The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-12-19
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.

WASHINGTON. Dec. 10, 1872
Mr.. STEELE. (dem.) Of N. c.. from the Committee
on Agriculture. reported the bill Originally intro
duced by Mr. Sapp. of Iowa. to encourage interstate
emigration. authorizing the Commissioner of Agri-
culture collect ana publish all flcts which may he
OF value to emigrants. The report which accom-
panied the bill was very amusing document. 1t
started by stating that the bill reported back
adversely by the unanimous vote Of the committee.
and proceeded to give the reasons for that action.
There were than ten thousand million facts in
the world which would be of value emigrants and IL
the Commissioners report should confine itself to
them 1t would even then be somewhat voluminous.
1t would embody facts relative to winter and sum-
mer spring and autumn. vegetables. fruits. rye and
the distilled juice thereof cows, mules and the
animal which the committees respect for the Amer
lean Congress forbids its naming; kangaroos,
skunks. &c.. and including the respiratory organs
of the man in the moon. and 900. 100000 Of other
facts. 1t would require nearly ono thousand years
the present Commissioner to obtain and publish
all the facts. tho cost OF which publication
would exceed $500 100000. OoO. and though
it would be officially reliable it would
be Of little importance to the present generation
But IT, by years dispcnsation Of Divine Provi-
dence, the Commissioner should take admiring
view of the standing pile OF his reports he must be
excused If he exclaimed, in the exuberance of his
pride C.what's this?' queried the reading clerkj-
"Eregt monumenfum 0re perenntus. Regditqnc situ
pram,dum atus'' read MT: Steele in loud voice as
The bill was finally, together with the adverse re-
port referred to the Committee Of tho Whole.
THE UTE QUESTION.
Mr. SCALES, (dein.) OF n. c., Chairman Of tho Com
mfttee Indian Affairs, reported back the Senate
gotiate with the Indians for the REIMBURSEMENT of
their reservation in Colorado and their removal and
settlement elsewhere, with amendments requiring
the consent OF the Indians to the cesson OF any
of their reservation and providing that agree
mcnt shall be valid unless agreed to by threequar
tiers OF all the adult male Indians who have not for
feited their treaty rights. aad unless confirmed by
Congress. He asked for an immediate consideration
of the bill.
Mr.. CoxaER, (rep.) of Mich. rose to . point of
order, that it must receive its rst consideration in
Committee of the Whole.
Conger to withdraw the point OF order. because it
was absolutely necessary to have the bill passed to-
day.
Mr. CoSGER declined to withdraw 1t, declaring that
the bill absurd on its face; that Congress could
not by special act confer the treaty making power
OF the nation an officer not recognized by the
constitution or laws as having any authority
to make treaties. and that Congress had moth
ing further to do with the confirmation
OF treaties. The bill required the sanction Of
three-fourths OF those Indians who not
involved in warike operations. and the decision Of
that question was left to the commissioners. Ten
Indians might come to Washington aud might assert
that they were the only members OF the tribe who
were friendly. 1t was we'll known how the Indians
were driven from their reservations: how the
and now the violation of tho treaty obligations OF
the United states had led to more wars, nassacres
and murders for the sake of getting hold OF Indian
lands that desired hy the whites than all other
causes For hty years In British North America.
where there Indians OF all classes and grades
there never had been an Indian war. aud
whyP Because the British government had
dealt Justly with the Indians from Lab
raider to the Pacific. because that government
had adhered to Its promises to the Indians. and had
protected them In their reservations. But In tho
United States Indian got mp by few
white men, and then Congress was petitioned to
take away the Indian lands He objected to this
whole system of wholesale plumber OF Indians Ito
was not one of those who believed that the best In
dian was the dead Indian, was no Of those
who believed that the violation Of every obligation
with tho Indians conduced to the honor peace of
tho United states.
MIR. spRISaER (dem.) OF ILL.,, appealed to the House
to act on the question to-day. Gentlemen who
lived In the Eastern part OF the country had idea
of che anxiety aud distress to which the people OF
tho West were subjected on account Of Indian hos
Titles and, therefore, every measure tending to the
peeceable settlement of the Indian tribes should
have immediate consideration.
Mr.. CoxoER, OF Michigan-Let the majority OF the
House provide army to protect the frontier set
tiers. Bring in bill Tor that purpose and we can
pass IL to-day.
Mr.. sPRIxoER The army 10 ample now.
The point Of order being insisted ON the bill was