Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-04-12
Sharp Colloquy Between Sen
ators Teller and Hopkins.
GEN. THOM AS REMOVAL
TAKEN AS TEXT OF ME-. TELLER's
REMARKS. -
Mr.. Hopkins Contended That His Re-
moval Was Just ana Mas After
Investigation.

A rather heated passage Of words oc-
Cured between Senators Teller and Hop
kips late this afternoon. Senator Teller in
pursuance of his campaign for an investi-
CATION of the Post Office Department IN
timated that other departments of the
government might be looked into and re-
ferred to the Treasury Department. He
took as a text for his charge the recent
removal of Gen. Thomas from the office of
appraiser at Chicago and the letter which
Gen. Thomas subsequently sent to the Sec
retary of the Treasury.
Senator Teller explained that Gen. Thom-
as was distinguished Union soldier,
man of high character and of long expert
ence in the public service. He had been re-
moved by the Secretary Of the Treasury
and felt aggrieved thereat.
Gen. Thomas had written the letter to
the Secretary of the Treasury, in which
he charged the Secretary with violation
of the civil service law, naming an al
legged instance Senator Teller was rather
severe in his structure upon the Secretary
of the Treasury for failing to reply to the
charges made in the Thomas letter, and
wanted to know what President Roose-
welt would have done when he was civil
service commissioner If such a charge
cratic Secretary. Senator Teller. quoted
an extract from thas Chicago Tribune,
which said, in effect, that the public
might have some respect for an out-and-
out spokesman, but would have no respect
for one who stole the livery of heaven in
which to serve the devil
Senator Teller insisted that the charge
made by Gen. Thomas shouIA@hav re-
ceived consideration at the hands of the:
Secretary Of the Treasury
Senator Hopkins Ent@s the Ring.
Just at this moment Senator Hopkins of
Illinois, who was concerned IN the selection
Of successor to Gen. Thomas entered the
chamber and catching what he supposed
was the drift of Senator Teller's remarks
asked in an aggressive manner whether the
senator from Colorado had any criticism to
make Of the removal Of Gen Thomas Sena-
tor Teller said he had no criticism to make of
the removal of Gen. Thomas, but that his
remarks applied only to Gen. Thomas SUBJ
sequent letter making chaEges against the
Secretary OF the Treasury
Senator Hopkins said he{was prepared to
show that there was not fa word of truth
in the letter of Gen. Thomas.
Senator Teller retorted Gen. Thomas
word would go as far with him as Senator
Hopkins.
This brought the heatedzreply from Sem
ator Hopkins that he juds1ed that evidence
from the slums or anywhere else would
be good with the senator from Colorado
as his word. Senator Houhins said that If
Senator Teller's record wa as clean as his
own there would be no oeca sian for crit
icism.
Senator Teller. his face Nhite with anger,
said that the remark of fha senator from
Illinois, as applied to him otter thirty years
of service, was a gratuifous Insult, and
until the senator from Illinois learned the
manners that ought to obtain on the Senate
floor he would have no knrther converse
with him: the senator ffom Illinois de-
graded himself when he tatkSd about slums.
Senator Hopkins said thsft after his eight
cen years of public seryice he did not have
to be reminded of the amenities and then
proceeded to discuss the charges made by
Gen. Thomas. He declarGd the letter was
prompted by spite and injtslice and intend
ed to do the Secretary Of the Treasury an
injury. He said the Office Of Gen, Thomas
had been investigates by the Treasury De-
partment and that the general had been
allowed TO remain on account of his years
and his service long after the fimaswhen the
interests Of the ONCE dema&ded change.
Died in Attorneyss ONCE
In the course Of the di4cussion the fact
was brought out that GerE Thomas shortly
after his. removal tosk th@ matter 50 much
to heart that Ne fEi1ed rabidly and It was
only Ntf1eswht}e aeok whfe In the Office OF
q pension attorney endea3Bring to arrange
for pension, for which be had never APP
Piled before, but which fhis impecuniQus