Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-04-28
HA M MOND'S CASE.
Resolution to Protect the American
Sentenced to Death.
A LIVELY DEBATE IN THE HOUSE
The Picker General Pension Bill
Passed Today.
NAVAL APPROPRIATIONS

Under the special order adopted yester-
day the vote On the passage of the Pickler
pension bill was taken in the House today
Immediately after the reading of the jour-
nal.
The bill was passed, 1874.
The republicans and populists voted solid
ly for the measure, and the democrats,
with six exceptions, voted against it. The
six democrats were Fitzgerald of Massa-
chrsetts; Sorg of Ohio, Cummings Of New
York. Walsh of New York. Downing of
Illinois. and Layton Of Ohio.
There was great pressure for unanimous
consent legislation after the announcement
of the VOTE and quite number of minor
bills were passed before the regular order
was demanded. among them bill to re-
store the lands embraced in the Fort Lewis
military reservation, Colorado, to the public
domain.
The Case of Hammond.
At 1 80 pm. MIR. Mahany IN. " created
furry by asking for the immediate con-
sderation of the following resolution:
Resolved by the House of Representa-
tives, That whereas the cable report an
nounces that John Hays Hammond, ether
wise described Eugene Hammond. an
American citizen. has been condemned to
death for treason in the TrauSvaal, the
Secretary of State take immediate action
to safeguard the interests of said Ham,
mond and exert the friendly offices of the
department in his behalf if the Secretary
of State. in his judgment, deems such
interposition advisable"
Mr.. Bartlett IN. " asked if the reso-
luton had been considered by the foreign
affairs committee.
Mr.. Mahany explained in reply the ur-
and death. Hammond might be executed
under the sentence at any time. and any
delay might be fatal.
us not the Secretary of State competent
TO deal with the situation?" asked Mr.
Bartlett.
Certainly" replied Mr. Mahany. "But
the case might escape his attention. With
the House Of Representatives behind him
he can proceed vigorously. | desire to
say in this connection" he added, that
the whole power of English diplomacy is
being employed to safeguard the interests
of the subjects of the queen who are being
tried at Pretoria Some one will be made
the scapegoat CT this affair. / do not
propose to attempt TO shield any American
| from the just consequence of his act but
| am determined that an American shall
not be made Scapegoat.
Are you member of the foreign affairs
committee?" asked Mr.. Bartlett.
Il am not. but L am member Of this
House and have a right to seek the pro-
lection of an American citizen anywhere
on the globe" (ApplauseD
II desire to say" interposed Mr.. Hill
Comm at this point, that some time ago.
at the request OF some of my constituents,
l wrote the Secretary of State regarding
this case and received the usual American
reply to the effect that the interests Of
American citizens in the Transvaal were
being guarded by the English government.
1 think it high time" he continued, en-
phatically, that the American government
protected the interests of it's own citizens"
prolonged applause)s
Mr.. McCreary (Ky). ex-chairman of the
foreign affairs committee, thought the
! State Department would take such steps
as were necessary for the protection of
from the House. If congressional action
were necessary the foreign affairs commit
tee, he thought. could be relied upon to
promptly report the matter to the House.
He therefore objected. Mr. Mahany dis
claimed any purpose Of rejecting on the
State Department, and appealed to Mr..
HIT chairman of. the foreign affairs COM
| mittee. who had Just entered the hall, to
objection of Mr.. McCreary prevented fur
Their discussion. The resolution was then,
at MIR. Mahany's request, referred to the
foreign affairs committee.
Mr.. Quackenbush's Case.
Mr.. Hepburn Qowa) called up the bill to
authorize the President to retire John M.
Quackenbush as commander of the
navy. The beneficiary of the bill was court
martialed and dismissed from the service
| in 1871 on charges of excessive intoxication.
1t was claimed that the order Diminishing
him from the service was a mistake; that
the sentence Of the court only contemplated
his suspension.
On rising vote the bill was passed 50
to 49, Mr.. Sayers CTex.) demanded the ayes
and nays.
The vote resulted 1913
The Speaker announced the appointment
OF Mr.. Ellet of Virginia as a member of the
committee on merchant marine and fisher
les.