The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1881-02-03
desired 10 express bis dissent from the CON.


desired 10 express bis dissent from the con.
illusions OF the Senators from Ohio and
Georgia Thurman aud HWY on that poin'.
lie said the constitutional PROVISIONS nbdef
which the act OF Congress was passed pro-
yided that Congress "may" prescribe the
day, and that II Il shall undertake TO exer-
else the power Of prescribing ibe day II
shall" make the day uniform throughout
the country. He did not regard this IA
mandatory, either as TO the time or place OF
meeting. II for reasons over which hu-
man authority could have no control,
such az foreign Invasion, breach Of the
peace, or prevalence OF epidemic, Inc
electors OF State were prevented from
meeting at the State capital, the vote oil that
state ought nevertheless TO be counted Nv
Congress. lie thought that IN any such ease
Il would be proper TO make an execution,
and he would hesitate long before disIran-
chising a State under such circumstances.
\ short colIoquy followed between
Messr.. Hill, Jones, and Morgan, after
which Mr.. EdmundS'> amendment was re-
iocted by party vote ~ 10 %. ~
The discussion OF the resolution was then
resumed.
Mr.. Eaton sad he wanted the decision Of
the Senate on he disputed question whether
the President Of the Senate had the right 10
count the electoral vote. He Therefore
moved 10 amend that part OF the resolution
recurring The tellers OF the two bOuses to
make list Of the votes A. they shall be de-
clared by striking tbereirom the words 4" as
they shall be declared" AMI substituting ID
lieu thereof the words "aS the certificates
shall be opened by the President OF the
Senate"
Mr.. Thurman opposed Mr.. Eaton's amend
ment rs unnecessary, for the reason that the
words "as they shall b. declared" bad
never been taken. even by implication, 10
convey the idea that the President OF The
Senate has The right TO count the vote III the
sense Of deciding for whom the vote was or
was not cast.
The discussion was continued by Messrs.
Blaine, Thurman, Morgan, Hill, Eaton.
| Bayard, and others.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
| Mr. Scales, OF North Carolina. chairman
J OF the Committee on lnGlan Affairs. re.
ported back the resolution calling on The
! Secretary OF The Interior for copies OF all
paDers which have been filed in his office
| during the lasr eighteen months relating TO
complaint, and charges against any Indian
AGENT, inspector, clerk, or other officer IN
as to what steps have been taken to prose
cute The same. Adopted.
The Speaker laid before the House mes
SAGE from the President Transmitting the
report OF the. commission appointed 10 as
certain the facts relative TO the removal Of
the Pnncl tlibe OF ludiahs 10 The Indian
Territory, and inquire into lis present n
dtiOn, and also the declaration made b. tho
chief. Of that tribe setting form the com
pensaion when they will accept for then
lands and for iniITies done 20 The trlT by
its .emOyal 10 the ludIan Territory. Alter
,quofing from the reports OF the secretary
Of ,he Interior, Agent +. llOWmd. and ~
Senate committee upon The subject. th'
President says: The report OF the com
mission appointed by me and the tesii
mopy taken bv them add very little Il
, what was ALREADY contained IN the officla
REPORTS Of The Secretary OF she Interior an'
the report of the Senate committee touch
1 inc the Injustice done TO the POncl Indian
by their removal to Indian Territory
Uappily, however, the evidence aS reported
by the commission. aud their recommends
lions point out corciu>vCly the true mea
SIRE Of redress which the Government O
y the United STATES ought now 10 adopt. To
commission IN its conclusions omit to STAT
the important lacr a. TO the preSen
e condition OF POncas in Innian Teri
tory: but the evidence they have re
, ported shows clearly and conspicuous
that the Poncas now residing in til
Territory. 52l in number. are satiste
with their new home, ana That they ar
, healthy, comfortable, and cOnienlrd, an
. that they have freely and firmly decided l
adhere 10 the choice announced in lelte
OF October %, 1880, and a declaration OF Do
; cember u, 1880, TO remain in the lndia
Territory and not TO return to Dakota Tel
C ritory. The evidence IN the report ais
shows that fragment OF the POnca irlDe-
perhaps $50 in number-which Is still IN Da
I kOta and Nebraska, prefer TO remain
C their old reservation.
= In view OF these facts, ! am cOntider
I that the recommendation OF the commission
? together with the declaration OF the chief
a Of December last, If substantially followed
: will afford solution OF the Ponca question
a which is consistent with the wishes and in
: tercst Of both branches Of the tribe. Wit
= settled IndiaG policy Of the GOvernmen
e and as nearly Is practicable with The d'
| mandS .of Justice, our general Indian polio
G for the future should embrace the f0llOwn
} ideas:
+ 1st. The Indians should be prepared IL
citizenship by giving 10 their Young OF bot
sexes that industrial and general educhllo
which is requisite 10 enable them to be sell
supporting and capable OF Self-protectl0nl
civilized communities.
e %. The lands should be allotted to th
| Indians in severaliy inalIenqble for a certai
period.
! 3D.. The Indians should have fair c0mper
. salon for their lands not quIred for ind
= yidua allotment. the amount TO be lnVeSte
I with suitable safeguards for their beneilt.
4th. With these Prerequisites secured, Ia
= Indians should b. made citizens ana lDVes
g ed with the rights and charged with the II
, sponSihihty Of citizenship. ! Is therefor
. recommended that legislation be adopted
regard to the Ponca Indians authorizin
the Secretary Of the Interior TO secure I
e individual members OF the POnca tribe !
sevrraiv sufficient land for their support
inaIienab'e for a term Of wears, or uni
the rcSiYic'io ion on alienation may be II
moved by the President. Ample tim
, land oppOrtunity shall be given to tn
+ members OF the tribe freely 10 choose thei
| allotments, either on their new or old resel
yations. Full compensation should be mad
2 for the lands to be relinqulshed and 10
; losses TO them by the Sioux depredatinS b
, reason Of their removal to the Indian Tel
r ritorv. the amount named in the Gecaratlo
Of the chief made on ID, cember y, 1885,
I'm short, nothing should be left undone {
show TO the Indians that the GOyernmer
Of the United States regards their right
1 As equally sacred with those OF IFS CIT
zens. The time has come when The pole
should be to place the Indians as rapidly 4
rr,o,jcoblo on Tho same footing with OihC