Mr. Hay to Baron de Fava.
Washington, November 21, 1899.
Excellency: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your note of the 4th instant, in which you refer to certain questions put by Mr. Farquhar, of the United States Industrial Commission, to the Chevalier Rossi, chief of the Italian emigration bureau, alleging that officers of the Italian Government encouraged and profited by the padrone system, and request that Mr. Farquhar may be called upon to produce proof of the allegations made, and, in the event of his failure to do so, that he may receive officially a severe admonition for his reckless language.
In reply I have the honor to state that the executive department of the Government has no power of supervision or control over questions which a Legislative tribunal charged with the duty of conducting an inquiry may, in the exercise of its discretion, allow to be propounded to witnesses with a view to a searching investigation of the facts. Out of deference to your excellency, however, and as an act of courtesy, the Department has brought the matter to the attention of the commission, who have kindly informed it that, even before the receipt of your note, the matter which you deem objectionable had been stricken from the records of the commission, and that no unsupported reflections upon the Italian Government will be contained in the report of the commission, a copy of which will be furnished you.
Accept, etc.,