The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1896-04-29
HIGH T.Ms TO BEGIN.
The United States asked to Protect It's
Citizens Abroad.


Citizens Abroad.
Washington, April 2s.-The house to-
day passed the Pickler general pension
bill by a vote of 1877 to 81. The republi-
cans and populists voted solidly in IA
vor of the measure and the democrats
with six exceptions. solidly against 1t.
The section to which the bulk of the
opposition was directed provides that
veterans otherwise entitled to pensions
shall not be disqualified on account OF
prior service In the confederate army
provided they join forces 80 days be-
fore Lees surrender.
At 1:40 p. m. Mahaney, democrat
New York, created a furry by asking
for the immediate consideration of the
following resolution: Resolved, by
the house Of representatives that
whereas the cable report announces
that John Hays Hammond, otherwise
described as Eugene Hammond, an
American citizen. has been condemned
to death for treason in the Transvaal
the secretary of state take immediat,
action to safeguard the interests OF
said Hammond and exert the friendly
offices of the department I'm his behalf
IL the secretary of state in his tudg
ment deems such interposition advis-
able"
Bartlett democrat. New York. asked
IL the resolution had been considered by
the foreign affairs committee.
Mabaney explained in reply. the ur-
gency OF the case. 1t was a matter of
life and death. Hammond might be
executed under the sentence at any
time and any delay might be fatal
''1s not the secretary Of state compel
ent TO deal with the case?" asked Bart
lett.
Certainly" replied Mahaney, "but
the case might escape his attention
With the house of representatives be-
hind him he can proceed vigorously.
The whole power of English diploma
cy, he said. was being employed tc
safeguard the interests of the subjects
of the queen who are being tried al
Pretoria. Some one would be made the
scapegoat of this affair and he was de-
termined that an American shall not be
that man.
"Ahe you a member of the foreign af.
fairs committee?" asked Bartlett.
II am not, but I am a member Of this
house and have the right to seek the
protection of an American citizen any.
where on this globe. (Applause.)
II desire to say" interrupted Hill
republican. Connecticut. that some
time ago. at the request OF some of my
constituents. j wrote the secretary o.
state regarding this case and received
the usual American reply to the effect
that the interests OF Americans in the
Transvaal were guarded by the English
government. i think IL high time" he
continued emphatically. that the Am
erioan government protect the inter
ests OF its own citizens" (Prolonge6
applause.)
McCreary, democrat. Kentucky.
thought the state department would
take such steps as were necessary for
the protection of American interests
without Instructions from the house.
and he objected TO the resolution. Ma
haney dlsclaimed any purpose OF re-
fecting upon the state department and
appealed TO Hit. chairman Of the for
eign affairs committee. who had just
entered the hall to give his opinion on
the subject. but the opposition Of Nc
Creary prevented further discussion.
The resolution then. at Mahaney's re-
quest, was referred TO the foreign af-
fairs committee.
The bill authorizing the president TO
retire J. Nj. Quackenbush as command
er OF the navy was passed by vote OF
la 70 4s.