National Republican., 1873-01-07
SENATE.

CeIlnncous business.
SENATE.
MONDAY, January q, 1srs.
Mr.. Pratt presented Joint resolutions OF the
Legislature Of Indiana asking an appropriation
for the improvement Of the harbor Of Michigan
city. Referred to Committee on Commerce.
Mr.. Ferry, Of Mich, Introduced q bill setting
apart a certain portion Of the island Of Mackinaw
for q national park. Referred to Committee on
Military Affairs.
Mr.. Wright introduced q hill extending the
time for the completion Of the ~. Paul and Pa
cinc railroad.
DULUTH HARBOR,
Mr.. Howe offered n resolution requesting the
Secretary Of War, when he responds TO the reso-
luton calling for information as TO the late
storm nt Duluth, to communicate the opinion OF
the chief engineer as TO the best means OF OBJ
tanning safe harhor at that point. Adopted.
TnE ISSUE OF THE UNITED STATES NOTES.
on motion of Mr.. Scott, the Committee on Fl
nance was instructed to Inquire into the author-
lty Of the Secretary o. the Treasury TO Issue
United States notes In lieu OF the fortyfour mil
Hons Cancelled and retired under act Of Congress-.
Mr.. Edmunds' resolution calling on the War
Department for Information as to the claims OF
Washington and Oregon Territories for suppress
sion OF Indian hostillties was passed.
ELECTIONS IN ARKASsAs AND LoUsIAsA.
Mr.. sherman offered q resolution instructlng
the Committee on Elections and Privileges to
examine and report whether tho recent election
for President and Vice President In Arkansas
and Louisiana has been conducted In accordance
with the laws Of the United States, and what
contests, II any, have arisen a. TO who were
chosen electors In either OF said States, and
what measures are necessary to provide for
the determination OF such contests, and to guard
against and determine like contests In the future;
the committee TO have power to send for persons
and papers, to take testimony, and, II necessary,
to authorize suitable, dlslnterested and unpreJu.
nal m alfhaF ff
States, to take such testimony as may he mate
rial In the determination OF any pending contest
there growing outof the election. -
Mr.. Sherman asked for the present consldera-
ton OF the resolution, but Mr.. West objected.
lie said he did not object to the spirit or the pur
pose OF the resolution, but he wished time to
Mr.. sherman then gave notice that he should
call up the resolution tomorrow.
Mr. MORTON oFPERED RESOLUTION
instructlng the Committee on Privileges and
Elections to inquire and report as to the best
method OF electing the President and Vice Presi-
dent, and to provide tribunal for the determl-
nation OF contested questions connected there
with. lie gave notice that he should call II up
on Monday next for the purpose OF making some
remarks.
ALLOWANCES TO DIsBuRsRa oFFICKRs.
Mr.. Trumbull offered resolution directing
the Secretary OF the Treasury to inform the SEN
ate whether any allowances have, az any time,
marine corps, and II so, to what amount, giving
the names and amounts. Adopted.
GOAT ISLAND nIiI.
The bill In reference to Goat island was taken
from the table, and after some remarks by Mr..
Casserly, was referred without further objection
to the Committee on Military Affairs,
Mr.. Wright offered q resolution instructing the
Judiciary Committee to inquire Into the expe-
dlency OF repeal OF the national bankrupt act,
to take effect January l, isI9, and to provide for
which provides Tor involuntary bankruptcy.
Adopted.
TuE GEORGIA DISABILITIES BuI,
tVh tVaa nn an ~ m
In order, Mr.. Window moved to lay It on the Ia
ble for the purpose Of proceeding with the In-
dian appropriation bill. ,,-
the Indian bill as now before the Senate was
t6434 1885, which was t9OT, ,99I SO less than that
appropriated by the hill Of last year.
Mr.. Hill hoped the disabilities bill would he
proceeded with, and repeated that several Of the
gentlemen named In u wished to be relieved In
order to become candidates for the United
States Senate, the election for which by the
Georgia Legislature would soon take place.
Mr.. Edmunds alluded to q letter which he had
received TO the effect that Mr. Hardenan, one OF
the persons named In this bill, was the principal
instgator Of the Macon massacre where seven
citizens were Killed and over thirty wounded.
Mr.. Hlll said Mr.. Harteman was q most amla-
bic man, and he had never heard OF this before.
After further discussion, the motion to lay on
the table was carried-ayes %, noes ls.
THE INDIAN AUTHORIZATION BILL
was then proceeded with, and when the clause
apprOpriating $500, 900 for the Teton Sioux was
reached, Mr.. Windom said he was unwilling that
It should pass without directing the attention Of
the Senate TO it. The chairman OF the Commit
tee on Indian Affairs (Mr. Ilaflan) had letter on
the subject from the acting Secretary OF the In
terror.
Mr. Harlan then sent to the desk, TO he read, Q
letter from the acting Secretary of the Interior
General COwen. The letter shows thattwo trea
ties had been made with the Teton sioux by th'
United States, one as far back as 1918. The act
ing Secretary also says that these Indians are re
ferred to In Washington lrylngs Astoria, and BY
Lewis and Clark In their Indian explorations II
1900. But In consequence Of doubts having ariseI
as to the Indians In the vicinity OF Fort Peck be
ing hostile, 4 commission sent there having sucl
doubts, and In consequence OF the representa-
tions that no such tribe now existed, the Depart
mCnt had issued orders 10 discontinue any fur
ther disbursements under the appropriation.
The total disbursements up 70 the time the!
were stopped, were about t90S,0OO.
Mr.. Window said the term Teton Sioux" wa
applied to the rowing bands OF Indians west an,
south Of the Missouri. lie did not know whethe
hut the money disbursed under this appropria
tiOn had gone TO the Indians II was intended for
Mr.. Thurman said there was great doubt OF N
present existence OF this tribe, which had moth
Ing TO 40 with the fact that Il once existed.
the Indian department were not thoroughly IN
formed on this subject It's Affairs were oeTtainl
very loosely administered.
Mr. WINDOW SAID HE UNDERSTOOD
that there were In the nelghbOrhOOd of For
Peck something like 1900 Indians, and the AZ
term OF "Teton Sioux" and such Of the appro
pTIation as had been expended had been give
TO these Indians, and they had kept the peAcS
II was a mere question Of name, and he did nc
see any appearance OF dishonesty about tn
transaction.
Mr.. Logan said he had been informed by a
army otiicer that "Fort Peck" was no fort at al
but mere trading station kept by man name
Peck; that at this place arms and ammunltio
were sold to the Indians, and be wished TO kno,
II provision could not be inserted In lhe Dill
prevent It..
Mr.. Harlan said these Indians were now peac'
able, and II would be manlfestly unjust 70 q,
prive them OF the means OF subsistence, as III
arms sold TO them enabled them to supply then
selves with game.
Mr.. Logan replied that the army oflcers In u
vicinity OF the Indians were generally OF u
opinion that II was bad policy TO sell them arm
and especially TO sell to the Sioux.
MI Logan then offered an amendment prohl
Iting the sale OF arms to the Indians near 70
Peck; which was adopted, and the appropriate
OF sS00,OOO for the "Teton Sioux" was leit VI
changed.
The Senate, at 4:iO y. m, went into executl'
session, and shortly after adjourned.