The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1869-04-07

Der session, a bill for the taking of the census
which was agreed to, and the bill as amended
| passed
Mr. Sherman from the Committee on Elec
lions, reported resolutions on the contested
election case from the Third Congressl0nia
District of Pennsylvania, that john Monett
the sitting member, is not entitled TO ms seat
and that Leonard Myers. the contestant, rs.
He gave notice that he would can up 'he re-
port for action on Thursday. -.
i Mr. Paine from the same committee, report
Il ed that Mr.. McCraine, claiming seat from the
Fifth Congressional District OF LOUISIANA, is
not eligible to a seat in the House. Laid on
Mr. Niblack asked but failed to receive leave
/ TO Introduce resolution instructing the Judi
| ciarv Committee to inquire as to having full
| daily wages paid for eight hours labor.
| The House then went into committee of the
| whole, Mr. Judd in the chair, on the Senate
amendments to the Indian appropriation BILL
Mr.. Dawes, chairman Of the Committee on
Appropriations, said they had agreed to recon-
mend an appropriation of $2O00000, to be plac-
ed IN the hands of the President with full au-
thority according to his discretion and judg-
ment aid under his official responsibility, to
maintain peace with the Indians, to promote
civilization among them, to place them, when
practicable, on reservations, to encourage thelr
efforts at self suppon, and to make theiI re-
port to Congress next DECEMBER. Ing aruop
ton of such an amendment, Whlcn ne oHered
as a substitute to the Senate amendment, would
save an expenditure of $4,000, 600; would save
the government from all immediate conse-
quences of assuming these treaties, and would
put the responsibility Where IL belonged, with
the Executive.
Mr.. Clark desired to move proviso. that
hereafter the Indian tribes shall be held inca
pable of making treaties with the United
States, but the House refused to suspend the
rules for the purpose.
Mr.. Butler, Of Massachusetts. insisted that
by the ratification of the 18th amendment to
the Constitution, Indians became citizens con-
sequently there was no validity in any treaty
attempted to be made with any Indian tribe
since the ratification of that amendment. He
commented upon the vicious system of making
Indian treaties, and hoped the House would
stand up firmly against them.
Without disposing of the bill the committee
rose.
Mr.. Paine, from the Election Committee,
made report on the contested election case
from the LIST Congressional District of Louisi
ana, that the claimant, Ell. Martin, is unable to
take the test oath. The report was laid on the
table.
The House then took recess, the evening
session to be for the consideration of the Indian
appropriation bill.
EVENING SESSION.
In Committee of the Whole on the Indian
Appropriation bill, the question being on Mr..
Dawes amendment, long discussion took
place.
Mr. Clarke OF Kansas supported the amend
ment offered by Mr.. Dawes and also one of his
own.
Mr.. Beck also supported Mr.. Dawes amend
ment
Mr.. Lawrence opposed the Senate amend
meuts and also that of Mr.. Dawes. He sug-
gested that all roaming Indians be collected
into one reservation and general civil govern
ment extended over them. He desired to have
the adjournment resolutions rescinded and
general Indian policy adopted.
Mr.. Bingham supported the amendment of
Mr.. Dawes, but suggested the appropriation be
increased to 81, 100000. He considered the In
dian treaties binding on the House.
MIR. Dawes again argued in support of his
amendment.
Mr.. Williams believed in carrying out the
treaties, and did not see why $2,000000 should
be placed in the hands of the President to do
with as he chose without any restraint what
ever.
Mr.. Butler of Mass favored the increase of
the appropriation to $2,5O00O0.
The question was taken on increasing the
appropriation to two and a half millions, and
rejected.
Mr. Dawes amendment was then adopted.
The Senate amendments were then taken
up and disposed of in the main as recon-
mended by the Committee on Appropriations.
INVENT y-two being concurred in and one hun
dred and three nOn-concurred it.
The Committee rosa and House adjourned
The vote in the House is to be taken to-mor-
row on the amendments