Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1875-01-14
HOuRE.

HOUSE.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 1S.-Mr. Senor
moved to take up and concur in Senate
amendments to House bill abOlishing the
Western District of Arkansas.
Mr. Butler, Of Massachusetts, object
until the civil rights bill be disposed Of
The HUuse then went into Committee of
the Whole, Mr.. Poland in the chair, on the
Indian appropriation bill, which appropri-
ates S4,S55,507.
Mr.. LOughridge, who had charge Of the
bill as a member Of the Committee on Ap-
propriations, made a brief statement as to
the bill, showing that it appropriated SS2j,-
600 less than the bill of last year, and be-
tween one and two millions less than was
estimated by the Department.
Mr.. Beck declared that the Indian De-
partment cost the country not less than
seven millions a year, although apprOpria-
tiOn bills were got up so as to make the
expense appear less than five millions. He
asserted that only twenty-five per cent. Of
the amount reached the Indians, and Oger
seyenty-fiEe per cent. went into the pockets
Of dishonest Indian agents and Indian
traders.
Mr.. Garfield denied the assertion and
called for the proof.
Mr.. Beck-I ask the gentleman if it is
not true that an absolute license has been
given to the brother OF the President as
sole trader Of Indian agencies.
Mr.. Garfield do not know it. If the
gentleman knows it, let him show it. Give
us information.
Mr.. Randall-The uncOntradicted state
ments in the public press.
Mr.. Beck-Ihe delegate from Montana
has seen the papers. l want to eurtail
these Indian agencies, because they are
nests of corruption.
Mr.. Garfeld-The gentleman now
charges that the brother of the President
has some exclusive right to trade with
the Indians. Is that an unlawful right?
Mr.. Beck-It is an unlawful right.
Mr.. Garfield-Against what law
Mr.. Beck-Against the intercourse law Of
June so, 1884. That law authorizes any
man to trade with Indians, who has a good
moral character and can give sufficient
bonds. And no President or Secretary Of
the Interior and Commissioner Of Indian
affairs has right to give a monopoly Of
trade to one man and exclude all Others.
Mr.. Garfeld-Has the gentleman seen
any commission or order in cOntTaventiOn
of that law?
Mr.. Beck-I have no access to the de-
partment, and no means Of getting infOr-
nation, and the Democratic party has no
means Of getting it. After the 4th of
March, we will develop the facts and have
information.
Mr.. Garfeld-Let the Delegate from
Montana tell what be knows Of the viola.
tiOn of the law.
Mr.. Beck-I want to know if you
deny it?
Mr.. Parker, Of Missouri, said that he had
heard Mr.. Beck's speech four years AGO, and /
every time since, when the Indian appro-
priatiOn bill was under consideration.
Mr.. Randall-Yes, and it hJs never been |
answered.
Mr.. Parker-He states that Indian agents !
are corrupt, thieves and scOundrels. Now |
l believe that there is not a more honest |
corps of men in the service Of the Govern !
ment than these Indian agents. Decla- |
nation from the other side Of the chamber |
against speculation, fraud, theft aud larce- !
ny on the part Of the Indian Bureau is |
mere empty talk and nothing more.
Mr.. Randall intimated that the giving BY |
the President to his brother an extensive |
monopoly was a disCreditable act.
Mr.. MerTiam-Where is your evidence |
of it?
Mr. Randall-You know it is true. No |
one will deny it.
Mr. Loughridge-I deny it.
Mr.. Randall-This is tie first time have |
heard it denied.
Mr.. Loughridge-Very well, deny it,
and call on you for the proof.
Mr.. Maginnis, delegate from Montana,
confirmed Messrs. Beck and Randall's state
ments as to trading privileges being taken
from Mr., Charles, Of Iowa, and given to /
OrVille S. Grant, and said that the parties
having failed to come to terms for the pur-
chase of Mr.. Charles stock Of goods, the
question had been transferred to Washing
ton and brought before the Secretary of the
Interior.
Mr.. Loughridge-Doy you know anything
yourself of this, or only by hearsay?
Mr.. Maginnis-I knew it from Grant,
and l knew it from Mr.. Charles.
Mr. Randall-Yes, and the gentleman
can get it from Senator Allison.
After some further discussion, and with
out making much progress in the bill, the
rose, and the House, at o'clock