The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1870-03-09
CONGRESS-.
WASHINGTON, February 26. 1870.
HoUSE


The House went into Committee of the
Whole on the Indian Appropriation bill
appropriating 81, ,1S8,935.
Mr.. SARGENT, who had charge OF the
bill, as a member of the Committee on APP
preparations, explained its provisions and
exposed the dishonesties and speculatlons
practiced under the general Indian treaty
system He denounced the late massacre
of Indians by Col. Bakers command, as re-
lated by Vincent Colyer, comparing 1t to
the massacre of Glenco. He regretted that
the hero of the Shenandoah had to stand
sponsor for such peed as that.
Mr. PAINE remarked that If General
Sheridan was responsible tor that massacre,
his responsibility was a very grave one,
but he could not believe the statement
made by Vincent Colyer, particularly after
reading the order and report Of General
Sheridan, and his instructions to General
Hancock in November, 1869. These Mr..
Paine sent to the Clerks desk and had
read.
Mr. SARGENT said he was not con-
demning General Sheridan or the General
of the Army He was simply striking at
the system. There was nc warrant for de-
stroying women and children because he
believed their husbands and fathers were
robbers.
Mr. VOORHEES, expressed adherence
at the system of warfare as exposed by NJ.
Colyers letter He would not vote dol
lar of appropriation to uphold such sys-
tenn of indiscriminate massacre.
Mr.. SARGENT said he could not ac-
complish his purpose by voting against a
bill which contained no appropriation for
military purposes.
Mr.. CLARKE expressed his views
against the whole Indian treaty system,
and in favor Of the abrogation Of all exist
ing Indian treaties.
The general debate having closed, the
House considered the bill by sections for
amendments.
Mr. CLARKE moved AN amendment
providing that hereafter Indian tribes shall
be considered incapable Of making treat
les.
Mr.. HOLMAN made point of order
that it was independent legislation and not
IN order to an appropriation bill.
The CHAIRMAN sustained the point.
Mr.. LAWRENCE expressed his views
against the Indian treaty system, and his
qualification at learning that President
Grant had recently withdrawn from the
Senate all pending Indian treaties.
Mr.. BECK, a member from Committee
on Appropriations, declared his belief that
this bill had been as well considered IN his
Committee as any other bill had been.
Mr.. WILSON, of Mimi, put IN plea
for treaty system, but advocated a cor
rectness OF its abuses
Mr.. ELDRIDGE entered his solemn
protest against the manner in which the
Indians has been treated, and especially
- L l.,
| of General Sheridan's.
protest against the sweeping condemna-
ton of government officials, If he stood
alone he would express his approval o
| the orders OF General Sheridan, they ex
pressed the sentiment of war and he hac
I always that IN war a vigorous policy wa
not only best, but the most merciful
Those savages who themselves cared no
for age or sex, whose women and children
made war on white women and children
who danced for Joy around the burning
stakes, whose women and children wer
/ flames Of torture, were only to be warreC
upon by war of determination.
| Mr.. MUNGEN said he was not awar,
that his mild and gentlemanly colleague
from Ohio, was of so bloodthirsty dispo
| sition, and he could not overlook the in
human sacrifice of these savages, and b.
could not see any mercy, or justice, or hu
| manlty, or civilization IN 1t. As to tn
savages who murder and destroy whit
women and chiidred, he would fight then
to the last, but he certainly would no
lump into q little Indian, sick with tn
smallpox, and kill him.
The Committee rose to close the debat
on the paragraph, and the House adjourn
ed until Monday.