Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1848-03-25
INDIAN APPROPRIATION BILL.
HOUSE OF REpREsEsTATIvEs-M AncH 20, ls4s

On motion of Mr.. VINTON the House resolved itself into
Committee of the Whole the Of the Union, (Mr.
ROCKWELL of Massachusetts, in the cha and proceeded to
the consideration OF the bill making appropriations Tor the
and contingent expenses OF the Indian department.
SIC. for the year ending June 30, lS49
The reading of the bill for information having been dis
pensed with, it read by items for amendment
Mr.. SAWYER moved TO amend the bill by adding at the
end Of the first item the following proviso
Provided that money appropriated BY the provisions OF
this shall be applied for the education Of Indian children,
except for the support of schools within the territory OF the
various Indian tribes"
Mr. SAWYER said he felt himself constrained by sense
of duty the Indians to the country, and to himself to OPP
pose certain things that had been going in relation to this
academy for a number Of yeaIs-since 1928
Mr. VINTON (Mr. S. yiedng) suggested that at page six
Of the bill would be found appropriation for the Chocaws
and that his colleagues amendment would more properly
come in al that part OF the BILL
Mr. SAWYER continued, and referred TO House document
on this subject Of the session Of lS4l42 TO show that the
amounts OF money appropriated for the education Of Indian
children this Choctaw academy flor there were there the
children Of various tribes although was called the Choctaw
academy since 1926 had been and they had gone
into the hands of Col r. NJ johnson for his special benefit
Il was with degree of regret that he made the statement
and proposed this amendment, for held Col Johnson
in higher estimation than he He found on looking into the
report that about $3.50 per had been paid for every
child taught in that academy There was plenty oil public
institutions in this country who would be glad to teach these
chdrento give them every particle of tuition they received
this Chocaw academy, $50 and he wished to show the
manner in which this thing had been done.
At the time the treaties going on with the different
tribes Of Indians the Chocaws particularly, the Department
here insisted having portion of their annules appop
ated to deng the expenses Of certain number OF children
educated at the Choctaw academy The Indians time and
again refused COL Johnson came on here from Time 70 Tune
and would insist having years Appropriation
had been granted Notwithstanding article in the treaty that
portion Of the money should be appropriated TO the educa
ton of the Choctaw children at the academy Look at the
report Of the Commissioner Of Indian Affairs He was de-
cdedy opposed to further appropriations for this academy and
thought the Indians should be educated in their nation
Now il Congress did prohibit Thy law this process
would be repeated Some $4,000, $4,000 or 600
had been expended annually and had not done the ldans
dollars worth Of good Il had been expended-he said
here in his psceor the benefit Of this who had esta
bshed the academy and not for the benefit Of the Indians
Instead Of its being necessary TO pay this 2ss or Sso per
year for the education Of single Indian child the War De-
Parment had written proposals before TO take them, clohe
board and educate them for $50 year. Bot as long as
not expressly prohibited by law, COL Johnson would
here he had done this year, and in open viola
ton Of treaty puaons get this appropriation for his benefit
Since 1925 the document he held in his hand showed there
had been expended at this single academy S474 OO0amost
half million dolasenough to educate every Indian child
in the United States BY looking at the list OF contingent
expenses would be that each Indian child had TO pay
certain sum Tor the Of the academy building He ven
ured say that COL Johnson had got paid in this way ten
times for this building and yet bill now before the
Senate making appropriation to pay him for the building
He entered his solemn protest against this kind Of proceeding
he cared whether personal political friend was nvolv
cd in it, long he held seat this floor he would
pose at ali hazards He made the statement from the book
when he asserted that this gentleman had been coming here
year by year for the last two three
there was positive prohibition in the treaty. Notwithstanding
the Indians positively refused treat with the provision in
that one of their children should 60 TO that academy-and
receiving his appropriation. And, furthermore, he ventued
say had paid 600 than needed TO have done,
because certain individuals wanted to get this small annuity
for Col Johnsons academy. He spoke from the book
Mr. JOHNSON, of Arkansas here nterposed, and the
floor being yielded with little warmth and some harsh
repeled false the charge Of swindng and vany
any such charge had been made, upon Col. Johnson.
Mr. SAWYER (continuing) said he charged just what
he bad stated lie had made no charge Of swndng upon
Col Johnson He said there had been swnding going
and he had stated that Col Johnson here and made his
application and had obtained his object and that Of these
treaties had cost $4,000 than would have cost had
this appropriation been left out.
Some further conversation passed between Mr.. SAWYER
and Mr.. JoHssos after which
MI. SAWYER, continuing, specified the contingent ex-
pcnses charged for collecting the Indian children, bringing
them TO the academy boarding the way, &c as those Of
which he particularly complained, although he complained OF
che general exsvagance Of the appropriations with
the Choctas academy. He did not Che sadly charge the
Colonel with swindng for probably he had done just what
the gentleman from Arkansas and himself would have dome
rot good bargain but after be had signed an agreement
with Mr. r. Hartley Crawford late Commissioner OF Indian
Affairs that he would make applications he had
come on here two or three ,mes since and got this appro
praton
Mr. BOYD the floor being yielded explained that although
he had not examined into this matter particularly, he had
erstood the other day from the Secretary Of War that there