The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-03-12
Speech in the House by Mr.. BurIe-
son That n Spirited
Reply from Mr.. Hit.
TROUBLE MAKER SQUELCHED
MIR. THAYER o PERMITTED TO
FURTHER STIR UP STRIFE.
Debate in Senate-Hoar Opposed to
Popular Election of Senator's
Subsidy Bill Discussion.

pOstoffice appropriation bill, but as usual
during general debate on an appropriation
bill the members who spoke devoted them
selves to everything except the bill be-
fore the House. Early in the day Mr..
Thayer, of Massachusetts,, attempted TO
take advantage of the division among the
Republicans on the subject Of reciprocity
by bringing forward a resolution TO inves-
tigate reports that the sugar trust would
be the chief beneficiary of Cuban reciproci-
ty., He tried to overturn a decision of
the speaker in order TO secure action on
his resolution, but the Republicans came
up solidly against such a course, and he
was checkmated. Mr.. Brantley, a Georgia
Democrat, made a speech in favor Of
Cuban reciprocity, and Mr.. Thayer, a Lou
isiana Democrat, one against it.
Mr.. Hill. of Connecticut, made some re-
marks on his monetary bill. The feature
of the day, however, was a speech by
Mr.. Burleson attacking Secretary Hay for
declining to request the British authorities
TO furnish passports to go through the
British lines to Rev. Hiram w. Thomas
and wife, who desire to go to South Africa
to distribute Boer relief funds collected in
Illinois. Mr. Hit, of Illinois. chairman
Of the foreign affairs committee, made a
spirited reply to Mr.. Burleson, charging
the Texas member with attempting to pre-
judge the case before the evidence was in.
Mr.. Hit pointed out that relief funds
could be distributed through the Red Cross
or the American consuls, and added that it
was contrary to international law and
usage to allow those in sympathy with
the enemy TO so through the lines in time
of war.
Early in the day the House went into
committee of the whole, Mr.. Littlefeld, of
Maine, in the chair, and entered upon
consideration of the postoffice appropria-
ton bill. As Mr.. Littlefield took the chair
there was an outburst of applause on both
sides OF the House.
THE POSTOFFICE BILL.
Mr.. Loud, in charge of the bill, explained
the provisions in a preliminary statement.
The bill. he said. carried S137, 916, $50, being
So, 1S5,022 more than the estimates and $14,-
133, $40 more than the appropriations for the
current year.
The main caue of the increase, he said,
was the increased salaries of postal en-
ployes, which under this bill would average
$500.
Mr.. Brantley. taking advantage of the
latitude allowed in general debate on an
appropriation bill, discussed the question
of Cuban reciprocity. He commended that
whatever was to be done should be done
speedily. He favored reciprocity. He
greatly from the commerce of Cuba
if freer trade existed, and that more
over if Cuba were prosperous a sani-
tary condition would be maintained
there which would remove the danger of
yellow fever which had constantly threat
ened the Southern ports in the past. Mr..
Brantley spoke for over an hour. He was
closely questioned by the Michigan and
Louisiana members.
While Mr.. Hill was speaking in favor of
his bill TO maintain the legal tender value
of the silver dollar at a parity with gold,
a group of Republicans were listening to
Senator Hanna. The little gathering at
tracted much attention.
Finally Mr.. SulZer, rising to a point of
order, asked Mr.. Littlefield, who was in
the chair, whether the gentleman from
Connecticut or the Senator from Ohio
Mr.. Littlefield, who was presiding, with a
broad smile. pounded for order and an
nounced that the gentleman from Con-
necticut' had the floor. He looked to-
ward the group. of which Senator Hanna
was the center, and admonished those who
desired to indulge in conversation to re-
tire behind the rail.
BURLESON'S SPEECH.
Mr.. Burleson then called attention to the
resolutions introduced by him a few days
ago calling on the secretary of state for in
formation as to whether he had declined to
request the bTlllSn Ambassador 10 IuIUlSn
passports for Rev. Hiram w. Thomas and
wife, of Chicago, who were selected to dis
tribute funds collected in Illinois for the re-
lief of noncombatant prisoners in South
Africa. Mr.. Burleson admitted that he did
not know personally whether the report on
which his resolution was based was true.
His purpose was solely to ascertain the
facts. He sent to the clerks desk and had
read a letter from John o. Knight. who
came TO Washington TO secure the pass
ports for DIR. Thomas and wife. Mr.. knight
in the letter stated that the funds were col
lected in response to an appeal by Governor
Yates and that the having them
i'm charge consisted of Mayor Harrison,
Judge Z. T. Dunno and Peter Van Wis
senger. He had gone to Secretary Hay, the
letter said. with a letter from Senator Cul-
lom, and the secretary of state, according
to the letter. had declined TO make the re-
quest of Lord Pauncefote on the ground
that such a request would be considered
"meddlesome" and a "remisness of neutral
ity" and against the views of President
Roosevelt. If the facts stated in the letter
were true, said Mr.. BurlesOn, then the
state Department was so saturated with
pro-British spirit that il could no longer re-
spond to the common dictates of humanity
when made in behalf of Boer women and
children Mr.. Burleson said that. under
date of March 4. another appeal had gone
from Mr.. Knight TO Secretary Hay without
e~liciting a response. Mr.. Burleson said his
purpose in having these letters read was to
fasten the attention of the American people
on the course of the State Department.
MR.. HITS REPLY.
Mr.. Hit, chairman of the foreign affairs
committee, replied TO Mr.. Burleson with
some display of heat. He said il was with
surprise that he had heard the gentleman
from Texas bring forward a resolution
which already had been referred to a com
mittee Of which he LBurlesonl was a mem
Der. and which committee was to meet
on a day fixed by the motion of Mr.. Burle-
son himself. 1t was strange, he said, tina
Mr.. Burleson should rush in before action
was taken or the reply Of the secretary OF
state was reached. He declared it was an
effort TO PREJUDICE the case before the evil
dence was in. He asked whether he would
have allowed a committee that existed in
London in 1863 and which was in full sym
through the Union lines for the purpose OF
distributing relief. international laws must
be observed, he said. The international
Red Cross vas organized for the purpose
OF carrying relief. Funds could be dis
tributed through IL or through our con-
suls, but not through those In sympathy
with the enemy. Relief funds raised in
this country in fact had been distributed
through our consuls.
But why should not the secretary OF
state use his good offices 10 relieve the dis
tress OF the Boer women and children con-
fined In concentration campsY asked Mr.,
Burleson.
Mr.. Hit replied that according TO Mr.,
Lrpfghffa letter the eQcrefary had offered ~