The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1881-02-02

the Senate Special Committee and ques
toned on the matter, II mis- Kirk
wood'sl own judgment was they shoulc
come before that Committee, not tina
any thing In their formal report NIGH
be inquired into, but that very truth 81
to the deposition Of the Indians might bi
RsCertained.
Mr.. Kirkwood went on to say that he
had eRdeAvored, throughout the investiga
ton to act with strict impartiality, and
with an eye singly to the ascertainment oI
the truth,
Mr.. Dawes disClaimed having intended
to cast any reflection upon the Chairman
Of the Committee, Kirkwood] and said he
was glad Of the opportunity to state thus
publicly what he had assured that Senator
Of in private. His criticism had been
based on the fact that he had found in
the Committee room, a Cabinet officer ex'
amining the Commission appointed by
the President, aud who had made report
OF their dolngs 10 the President, which re.
port, excepting an extract thereirom, had
net been made public; also upon the man
ner in which that examination was con
ducted, and also the fact that without the
knowledge OF the Committee, what had
been thus testified before the Commit
mittee under these extraordinary Circum'
stances, (the Secretary having stenograph'
or with him) had been furnished by thai
officer in the Cu'led extracts to the Asso,
Ciated Press and sent abroad over the land
without the permission OF the Committee
or It's Chairman, and that the report thus
made had largely failed to represent the
testimony that had already been given be
fore that tune. He did not regret the ex'
preston OF his opinion Of 1t, Mr., Dawes
then reviewed Kirkwood's statement,
claiming that the Secretary's response to
the Senate resolution, though delayed, did
not contain all the papers In the case, par.
tiCularly the one upon which II was alleged
the Department had given orders for the
arrest Of Big Snake by the soldiers.
He also quoted from the testimony
to show that there was no sufficient
warrant for representations oil the PonCa
agent that he was in danger from Big
Snake, and further that the witnesses, not
he, had characterized the killing as a vii.
full, deliberate murder. The object OF the
resolution OF inquiry had been to give the
Secretary OF the Interior an opportunity,
II he or his department was exCnsable, 10
wash his hands Of tho matter, and that he
did not 80 was the subject Of com
plant and amazementto those who called
on him. At this point tho subject was
dropped.
Mr.. Logan said he had intended calling
up the Grant Retirement bill to-day, but
not having the opportunity he wished,
with unanimous consent, 10 make 1t q
special order for Thursday.
Messrs. Vest and Eaton objected, tho
latter remarking that he thought the bill
could wait week longer without injury
to 1t or the public,
Mr.. Logan said he thought that when
the Senate could afford to listen to an
hours talk about dead Indians II might be
disposed to find q little time for q live
General.
Alter the discussion Mr.. Logan gave
notice OF his Intention 10 move 10 take up
the bill tomorrow.
The pension appropriation bill was taken
up In the Committee OF the Whole. The
amendments OF the Senate committee
were agreed to. They restrict the fee oil a
surgeon for examination to one dollar and
provide that pensions payable 10 inmates
OF the National Home for disabled voluteer
soldiers shall be paid to the treasurers oi
the home instead Of directly to the pen
sioner.
Pending the motion for the executive
session the chair laid before the Senate a
message from the President with accom-
panying documents In reference 10 the
removal OF the Ponca Indians. The
reading OF the message from the Presi
dent upon It's presentation being
the usage Of the, Senate the requirement
was technically complied with, at the sug.
gestion OF Mr.. Edmunds, by reading the
initiatory portion, when the message was
informally laid aside, and without dispos'
ing OF the bill, the motion for an execu.
tive session prevailed.
When the doors were reopened, the
Chinese treaties were reported, with rec.
concentrations for ratification, and placed
on tho calendar.
The Senate adjourned.