The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1881-02-02
l7sIsgrGphsdtoths Rock TsIGnd Argue
To-Dav's Dispatches.
To-Day's Happenings.
An Important Message
from President Hayes.
Stormy Scenes i'm the En-
g1ish Parliament.
Criminal Ca1endar.-Casu-
a1ties, Etc.
Pennsylvania Senatorshil
HOUSE.

HOUSE.
WASHINGTON, Feb. "A resolution
was adopted asking the Secretary of the
Interior, for any papers of his office within
Is months making complaints or charges
against any Indian agent or officer in the
Indian service. and what steps have been
taken to prosecute.
The Presidents message was received
with q report of Ponea com mission. Presi-
dsnqt uotes from various reports on the
subject and says: The commission adds
very little to known facts. However. the evi-
dencs bsfore the commissioners and their
recommendation show conclusively whai
measure Of redress the government ought
to adopt. Commission fails to state the
present condition Of the Ponoas in the
Indian Territory, but evidence conclusive.
ly shows that they are satisfied. healthy,
comfortable. and freely and firmly decided
to adhere to their present quarters, and
not return 70 Dakota and Nebraska. a
remnant now in Dakota prefer to remsin
there. They number $50. The
president is therefore confident that con-
sistsnt solution of the Poucas question
agreeable to Pono2s and to the policy OF
government is assured. Our general
Indian Policy should embrace the follow
ing ideas:
First,-Prepars Indians for citizenship
By seducating the young OF bothssexes.
Sscond-Lands should be allowed to
Indians in severalty in alinable for Ger
tain period.
Third-Fair compensation to Indians
for their lands and the amounts paid to be
suitably invested for sheirs benefit.
Fourth-These prerequisites secured
the Indians should be invested with the
rights and responsibilities of citizenship.
The president therefore recommends
legislation authorizing the Secretary Of
the Interior to secure to individual Poncas
in sevsralty. sufficient land for their sup
port. inalisnable for a term of years or
until restriction on alienation may be re-
moved by the president. LIST members
have ample time to choose their allot-
msnts on new or old reservation, Give
them full pay for lands rslinquishsd and
losses By Sioux depredatioDs and By re-
moval to Indian Territory and amount
not to be less than named by Chiefs.
Dec. 9th last, Nothing should be left
undone to show the Indians the govern
ment regards their rights equally sacred
with those of it's citizens. The time has
come when the policy should be to place
Indians rapidly Is practicable upon the
same footing with other permanent inhab
isants OF this country.
I do not undertake TO apporsion blame for
Injustice done Poncas. Whether the
executive or congress, or the public is
chiefly in fault is not now question of
practical Importance As the chief exsc
utive at the time when the wrong was
consummated. I am deeply sensible
enough OF the responsibility for the great
wrong, justly attaches, to make it my
personal duty and earnest desire to do all
[ can to give these Indian people that
measure OF redress which is required
alike by justice and by humanity.
r. B. HAYES.
Executive Mansion. Feb. 1st. 1881.
The house then went into committee on
the District Of Columbia appropriation