Mr..
Quiggs reply 10 this was as categorical and
complete as that to the first question and 1t
must have been satisfactory to the questoner,
for he heard no more.
After this Mr.. Reed remarked that several
things seemed to have been settled-fOr example,
that William c. Whitney is a good man. and
that Grover Cleveland is great and good man
and he now trusted that somebody would eX-
plain to the House why Van Allen was appointed.
He did not get an answer then or subsequently.
and his curiosity therefore remains ungrathed
to this hour. Mr. PigOtt of Connecticut. did
have the temeriy TO suggest A comparison be-
tween the appointment of Van Allen by Presi
dent Cleveland and that of T. Jefferson Coolidge
by President Harrison. but he repented OF so
doing before General COgswell. of Massachu-
setts had finished his defence OF the latter APP