The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-03-15
Letter Read by Mr.. Hit Showing the
Secretary Did Not Refuse Pass
ports to the Thomases.
P0sT0FFICE BILL ADOPTED
RURAL FREE DELIVERY SERVICE
PROPOSITION INCORPORATED.
Ship Subsidy Bill Discussed i'm the
Senate by Foraker, McLnurin,
of mississippi, and Harris.

WASHINGTON. March 1.-The House
to-day passed the postofIice appropriation.
The only amendment of Importance
adopted was one to incorporate in the bill
the provisions Of the bill to classify the
rural free delivery service passed a few
days ago.
Mr.. Davidson, Of Wisconsin, moved an
amendment to provide that the postmas-
ter general should make specifications
covering the style Of rural free delivery
boxes which the department desired and
TO permit any manufacturer to make them.
He declared that under the present plan
the department required patrons to pur-
chase one of the fourteen styles of boxes
recommended by the commission appointed
to examine the boxes submitted. The pres
ent system, he said, constituted a virtual
monopoly for the manufacturers of the
fourteen boxes.
Mr.. Gaines, of Texas, supported the
amendment. He saw no reason why the
farmers of the country who could have
boxes made at the tinshops i'm the towns
should be forced to pay $3.50 to the favored
manufacturers. Mr.. Jett, of Illinois, also
favored the Davidson amendment.
Mr.. Loud said his committee had consid-
cred the question of boxes and had come
to the conclusion that the department
should have control of the matter. He
raised a point of order against the amend
ment, which was sustained by the chair.
Mr.. Crumpacker, of Indiana, moved to
strike out the appropriation of $142,72S for
special fast mail facilities from Washing
ton to New Orleans. His motion was lost
80 to 80. The bill was then passed.
Mr.. Sherman, of New York, from the
committee on commerce. called up a bill
to prevent the false branding and marking
of food products entering into interstate
commerce. The bill was passed.
While a bill was being considered in
committee of the whole Mr.. Burleson got
the floor and renewed the discussion of the
case of Rev. Hiram ". Thomas and wife
whose application to the State Department
for a request to the British authorities
for passports to enter the Boer lines in
South Africa for the purpose Of distribut-
ing relief funds, was brought to the at
tentiOn of the House by him few days
ago. Mr.. BurlesOn declared that Mr.. Hit s
defense of the refusal of the State Depart
might have been able to accede, was
lame" The State Department, in de-
Ginning the request. he said, did not plead
Hit had done. Mr.. BurlesOn denied that
the hypothesis of Mr.. Hit as to our re-
fusal to allow Confederate sympathizers
TO 80 through the lines during the civil
war was a parallel case, and moreover he
said that il was not an historical fact. He
read a letter from a Union surgeon sta
toned at City Point Va, during the war,
who told how the Union forces allowed
relief to pass through the lines. eff Gen
eral Sherman" asked he had concen-
trated Southern women and children in
camps did any one imagine that the North
would not have allowed relief to be sent
to Them" In conclusion Mr.. Burleson
called attention to Berlin dispatch an
nOuncing that Great Britain had granted
permission for the distribution of char
liable gifts collected in Germany for the
Boer prisoners.
Mr. Hit, chairman of the committee on
foreign affairs, replied briefly to Mr.. Burle-
son. He said he felt some hesitation about
renewing the controversy raised by a
resolution which was not before the House.
His observations the other day, he said,
had been OF an off-hand character He
would content himself at this time, he said.
with having read a letter he had received
follows
"Sir-Referring to the resolution recently
introduced in the House beg to make the
following statement of facts: A few days
ago young gentleman called and asked
whether this department would issue pass
ports to the Rev. DIR. Thomas and Mrs
Thomas, who were intending To so TO South
Africa for the purpose of distributing funds
which had been collected I'm Illinois for the
benefit of the sufferers by the war. l said
at once the department would issue the
passports desired, and that I would also
give Mr.. Thomas letter commencing him
10 every one / could influence and asking
their assistance In his errand. Inquiry was
then made whether this government would
ask of the British government permission
for Mr. and Mrs. Thomas TO go at will
through the British military lines and
camps. a suggestion which 1 thought i'm.
practicable.
This department is ready at any time
to consult with a representative of Gov
ernor Yates as to the best means of get
ting into the proper hands sums contributed
by charitable people in Illinois for the re-
lief of the sufferers by the war in South
Africa"
Immediately afterward Mr.. Hit pre-
scented the resolution reported by his COM
mittee, which called on the secretary of
state for the facts in the case of the APP
plication made to the State Department
in behalf of DR.. Thomas and wife The
resolution was adopted without debate.
Quite number of bills were passed. in
Guiding three for marine hospitals at Buffa-
10, Savannah and Pittsburg The House at
4:50 D. m. adjourned