Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1902-03-22
REPLIES TO TEXAS
MEMBERS ATTACK
Letter From Secretary Hay on
the Thomas Passport
Affair.
is READ IN THE HOUSE
Secretary Declares Courteous Answer
Was Made to the Application
From the Chicago
Divine.

ddSlllllE lOh, phaANh
yesterday passed the postofice appro-
priation bill. The only amendment of
Importance adopted was n to incor-
porate In the bill liz provision Of the
bill to classify the rural delivery SER
vice passed a few days ago.
The Burleson resolution calling on
the secretary of state for the facts rela-
tive to the case of DIR. Thomas and
wife, who desired to go to Africa TO
distribute relief funds, was adopted az
ter a short debate, in the course or
which Mr.. Hit, chairman of the COM
mittee on foreign affairs, ~ntroduced a
letter from Secretary Hay explaining
what the department Of state had
done in the premises.
Yesterday was private bill day In the
house, but be agreement the regular
order was postponed until today In or
der that the house might proceed with
the consideration of the postothce APP
preparation bill.
When the item relative to the rural
free delivery service was reached, in
accordance with the action of the house
on Monday, Mr.. Lord, in charge or the
bill, moved to strike it out and substi-
tute the provisions of the bill to clas-
sify the rural free delivery service as
IL passed the house. This was adopted.
Mr.. Davidson Of Wisconsin moved an
dIIltlLulIICIl ~ pION loG AlaN NAiS ROoN
master general should make specifica-
lions covering the style OF rural free
delivery boxes which the department
desired and permit any manufacturer
to make them. He declared that under
the present plan the department re-
Quired patrons to purchase one or
fourteen styles Of boxes recommended
by a commission appointed to examine
the boxes submitted. The present sys-
fapo he coiI nnnCfiflfn1 a virtual mo-
nopoly for the manufacturers OF these
fourteen boxes.
Messrs. Gaines of Tennessee and Jet
Of Illinois favored the Davidson amend
ment.
Mr.. Loud said the committee had
considered 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 amendment, which was
sustained by the chair.
The postoffce appropriation bill was
then passed.
Mr.. Burleson Of Texas renewed the
discussion Of the case of Rev. Hiram
w. 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 distributing relief
funds was brought to the attention Of
the house by him a few days ago. Mr..
Burleson declared that Mr.. Hits de-
Tense of the refusal of the state de-
partment TO accede to the request,
while it might ave been able TO ac-
cede, was lame" The state depart
ment in declining the request, he said,
did not plead the violation of interna-
tional comfy, as Mr.. Hit had done.
Mr.. Burleson denied that the hypothesis
of Mr.. Hit as to our refusal to allow
confederate sympathizers to go through
the lines during the civil wal was n
parallel case, and, moreover, he said,
1t was not an historical fact. He read
q letter from a union surgeon stationed
at City Point, Va, during the war, who
told him the union forces allowed re-
lief to pass through the lines.
In conclusion Mr.. Burleson called at
tention to a Berlin dispatch a%nnounc-
Ing that Great Britain had granted
permission for the distribution of char
liable gifts collected in Germany for
the Boer prisoners.
Mr.. Hit OF Illinois, chairman of the
committee on foreign affairs, replied
briefly to Mr.. Burleson. He would con-
tent himself at this time, he said, with
having rea a letter he had received
from Secretary Hay. The letter was as
follows:
Department of State, Washington,
March II, l902.-Sir: Referring to the
resolution recently introduced in the
house, l beg to make the following
statement Of facts
"A few days ago a young gentleman
called and asked whether this depart
ment would issue passports to the Rev.
Mr.. Thomas and Mrs. Thomas, who
were intending to go to South Africa
for the purpose of distributing funds
which had been collected in Illinois for
the benefit OF the sufferers by the war,
] said at once the department would
issue the passports desired, and that
would also give Mr.. Thomas a letter
commencing him to every one whom
could influence, n asking their assist
ance 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, Z
suggestion which l thought impracti.
cable.
This department is ready at any
time to consult with a representative
Of Governor Yates as 20 the best means
OF getting into the proper hands sums
contributed by charitable people in Hi.
nois for the relief Of the sufferers BY
the war in South Africa.
Il am, sir, very respectfully you
obedient servant. John Hay,
Immediately afterward Mr.. Hit pre-.
scented the resolution reported by hi!
committee, which called on the secre.
tary of state for facts in the case OF
the application made 70 the state de
partment in behalf OF DR.. Thomas anC
wife.
The resolution was adopted witTou
dabatp. p a-