The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1894-01-12
BLOUNT ON THE STAND.
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THE Ex-ooMMIssIoEER BEFORE
THE COMMITTEE.
He Tells Of His Appointment BY the
President and Of the Flag
Incident,
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THE EXCITED CONDITION OF THE PRO-
PIE DEPICTED.
The Pacific Mail steamer, City Of reEin, Ez.
pected With Advicss From Honolulu
Other Hawaiian News.

WASHINGTON, January ll--contrary 10
previous announcement Ex-commissioner
B|ount this morning was before the senate
committee which is investigating the reia-
t'ors OF this country with Hawaii. unlar
the resolution OF Senator Morgan. sena-
tor Frye Is regarded as the special cham
pion on the committee OF ex-allnister Ste
vens, who, 1t had been supposed, would
be pleased 10 have an opportunity to be
examined.
MI Blount appeared soon after 10 o'clock
the hour of meeting but excused him
self for a time to attend a meeting OF the
senate committee on commerce. Mr..
Dolph sat with the subcommittee.
the efforts OF the committee were az
reoted more To securing an explanation
IRON MI, Blount OF his various acts whine
IN Honolulu than Ia obtaining from hin,
an accurate account OF his mission. of
which The committee was already suf-
| hciently informed through his official
report. The explanation necessary. how
ever, involved direct Illusion 10 ana IN
some Instances full account OF his pro-
ceedings He told briefly of his appoint
ment ON the llth OF March 1899, by the
! president us special commissioners to inves-
| tigate the condition OF affairs on tho Ha-
waiian Islands, which had been developed
\ by the revolution OF mast january This
! revolution, together with the part the
American troops had taken In Connection
with IL. the fact that the American min
ister had established an American pro-
tectorate over the islands and thar q pfu-
vislonal government had been formed and
was seeking 10 have the Islands annexed
\ TO the United States, had advised the pres
ident 10 have the whole matter lnvcsti-
| gated 10y some one who had no connection
| with the occurrences, and he had been Se-
lected for this mission
| Mr.. Dlount said he considered the APP
pointment as within the bounds OF pro-
pricty and precedent. The trip 70 the Is
land on the Rush the landing In Honolulu
on the Goth of Mnrch, and Mr.. fiiount's
reception By the people-both of these
questions were passed over without mem
ton almost, as WIS the fact that the an
Inexntionists and royalists were apparently
exceedingly anxious to make his stay IA
pleasant as possible
| The decision 10 have the American en-
sign taken down and the American snl-
oilers returned to the man-of-war was not
reviewed.
Mr. Blount said that he found the is.
lands and government under control or
protection OF the United states troops.
The American nag floated over the gov
crnment building in which the officers OF
the provisional government conducted
their business EVERYWHERE was noticed
the influence OF this country upon the
people of the islands. II was evident. Dir.
3lount said that It would be dinioult to
secure an impartial account or opinion
luninhueneed by the surroundings. as long
as this stote of affairs continued. Couse-
auently he decided on the alst OF March,
two days after his arrival that In accord
ance with the spirit Of his instructions
and IN the interest OF fair play, that the
Nag should be taken down and American
troops removed.
or this decision he informed President
pole. ana the following day the ISL OF
April. ended the temporary protectorate
and he had the nag lowered. This pro-
ceedng he defended as within the scope
of his mission and as an entirely proper
proceeding under the circumstances. SUD
| seauent events, he said proved that me
presence OF American troops was not nee
egsary TO preserve order or protect tlle
life and property OF either Americans or
| natives $50. -.
went into various questions concerning me
lIandinr OF the American troops during the
revolntiou and reasons for concluding that
| The act had been a conspiracy TO dethfone
4 the queen and annex the islahus y WV
/ United States.
He was reminded OF the charge that ms
| Investigation had been partal anu tna' pis
renort showed upon It's face that he mad
lbeen preiudioed against annexation from
| tho beginning This, Mr. Blount said. was
,ntr,,n. ana he contended that the report.
was impartial and investigation vas Win
out prejudice or favor.
Mr. Biount was examined In regard 70
the statement made by Hawailans to the
effect lhat his examination had been par
| tlal ana that his method OF conducting
| II Ind been apparently In the direction or
obtaining Information against the proyls-
ionai government and in favor OF the roy
ailsts. -,
TO this. he replied that he took testi-
monv IN his own way and acted upon ms
Judgment. He had been selected TO make
| this examination and had been given entire
aut,orIty 10 conduct II IN any manner he
saw NJ and 10 obtain the most accurate
and best Information concerning the reYr
olutlon. .,4 10
! Al the conclusion OF the examination OK
MIR. Blount he had q long conference "a
the committee room with Senator Morgan
Dfsnnfchcs from Minister Wills
washington. January n.--lnterest IN the
Hawaiian question conters In the DIS
ratches from willis by the Corwin, whieh
are in the hands OF the state department.
| Today Secretaries Gresham. Lamont anu
| Carlisle visited the White House ana were
| IN conference with Mr.. Cleveland
l ss.. nlnn roo