St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1884-12-03
OUR LAW MAKERS.
4 Resolution by Senator Vest to
Investigate Alleged Frauds
in indian Lands.
Mr.. FOllett. OF Ohio, Wants an Inves-
tigation of the United States
Marshal Fraud in Ohio.
Just Indignation Expressed by Different
Members on the Action OF Said
United States Marshal
Senate.

Seuale.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 2.-ssuator Sheffield.
the new senator from Rhode Island, was
sworn in.
The chair laid before the senate the reports
OF the secretary OF the treasury and comp
trolier of The currency.
Senator Vest offered resolution directing
that an investigation be made into al leases
Of land in the Indian territory fo- grazing
OF other purposes by the Indian trib,s. the
number OF acres embrsced in said leases,
their terms snd the persons or corporations
becoming tie iessees, the circumstances un-
der which the leases we're made. the means
used in obtaining the leases and
whether authorized by law. Senator Vest
said be had information that these leases
were obtained from the Indians by corrup-
ton, fraud and bribery, aud some Indian
councils have been influenced by the worst
practices Of civilization. Senator Vest cr.ti-
cisea the course Of the interior department
In protecting such leases; they being. he
cialned, In direct violation oi the United
States laws
Senator Dawes remarked the laws haTing
been made by the indians themselves the
secretary of the interior, while withholding
his consent, bad held that Il vas not his duty
to Interfere, under the impression the leases
were for the benefit OF the Indians. Senator
Dawes thought this a mistaken view, and
that the matter seould be looked into aud 8
remedy applied. Otherwise every foot of
iaud n the Indian territory should be prop
crly leased.
Senator Maxey said he knew the large
tract Of land referred TO had been leased at
riciculously low figures. be thought inyestl-
CATION was loudly called for.
Senator Harrison thought II the circum-
stances were as stated, they con-
siituted an outrage; and II the
secretary of the iaterior did not
dvem himself authorized by law 10 interfere,
Joint resolution Of congress should be
passed making II his duty 10 do so.
Debate broadened into a general discus
sion OF Indian lands and supplies, Senator
Beck stating the government paid $40 Der
head for cattle worth Sl2.
Senator Dawes said these leases Of Indian
land, while wrong, were no more an outrage
than authorized enclosure by wire fences OF
thousands or acres of public lands. OF one
tract OF l02, 900 acres OF Indian lands IS, 900
acres were IN exclusive pnss :ssiOn OF out
sders. whose hordes consumed everything
that grew on 1t, while the Indian bureau had
been obliged TO advertise for beef 10 support
the Indians on whose reservations these
herds were feeding. Had the Indians used
the reservation for themselves they would
have supported themselves. Iu one instance
the Indians had in one year sold 1900
bushels OF wheat from q reservation now
occupied almost entirely by private individ-
uals, without any Power on the part OF the
govern nment to dispossess such individuals.
The evils consequent on leasing Indian
lands aud fencing in public lands, Davis
continued, imposed a grave duty on ongress
III remedial action was not taken in time the
public domain would pass irrevocably into
the possession OF large land owners, foreign
and native. He hoped the matter would not
he allowed TO end in talk, or be confined to
Indian lands alone. Congress had power 10
clothe the executive officers Of the gov,rn-
ment with ample authority in the premises,
and should do so.
AT the request of Senator Conger the mat
ter went over one day.
Adjourned.