The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1881-02-02

cussed the Ponca question. XIX Wooo
CRITICIZED Dawes for labOrously trying
10 csst discredit on the United States
for its acts, where no such discredlt
was properly attributable. The secre-
tsry bad furnished ell the information
necessary and in ample time as 10
the killing OF Big Snake. That In
iian was insubordinate and had often
left his reservation and had resisted
arrest, declaring he would rather
die than submit. In shooting, the
soldier supposed him armed. although
il afterwards seemed that he was not.
Dawes feelings had beclouded his
| Judgment. He did not believe that
Dawes had intended bis recently pub
lished statement respecting Secretary
Schurz, participation in the congress
sional Investigations, to reflect on
him (Kirkwcod), as chairman OF
the Senate committee. but such
might be the differences. There
had been a theory advanced that
the secretary Of the interior had
been guilty OF bsseness and dishonor,
of intimidating the Poncas into com
ing to Washington, and saying they
we're satisfied with the land the secre-
tary had given them, and in his taken
interest in disproving this theory.
Dawes disclaimed any intention Of
rejecting on Kirkwood, but he had
objected to a cabinet officer being 10
the committee room Of the examining
commission on the preparation O.
their report to the President, which
mad not yet been published, and he
objected 10 the general conduct of the
secretary in the matter. in having a
stenogrspher to Gull an abstract for
the Associated Press, without the psr-
mission of the committee. The sub
ject was finally dropped.
The Chinese treaties we're reported
with recommendation for ratification.
Logan wanted the Grant retirement
bill made the special order OF Thurs
day.
Vest and Eaton objected.
Logan said he thought if the Sen
ate could listen to hours' debate on a
dead Indian, it might be disposed to
find q little time for live general.
The pension bill was then taken
up in committee OF the whole, and
the Senate amendments were Rgreed
to-.
Booth, in charge OF the bill, sub.
mitted an amendment, which be said
had the approval OF three members
of the pension committee, to who O
be had had an opportunity to show 1t,
appropriating, to supply deficiencies
for the fiscal year of 'S1, ST. ,692. 900.
namely: tor the pension for army in
yalids and their widows, minors and
dependent relatives, including arrears
to survivors of the war OF 1872, and
their widows; provided, the amount
expended for each OF the above items
shall be accounted for separately.
The amendment also sppropriates for
navy pensions, invalies, widows,
minors and dependent relatives,
$500, ga; provided the appropriation
Aforesaid for navy pensions, shall be
paid from the income OF the naval
pension fund, 90 far as the Same may
be sufficient for that purpose; and
provided, further, that the amount
expended fer each of the above items,
shall be accounted for separately. 1t
also appropriates $4,000 for the fees
of examining surgeons as provided by
the several acts of Congress. The
amendment was adopted.
Ingalls, moved an amendment to
the bill by striking out the provision
requiring accrued pensions to be
paid by the commissioner of pensions
in installments. After debate, par
ticipated in by ingalls,, Beck, Withers
and Logan, the amendment was re-
jected-ayes %, noes &c.
Withers moved to amend by adding
to the first section. the provisions OF
the bill for the examination and ad-
Indication of pensions claims, COM
monty known as THE sixty surgeon
BILL"
Davis, Of West Virginia, favored
the amendment. In renewing the
figures OF the commissioner of pen
sions, he commented particularly
upon the showing that the pension
roll of the war OF 1872 contained the
names OF 10, 600 survivors, and 5000
widows, although the war had 90
Cured seventy years ago and
assumed that the commissioners
estimate of $500, 600. 900 of expendi-
lures sixty years hence, on account
of the late war, was not an excessive
one. Davis asserted his belief that
the pension rolls contained many
fraudulent cases, and under more
efficient legislation government would
be enabled to save 5000. 900 to &c.
600. 600 per year.
Pending a motion for executive se5-
sion, the chairman laid before the
Senate message from the President,
with accompanying documents, in
reference to the Ponca Indians. The
reading OF a message from the Presi-
dent upon its presentation being a
usage OF the Senate, the requirement
was technically com piled with, at the
suggestion of Edmunds, by reading
the initiatory portion, when the mes
sage was informally laid aside, snd
without disposing Of the bill the SEN