Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-03-09

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concluding of his Hawaiian mission, both
of which occurred in 1888 Mr.. Biount
leaves widow and four children, one of
which, Joseph Blount, is connected with
the interstate commerce commission in this
city. The others are Judge James H. Blount
of the court Of first instance at large, in the
Philippine Islands, Mrs Walter D. Lamar
of Macon, and ar unmarried daughter, Fan
ME.
His Political Career.
Mr.. Blount was born at Macon, September
IL, 1887. He was elected to the Forty-thrd
Congress, Of which James G. Blaine was
serving his third and last term as Speaker.
He retired voluntarily after twenty years
service. Mr.. Blount's retirement was marked
by an unusual scene in the House. From
the first he had served on important COM
mitteeS, his first committee assignment be-
ing to the appropriations committee.
He was chosen by Speaker Reed to sue
coed Mr.. Randall on the rules committee
he was maze CHAIRMAN OF the post once
and post roads committee and later of the
foreign affairs committee. 1t was as chair
man Of this committee in charge of the dip
lomatic and consular appropriation bill,
which was passed just prior to his retire
ment, that the unexpected tribute was paid
to his legislative services.
Representatives Holman Of Indiana inter-
rupted the proceedings to say that he wish
ed to congratulate Mr. Blount and his col
leagues on the committee for having
brought in an appropriation bill which was
SO perfect in all of it's details as to receive
the unanimous approval OF the committee
of the whole. But this is not uncommon
with bills reported to the House by the
gentleman from Georgia." continued Mr..
Holman. THE House has become accustom-
ed to pass bills reported by him without
controversy. 1t must be gratifying to my
friend from Georgia to know that 1t is
taken for granted by the House that a bill
reported by him has undergone the severest
scrutiny in every detail and that no con-
sideration whatever has been taken into ac-
count except the interest of the public
service"
On His Retirement.
Mr. Holman then referred to the retire.
ment of Mr.. Blount in words of regret. He
has been a member Of this House." he con-
tinued, "for an unusually long period of
time, serving for ten successive Congresses
twenty years. There are but two other in
stances Of the kind, II my memory is cor
rect, in our legislative history Of the last
twenty years-the gentleman from Missouri,
Mr.. Bland, and the gentleman from Penn
sylvania. Mr.. ONeill-and but few instances
of so long and continuous service In the
history Of Congress.
II am certain I speak the general senti-
ment Of the House when I say that the
retirement Of Mr. Blount from the high
position he has so long held as legis-
lator in the Congress Of the United States
takes from this body one of the most able
careful, laborious and upright~ legislators
known to our time, and one OF the most
conscientious and honorable gentlemen who
have figured in the affairs Of our govern
ment during the past twenty years; and 1
feel sure, sir, that he will carry with him
to his retirement, or to other public duties,
If In the future he shall assume such
duties, the respect, the confidence and the
esteem of all Of the members of this great
body of men representing the American
people, and that a general wish will fol-
low him in the circle of his home or in
whatever sphere of life he may occupy in
the future for his continued prosperity and
happiness"
Mr.. Hit of Illinois, the present chair
man Of the committee on foreign affairs,
followed Mr.. Holman. He related that he
had served for ten years with Mr.. Blount
and concurred in all that had been said by
Mr.. Holman. II will mark most Of ALL
continued Mr.. Hit, that patriotism above
party inspired him in this House when
last year. leading a great committee
| charged to consider the affairs and inter-
ests not Of party, but Of a whole ma
ton, embroiled In sharp dispute with a
foreign power he arose with the occa sion
| and proved himself first and altogether a
| patriot-an American, so that a foreigner
| looking down from the gallery upon this
| hall could never have told whether he was
| a republican or a democrat, but would
have known that he was in every fiber an
! American"
Mr.. Bland also paid a high tribute to the
retiring member, as did Mr.. ONeill, who
| said he had but one fault to find with Mr.
Blount, and that was that he was retiring
| and depriving the country. Of his services
| at too early an age in life, being then but
| fifty-hve years old. Mr.. Springer and Mr.
| McCreary then each followed with other
words of praise, when Mr. Blount made &C.
| acknowledgement of the tribute in the fol.
! lowing words:
Mr.. Blount's Acknowledgment.
"Mr Chairman, the circumstances which
surround me are unexpected. I was totally
| unprepared for such a manifestation OF
kindness and good will on the part of those
| with whom 1 have been associated Nearly
! twenty years ago l came into this House
and soon fell on a committee. that of ap-
preparations, headed by the great patrio.
and eminent statesman, Samuel ]. Randall
| Of Pennsylvania, with the distinguished
| gentleman from Indiana, Mr.. Holman as
| second among his associates. It was there
1 imbibed my first impression with refer
| ence to the proper expenditures Of this
| great government which gave direction ia
most of my subsequent career
! 1T was with profound gratitude my heart
| went forth toward the eminent gentleman
| from Indiana, Mr.. Holman, who for more
! than a quarter of century has written
| upon the records of legislation his service
:, to this country which makes his name i'm.
mortal. Ny friend from Illinois. Mr., HIT