The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1880-02-17
Last Nights Dispatches.
WASHINGTON.

WASHINGTON. Feb. l6.-The Senate
special committee investigating the causes
of the removal of the Poncas took testi..
mony this morning from Bishop Hare. of
the Episcopal church. missionary in
charge of the .Poncas and other Indians.
He testified that from the time of his first
personal knowledge of the Poncas in 1873
up to the date of their removal to the In
dian Territory they were in trouble on &C.
count of the failure of their crops by rea-
son of drought and grasshopper, and on
account of rains and depredations. They
were anxious to be removed from Dakota.
He had understood from high and reliable
sources that they gave their consent to the
removal to the Indian Territory, but when
the time came opposed 1t, Negotiations
having been concluded and arrangements
made. he thought it essential that the
government proceed to their removal. 1t
was essential in order to preserve the
authority of the United States among all
the Indian tribes in that region. Friends
OF the Poncas who have long been making
efforts for their welfare, to have them fed
aud provided with means for their protec
ton, had concluded it would be best to re-
move them. Be thought so himself, and
in view OF all the circumstances, although
he knew it would involve hardship for the
Poncas, he united with Inspector Kemble
in telegram advising the department to
stand firm in its determination TO carry
out the Poncas remoual. He believed the
course of Inspector Kemble towards the
Poncas to have been straightforward.
honorable and philanthrophic The Sioux,
10 making these raids upon the
property of the Poncas. violated the
regulations against leaving their reserya-
ton. but thev were so formidable a
tribe that the Government was afraid of
them and was not afraid of the Poncas.
Senator Dawes-So it appears the gov
keep the Sioux from hurting them?
Bishop Hare-Yes. 1t may be looked
at in that way. You know the Indians
have common saying, THE better we
are. the worse we are off," Indians who
kill and steal are likely to be well provided
for.
Senator Kirkwood-Is it not easier to
procure appropriations for warlike than
for peaceful tribes2
Bishop Hare-I understand it is,
Senator kirkwood said be asked the
question in order to show that Congress
must take part of the blame for the con-
dition of facts referred TO.
Senator Morgan the govern
ment's failure to protect the Popcas due
to the want of Congressional appropria
tions2
Bishop Hare-No. l think not. The
government authorities were afraid of the
Sioux
The House Committee on Elections will
formally take vote tomorrow on the Don
nelly-W Washburne case. 1t is understood
that the committee will by strict party
he
Gratis, decide in favor of seating Donnely.
At meeting OF the House Com mmittee
on Coinage, Weigh;s and Measures, Mr..
Warner read the report of the sub-com
mittee 10 which was referred the petition
of the Bullion Club OF New York praying
that paper currency be restricted to de-
nominations of $40 and upwards The
report recon mmends that the volume of
paper credit money OF the United States
be limited to its present outstanding issues
by stopping any further issue and pro-
viding that all additional increase of paper
currency shall be by coin and bullion GER
tlficates. Mr. Warner was instructed TO
present the report to the House with a
request that il be printed and recommit-
ted.
Representatives Wood, Frye and Car
Iisle, OF the House Committee on Ways
and means. completed to Gay the draft OF
refunding bill EN- bodying the feature
added by the committee at their last meet
ing and will present the same 10 full COM
mittee in the morning. Unless still
further amendments are made it is
thought the bill will be reported 10 the
House to- morrow.
The Senate COMMITTEE on Privileges
aud Elections unanimously agreed upon
& report exonerating Senator Ingalls, from
the charges OF bribery preferred by Kan
sas memorIalists.
The Superintendent of the Census. In a
circular totSupervisors, says that appoint
ments of enumerators must be non par
tisau, lie is aware of 10 legal reasons for
regarding women Ineligible ior appoint
ment. Each Supervisor must be the
Judge ior himself. Ii is clear that in
many regions such an appointment would
be highly objectionable. but in others
might be proper.