The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1881-02-01
CONGRESSIONAL.
PROCEEDINGS IN TIE TWO HOUSES
YESTERDAY.
Senator Dawes Champions the Indians
AEain-LOgan Compliments SchuFE-
A blow In the House nj TeIe-
graph Monopoly = Various
other Matters Of Interest.
SENATE.

WASHINGTON, January 81. - Senator
Baldwin, ol Michigan, took his seat to-
day.
Mr., Dawes addressed the Senate ON the
killing Of Big Snake, the Ponca Chief, by
soldiers, in the Office Of the agent OF the
PoncRS, in lndianTerritory. AT his sugges'
ton the response OF the Interior Depart.
ment, under date Of January 9th, 1881, to
asenate resolution Of inquiry Of March II,
1880, or nine months before, was read,
Commenting upon the extraordinary de,
lay in the response, and intimating that it
was intentional, Mr.. Dawes next detailed
the circumstances OF the killing. The
methods Of the Indian Department were
sCathingly criticised as un-American and
VindiCtiVe. Mr., Dawes concluded by pre-.
senting q protest from Standing Bear and
thirty.hve others against the sale of their
old reservation, and requesting Continu.
ance Of their annuities, &c.
Mr.. Logan, replying to what he thought
might be construed as reflection on the
Interior Department In the remarks lust
made, euloglSed the course Of the head OF
that department and It's general manage.
ment OF late years as having been as hon.
est, capable, fair and Just as that OF any
other department OF the Government.
Mr.. Dawes denied that a single word
had ever fallen from his lips In the dis.
paragement Of the general policy OF the
Indian Department or It's head. On the
contrary, except TO this particular trans.
action, he had frequently commended
the course o that department; but the
mystery for that reason was only greater,
that no effort had been made 10 remove
the stain put upon its record In this mat.
ter, with reference to one OF the most
peaCeable and honest bands OF men that
ever lived under our flag.
Mr.. Plumb, replying to Mr.. Davis, said
that the Indian agent whom that Senator
denounced as cowardly, was q man whom
he knew 10 be above reproaCh, and who
served for years In the army. Assuming
that the killing was not justihable, he
thought the most that could be said about
1t was that the agent had undertaken a
plan for the arrest OF the Indian, resulting
In his murder, which result was uninten.
tional.
Mr.. Kirkwood said he would ask to sub.
NIT some reply To Mr.. Dawes tomorrow.
The Senate resumed the consideration OF
the Indian fundamentally bill, the
question being on Mr.. Morgan's amend.
ment to dispense with the requirement for
the assent Of two.thirds OF q tribe before
lands can be taken lnseveralty.
After some remarks by Mr.. Logan, In
favor, and OF Mr.. Saunders In opposition,
the amendment was rejected. Ayes 10, noes
10.
Mr.. Plumb submitted and advocated an
amendment 10 allow allotments TO be taken
by individual members OF tribe which
does not consent to take lands, and pro.
viding that In such event the tribal rela.
ton shall be broken up.
After discussion Mr.. Plumb modified his
amendment at the suggestion OF Mr.. Ed.
munds, 80 as to omit It's latter feature.
The amendment then prevailed, without
objection,
On motion oil Mr.. Hoar, the amendment
prohibiting the punishment OF Indians for
polygamy, who at the time OF allotment
were praCticing the same, was amended 80
as 10 make 1t applicable to Indians who
are citizens Of the States. The bill was
laid over without action, and ordered
printed.
Adjourned. ..