The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1881-02-03
HOUSE.

Washington, "A resolution was
adopted asking the secretary of the
interior for shy papers in his Office,
within eighteen months, making
complaints or charges against any
Indian egent or officer in the Indian
service, and what steps had been
taken TO prosecute.
The Presidents message, with the
report of the Ponca commission,
quotes from various reports on the
4ubject, and says the commission add
very little to known facts az given in
other reports. However, the evil
dencs before tbs commission and
their recommendation shows con-
clusively what measures of redress
government ought to adopt. The
commission fail to state the present
condition of the Poncas in Indian
Territory, but the evidence con-
elusive ly shows that they are Satisfied.
healthy, comfortable and freely and
6rmly decided to adhere to their
present quarters and not return to
Dakota. The remnant DOW in D&-
kota prefer 10 remain there. They
number probably $50. The President
is therefore confident that consistent
solution of the Ponca question, agree
able TO the PoncAs and to the policy
Of government, is assured. Our gen.
eral Indian policy should embrace
the following ideas: Prepare the In.
dams for citizenship By educating the
young of both se1es; lands De allotted
to Indians in seVeralty, inalienable
for certain period; compensation TO
Indians for their lands, and the
amounts paid to be suitably invested
for their benefit. These prerequisites
secured, the Indians should be invested
with the rights and responsibilities of
citizenship. The President therefore
recommends legislation authorizing
the secretary of thu interior to secure
to Individual Poncas in severalty
sufficient land for their support, in
Allenable for term OF years, or until
the restriction on the alienation may
be removed by the President. Let
the members have ample time to
choose their allotments on a new or
the old reservation. Give them fnll
pay for the lands relinquished and
losses by Sioux depredstiOus, and by
removal to Indian Territory, the
amount not to be less than named by
the chief on December 9th last.
Nothing should be LETT undone to
shew the Indians tina! government re.
CARDS their rights as equally sacred
With those OF its citizens. The time
has come when the policy should be
to place the Indians as rapidly as
practicable on the same footing with
Their permanent inhabitants of this
country. do not undertake to sp
portion the blame for the injustice
done the Poncas. Whether the execu-
tive. or Congress. or the public is
chiefly in fault is not O question OF
practical importance. AS chief ex.
scutive, at the time when the wrong
was contaminated, am deeply sens
Ible that enough of the responsibility
for that wrong Justly attaches to me
to make it my personal duty and
earnest desire to do all Can to give
10 these Indian people that measure
Of redress which is required ALIKE By
ustice and by humanity.
(Signed) RUTHERFORD B. HAYES.
The message was ordered printed,
md referred to the COMMITTEES on In
liam affairs.
The posi- route bill was reported
rom the committee on postofice and |
passed.
Knott, from the judiciary commit
ee, submitted report touching the
light of the Senate to originate sppro-
,riation bills. Ordered printed, and
committed.
Townshend introduced q bill which
vas referred to the committee on
7sys and means, in regard to the
uties on manufactured iron, etc.
The House then went into commit
De on the District of Columbia sp-
bill.
After some amendment, the bill
assed, IA to "a.
A communication from the secre-
AIRY OF the interior. transmitting the
tie commission report and CORES
ondence WITH the governor OF COL
RADIO concerning the U,es, was Or
cred printed.
Atkins reported the legislative bill,
ppropriating s17. 100000. Ordered
rinted.
A struggle ensued for the floor,
reagan pressing the regular order, the
Interstate commerce bill, Cox the
aapportionment bill, as privileged
uestion, and Sparks the Fitz-Jo9n
'orter bill.
Cox said the apporiiopmeut might
ave 81, 600. 600 to So, 900, COO expense,
nd although Resgan's bill was i'm
ortant, it was not likely TO pass the
enate, even if il passed the House.
The House, by vote OF SO TO $50,
efused to consider the inter-.iate
ommerce bill.
Pending further action, the Speaker
resented a message from the Presi-
ens, transmitting for consideration
nd appropriate action by Congress s
slter from the secretary of the navy,
commenting an appropriation Of
200, 900 for the establishment of
avail stations on the American 18TH.
aus. This paper, says the President, II