Discusses the choice of magistrates and claims that there is a majority of Conservatives on the bench. Considers that the county of Flint is 'the most badly treated' as there are only two Liberal magistrates in the whole of the county. Merthyr, too, has only a single Liberal Justice. Dr Evans of Mountain Ash is really a Tory and will not support temperance legislation. The writer's opposition to the granting of occasional licences. The support given by Tory magistrates to 'the cursed traffic' and their failure to enforce the 1881 Sunday Closing Act. Hopes for a change in the licensing laws 'to see a considerable curtailment of the Traffic which is fast ruining the greatest country under the sun'. Tory justices 'hinder the advance of useful legislation in the country'. The intended appointment of additional justices at Merthyr and Aberdare.
'Report with reference to Principles of Welsh Disestablishment Bill, November 1892'. 'Strictly Private and Confidential'. The Report is signed by Aaron Davies, chairman, and Fred Llewellyn Jones, secretary.
Encloses a cutting of a paragraph from the previous day's South Wales Daily News - 'the most one sided I have yet seen in the choice of Justices'. Lists the names of the current justices for the county and gives their political affiliations. He is anxious for the appointment of 'thorough going Liberals' to the bench of magistrates at Merthyr and Aberdare. Has thanked Mrs Thomas for her great kindness to the ladies of Merthyr and Aberdare.
Enclose a copy of a resolution passed by a recent meeting of the Cardiff Cymmrodorion Society (A1/7a). They request D. A. Thomas to bring the matter to the attention of the appropriate authorities. The resolution refers to 'the great injustice of compelling Welsh witnesses to give their evidence in a foreign language in our courts of justice. ... It is full time that the judicial bench in Wales should be occupied by judges who are conversant with the language of the people'.
He is writing in connection with the introduction of the Liquor Traffic (Local Control) Bill as it affects many hundreds of D. A. Thomas's constituents. The measure would be unjust to traders like the writer and to thousands of D. A. Thomas's supporters. The bill seeks to close public houses completely - a great blow to the working classes in the constituency. Private drinking would inevitably result from the passage of the measure, and both the trader and investing capitalist would suffer. Discusses the weaknesses in the bill and the conduct of the elections. Believes that the provisions of the 1881 Sunday Closing Act should be re-considered. 'A more odious piece of class legislation, & one more dishonest in its consequences there has never been introduced.' Implores D. A. Thomas to oppose the measure.
The Sergeant-at-Arms has granted the request of the Company for admission to the Press Gallery and Lobby of the House of Commons. They are grateful to D. A. Thomas for his kind support in effecting this concession. It will enable Mr Vincent Evans to report more fully to the readership in the constituencies on the work of the Welsh Parliamentary Party. Hopes that D. A. Thomas's stay abroad has facilitated his return to good health.
Invites D. A. Thomas to the formal opening ceremony on 1st August of the Extension Buildings of the Rest which have recently been completed at a cost of about £6,000. A total of eighty-four patients can be accommodated.
They have received the petition from D. A. Thomas's constituents against the Welsh Veto Bill. Would like a line from D. A. Thomas acknowledging its receipt.
Has sent a copy of the Resolution to Robert Hudson and asked him to include on the agenda the Welsh meeting at Portsmouth on the 12th. He is making the arrangements for north Wales. Has sent out invitations to the Welsh Members and announced that D. A. Thomas is to be the chairman. Could D. A. Thomas urge Thomas Edward Ellis, David Lloyd George and Major Edgar Jones to attend? They are being invited by the writer and Mr Llewellyn Jones.
Has heard from G. H. Gwynne that D. A. Thomas is happy to meet a deputation relating to the conduct of the police on Christmas Day. The deputation will be pleased to meet D. A. Thomas at Newport as soon as possible in order to give the full facts of the case.
There is a movement afoot to re-petition Parliament in favour of the Liquor Traffic (Local Control) Bill. Would such a petition strengthen the hands of the Government? Aberdare is fully prepared to support the movement. The Government should be pressed to re-introduce the Bill as soon as possible in the next session.
Would have liked to attend the Portsmouth meetings, but had no wish to be 'an idle and useless spectator' there. Hopes that the Welsh speakers will take a firm stand; they should insist that Disestablishment should be treated in the next session as home rule was in the previous session. 'I mean what I said in the article, & hope you will persevere through evil & good reput [sic].'.
Has offered Bradpole to a clergyman. Should he not accept, would be happy to consider the claims of the Rev. W. P. Davies together with those of other applicants for the diocese.
The Dowlais Collieries Working Committee on 20 February considered the appointment of a JP for Dowlais and Merthyr. Would like D. A. Thomas and Mr W. Pritchard Morgan MP to use their influence with the Lord Chancellor on behalf of four worthy aspirants.
'No answer has come from Rosebery, but I am told that he means to reply that no interview is needed as he hopes to make a declaration that will satisfy us.'.
He extends the gratitude of the Women's Total Abstinence Union to D. A. Thomas for introducing the Grocers Licence Abolition Bill. They are working zealously to secure petitions in support of the measure. Would welcome D. A. Thomas's suggestions to inaugurate a plan of campaign.
