Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1880-04-17
The House,

WASHINGTON, April 16.-Considerable miscei-
laneous business was disposed of, and the Sen
ate bill removing the political disabilities of
Roger A. Pryor passed.
Mr. Cox chairman Of the committee on for
eign affairs, reported a resolution requesting
the President to take steps t. abrogate the
Clayton-Bulwer treaty. He reported it for
printing and recommittal, ne said, as the COM
mittee had taken no defnitive action on it.
The resolution was ordered printed and recon-
mitted.
MIR, Wilson, from the same committee, re-
ported Joint resolution for the disposal of the
Chinese indemnity fund. Referred to the COM
mittee of the whole.
The Speaker announced the appointment of
Corbett Gibson and Garfield as members on
the part of the ways and means committee to
take into confederation the losses of revenue
arising from the alleged evasion of stamp tax
on cigars and other articles subject to excise
duty.
On motion of Mr.. Bouck the Senate joint
resolution authorizing the secretary of war to
loan flags, tents and camp equipage fol-
soldiers reunion at Milwaukee in June next
passed.
On motion of MIR. Dibrell the bill passed
authorizing the secretary of war to turn over
certain condemned cannon to the government
of South Carolina.
On motion of Mr.. Valentine the bill passed
for the relief of settlers on public lands. 1t
provides when pre-emption, homestead or
timber culture claimant has filed written re-
linquishment of his claim in the local land
office, the land covered by such claims shall be
open to entry without further action on the
part of the commissioner OF the public land
office.
MIR. Sparks, chairman of the committee on
military affairs, reported joint resolution ap
pointing managers for the national homes for
disabled soldiers and volunteers. Referred to
the committee of the whole.
The House then went into committee OF the
whole, NIr. Whitthorne in the chair, on the
Indian appropriation bill.
The pending amendment providing that all
bids for provisions for Indians and for transport
tation shall be opened and contracts awarded at
some suitable place in the Mississippi or Mis-
souri, Valleys was ruled out on point of order.
Mr.. Hooker moved to strike out the section
appropriating $4,000 for expenses of Indian
commissioners. There was no necessity for
this commission. There might have been at
one time a reason for its creation, but there
was none for continuance. 1t was fttnctaS
offcio. He was opposed to anybody having
control in the Indian bureau
who was not a bonded
officer %fiC Of the Government. The difficulty in
the management of Indian affairs was that
there was too many men in the country, too
nnapv people who had q voice in the expendi-
lure of the money. He would, when the proper
portion of the bill was reached, offer an amend
ment dispensing with all supernumerary officers
with the Indian commission and with the vast
army of people who lived at the expense of
the government and the Indians.
Mr. Haskell opposed the amendment. 1t his
Democratic friends struck down the Indian
commission which had a supervisory power,
they would hereafter have to be silent as to
swidling agents and wormy meat.
Mr. Scsles believed the commission was ut
terly useless though 1t was composed of honest
men More corruption and impurity had ex-
isted in Indisn affairs since the appointment
of the commission than ever before.
Mr. Belford inquired whether the commits
sion had not rendered incalculable service to
the country in getting rid OF the late commits
sioner of Indian affairs.
MIR. Scales replied he did not know of any
other instance in which the commission had
been instrumental in ferreting out fraud.
Mr.. Hooker modified his amendment SO as
to not only strike out the appropriation for ex
penses of the commission, but also to repeal
the statues providing for the appointment of q
commission. The amendment as modified wa:
adopted without division.
Quite discussion arose IS to the necessity
of retaining Indian police at various agencies
In opposing the amendment offered by Mr.