Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-12-14
rHE CASE OF WILLIAM MATrHEwA
Assistant Secretary OF Ssase Whsrton's Reply
TO tho Commiaaionera, Ieffer.

Th6 CASE OF WnILAH AATTHGWA
Assistant sssrst.ry Of ssass wh.rson's Reply
to the Commissioners' Letter.
The Commissioner some days ago referred
the case Of William Matthews . subject Of
Great Britain, Who ct present 10 Al inmate Of
the work house and Of unsound mind, 70 the
STATE Department. with the inquiry whether the
British minister may be called upon to provide
for Matthews or for his return to England. -.
Acting Secretary VIM r. Whartoa replied TO
| says: at 10 proper 10 state that the govern
| ment Of the United States has no oonvsn-
| ton with any foreigp power providing for
the extension Of relief in this country
| to foreign paupers or destitute persons.
statute: 81 sss i pass tie
| ing At any port Of entry In the United States
| OF any foreign convict, iunatie. idiot or per-
| son liable to become q public charge.
The act approved March 8. 1891 Omitted
l0s4-SO entitled, An act in amendment to the
various acts relative to immigration and the
| importation Of aliens under contract or agree
ment to perform labor excludes from sdnis-
sion into the United States the same GLASSES Of
| for the return within one year Of
an alien unlavfully here, either at the
expense Of the person or persons,
vessel, transportation company or corporation
bringing such alien into the United States,
| or should this mot be practicable. at the sx-
pense Of the United States. 1t then declares
that any allen who becomes public charge
within ono year after his arrival in the United
States from causes existing prior to his land
ing therein shall be deemed to have come in
violation OF law end shall be returned a.
Aforesaid ~
your letter disclosss no facts In regard 70
the entry into the United States Of the person
to whom you refer, nor how long he has re-
sided in this country. While this complaint
sideration Of the Secretary Of the
Treasury pursuant to the act cited
yet 1t seems appropriate to state the position Of
TINS government with respect to the general
subject as we'll as that Of the Treasury Depart
ment prior to the law of March 8, 1891.
applications have frequently been made to
this department. by state and municipal author
tiles In various parts of the country to obtain
return to their native land of foreigners
S who through disease Or misfortune had
community, but the reply has Invariably
been made that as this government has
no funds at its disposal for bringing back to
this country an American citizen who had be-
come public charge abroad and had thus been
compelled to decline such request when made
by foreign governments, 1t could not ask o
foreign government to assume this expense in
the case OF one OF its subjects or citizens who
had become o public charge in the United
States.
The Treasury Department has always con-
strred the act Of 1882 to apply only to the port
Of entry, and in case Of a request from any
other point has held that it would only con-
sider It If the person belonging TO the prohib-
tied class have his consent to this deportation
and his expenses were paid back to the port at
which he entered the United States.
1T may be. however. that the case OF the
British subject, VIM. Matthews, falls under
section II of the act Of March 8, 1891, and it is
therefore suggested that full report Of all
facts bearing upon the subject be brought to
the attention Of the Secretary Of the Treasury
accompanied by copies of this correspondence.
SHOULD it be fonnd that Matthews was insane
before his immigration and charge upon the
British public charity, or be ascertained that
there was connivance on the part Of any British
authorities to throw the burden Of his support
on any other country, the case will then re-
ceive the earnest consideration Of this depart
ment"