New-York tribune., 1880-02-15
THE CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEES.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 14.-The subcommittee
OF the House Elections Committee met this morning 10
agree upon a report in the Donney- -washburn MIN
nesota) It decided to make no written report
Senator Kirkwood's special committee, investigating
the removal of the Ponca Indians from their
reservation in Dakota to the Indian Territory,
had before it to-day Colonel E. C. KemOle an
ex-Army officer and late Indian Inspector.
Mr. Kembe was the first inspector appointed under
President Grants administration. and served the
end Of his term February, 1873 He was the officer
who intrusted with the execution OF the orders
issued by the Interior Department under the OF Con
gress providing for the Poncas' removal His testimony
was substantially follows He visited the Ponca's
Secretary Of the Indian Commission OF the Episcopal
Church IN May and June. 1872. Witness accompanied
the late William Welsh and other friends OF these Indians
to their agency and participated n councils with them.
AT this time they divided into two bands full
bloods and hafbloOds-the former preponderating I'm
numbers and influence. The fubloods anxious TO
move from the reservation; the hafbloods generally
preferred to remain. White Eagle, Standing Bear
and others OF the ful-bloOds who subsequently
opposed removal then lin 1872 anX-
ious TO go; they wanted 10 live among
their kinsfOlk the Omahss in Nebraska and Mr. Welsh
visited the 0mabas and endeavOred to effect arrange
ment by which the POncss those who desired could
go there. but 1t faled his influence in Washington
caused them be placed the feeding list" for they
starving They were harassed by Spotted Tails
Brule Sioux; and besides this their little crops fire.
quently failed altogether
In January. 1877 he summoned TO Washington
by the Indian Commissioner j. O. Smith, to take steps
for their removal 10 be Indian Territory; the Comms
OF the previous year. consisting Of Bishop whpple
messrs. Moprypenny Boone and others, had, after
u investigation, recommended the removal Of Spotted
Tails the Missouri River. aud also advised that
the Poncas be removed, they had desired TO be.
Mr.. Kemhe read from his orders to show that the
moval OF the Poncas had been fully determined upon by
the Department He arrived the Ponca Agency about
January 3d. aud held three councils win all the head
chiefs and principal of the tribe AT the first couu-
ell they were uuitedy opposed 10 any change OF loca-
tiOn. Subsequent reasoning overcoming their preudices
agreed to give their lands and 20 to the
Indian Territory. provided the delegation after visiting
that Territory should he pleased with il and be allowed
TO go TO Washington 10 finish the negotiations; per-
MISSION TO 90 was obtained by telegraph from the
the negotiations be- settled before they could visit
Washington. They asked 10 consent to surrender
CATION being taken to the Indian Territory and this
sent formally given IN council at which all the
head chiefs and principal men we're present. on January
27 The Of this council produced before
the committee and shown 10 be properly certified
ton TO Iudiar Territory. Standing Bear one OF
the delegations and one of the Chiefs who bad consented
the Osge Agency the weather became bad, the roads
heavy. the strip Of country they had seen along
versed and the POncas
became honesick and asked TO be taken back TO their
homes Eight Of the delegation left him at night and
started back to their homes In Dakota afoot They ran
away from him because he refused take them home
until he received orders. Standing Bear was
one OF the leaders OF the revolt. He was
cmphatically assured by the Commissioner OF
Indian Affairs in telegram that the removal Of the
Poncas would be insisted upon. The consent OF tho
Indian Officer was obtained to the selection OF the
Quapaw Reserve and with the two Chiefs who remained
with him. Interpreter, agent and the Rev. :. ID. Human,
Colonel kemble Returned TO the PoDca Agency.
The committee at this point adjnurned until Monday.
The Senate Census Committee held a session ~ four
hours duration to-day which devoted mainly TO the
examination Of VoluminOus papers relating TO the nOm
nf "A a
and Southwestern States. The Georgia contested
OF the Rev. T. J. Simmons not brought before the
committee to-day. Favorable reports authorized
10 q made upon several of the NewYork nominations
and upon the Connecticut appointments