Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1884-12-02
The Senate.


ceedings.
After the reading of the journal Mr.. W. p. Shef-
field, the new Senator from Rhode Island, was
sworn in.
PROPOSED INVESTIGATION OF LEASES IN THE INDIAN
TERRITORY.
Mr. Vest offered a resolution directing an inves-
tgation by the committee on Indian affairs into all
leases of lands in the Indian Territory for grazing
or other purposes by the Indian tribes the number
OF acres embraced in said leases. their terms and
the persons or corporations becoming the leSSees;
also, directing the committee to investigate all
the circumstances under which the leases were
made the means used in obtaining the leases re-
1erred to and whether such leases were authorized
by law.
CORRUPTION, FRAUD AND BRIBERY.
Mr. Vest said he had information going to show
that these leases were obtained from the Indians
by corruption, fraud and bribery; and that OF
the Indian councils had been influenced by of
the worst practices OF civilization. Mr.. Vest criti-
ciSed the course OF the Interior department In pro-
tecting such leases. they being, he claimed In di
rect cOntraVentlOn OF the Revised Statutes OF the
Cnitei States.
Mr.. Dawes remarked that the leases having been
made 10y the Indians themselves, the Secretary OF
the Interior. While withholding his consent had
held 1t not his duty to interfere under the impress
sion that the leases were for the benefit or the In
dllnS. Mr Dawes thought this mistaken view,
and that the matter should be looked into and a
remedy applied for the difficulty complained of:
otherwise every foot OF land in the Indian Territory
would be Improperly leased.
Mr. Beck hoped the investigation would be made
as broad as possible.
Mr.. MaXey said he knew of large tracts OF the
lands referred TO having been leased at ridcu-
lousy low lsures. He thought the investigation
Mr. Dawes doubted whether the subject could be
Territory
Mr. Harrison thought that ii the circumstances
were as stated they constituted
the Secretary OF the Interior did not deem himself
authorized Dy law TO interfere, joint resolution OF
do so.
The debate broadened into general discussion
OF Indian lands and supplies Mr. Beck stating that
the government paid $40 for cattle worth only sI2.
MI. Dawes said that these cases oil Indian lands
Willie wrong were 10 more outrageous than the
unauthorized incOSure by wire fences OF thousands
OF acres OF the public lands of the United States
or one track OF 1872 600 acres OF Indian lands as
many as $1,000 acres were in the absolute and ex-
elusive possession OF outsiders, whose herds con-
Suiied everything that grew on It, while the Indian
bureau had been obliged u advertise ior beef TO
supporttne indians on whose reservation those
herds were feeding.
Mr.. Conger hoped the resolution would be made
suficently comprehensive to afford fun protection
10 the Indians, and in order to afford time for pre-
iminary examination and consideration ne desired
the matter TO go over for one day.
The matter went over accordingly.
ADJOURNED.
The Senate then entered On the consideration OF
bills upon its calendar. but, without result at l:45
p m. adjourned Till tomorrow.
House OF Representatives.
Mr. Wilson towa) presented the credentials OF q.
G. Smith, as member elect from the seventh Iowa
district to I'LL the vacancy occasioned by the resg-
nation OF John A. kasson. Mr Smith appe red at
the bar OK the House nd took the oath OF Office
CHARGES AGAINST MARSHAL LOT WRIGHT.
Mr. Foiiett Ohio, as question OF privilege pre-
sented the following preamble and resolution:
do impeach Lot Wright. United States marshal
for the southern district OF Ohio, of high crimes
and misdemeanors l charge him with usurpation
OF power and violation OF law.
IN that he appointed a large number OF general
and special deputy marshais to at the several
voting precincts in the city OF Cincinnati in the
state OF Ohio. at an election for members OF Con.
grpss held Ia said city on the 14th day OF October
ana other deadly weapons Said to have been fur.
nished by the War department OF the T. s. govern
ment. In that large number OF deputy marshals so
appointed and armed were notorious criminals and
men OF known vicious and brutal habits and repu-
tation. and many OF them non.residents OF said
city OF Cincinnati, and OF said state OF Ohio. In
that the said deputy marshaiS, acting under his
orders and directions aided, abetted and en-
ccuraged fraudulent voting. intimidation OF voters
and gross OutrageS upon theelectve franchise and
the rights OF the honest voters OF said city in fur
therance OF the interests OF political party and
Its candidates; therefore.
ReSolced, That the committee on expenditures
IN the Department OF Justice. be required and Gi-
rected, as soon as the same can reasonably be
done to investigate such charges and report to
First How many deputy marshals, general and
special, were appointed and authorized by said
United states marshal for the southern district of
Ohio TO serve at the several voting precincts OF
said city. at said election, with the name and resi-
dence OF each, and the voting precinct to which
Second What citizens. II any, of said several pre-
ctnctS asked for the appointment OF such deputy
marshals, with the names oI such citizens and the
reasons, II any, were assigned for such request
Third. Whether any, and, II So how many, OF
such deputy marshals have, prior to such appoint
rlen OF known vicious and brutal habits and repu-
tations-
Fourth. Whether said deputy marshals were
under the direction and control of partisans, and
used the powers vested in them In the interest OF
any political party, and aided, countenanced and
encouraged fraudulent and iegitimate voting In
the interest OF such political party and its candl-
dates.
Fifth. What number and what kind OF pistols or
other deadly weapons were put into the hands OF
said deputy marShalS, who furnished the said wea-
pOns. from whence were they received, why fur
nished, and how many OF such weapons have been
returned, together with the names Of such deputy
marShalS as have failed to return the weapons fur
nished them.
Sixth What amount Of money has been paid to
such deputy marShaiS and By whose order was the
same pal j, and at what rate per day.
Seventh Any other matter or thing connected
with or germane to the general subject Of such in
Resolred, That in making such investigation the
said committee be empowered to appoint a sub
committee OF three, consisting OF the chairman OF
said committee and such other womembsrs there.
OF as he may select, which subcommittee shall
have full power to meet and hold its sessions at
such times and places as may seem proper, to send
for persons and papers, to compel the attendance
OF witnesses and TO require them to testify to en-
poy a stenographer and to incur any and all such
necessary and reasonable expenditures as may be
deemed requisite for the purposes of such inveStf-
CATION, such to be paid out OF the
tingent fund OF the House.
Mr. KEIFERs POINT OF ORDER.
Mr. Keifer Ohio made point OF order against
the reception Of the resolution The resolution
was proposition to investigate charges against
officers OF the United States It was not q uues-
ton Of impeachment which was presented, and 1t
would not make the resolution in order to say that
It looked towards impeachment.
Mr.. FOllett said that In the preparation OF this
resolution he had adopted the form furnished by
the Thirty ninth Congress when charges were pre-
ferred against President Andrew johnson. The
House certainly had the right TO inquire into the
conduct OF an officer with view OF impeaching an
officer which II had right to impeach.
THE sPEAKER's DECISION
The Speaker said that at the last session he had
decided that mere proposition to Investigate the
conduct OF public oficer. but which did not pro-
pose to impeach him, was not matter OF privilege
under the rules OF the House or under the cOnsIi-
tuition OF the United States But the pending reSo-
luton contained an impeachment The resolution
luli0n within the scope OF privileged question.
Mr.. Reed (Me) cOntended that In substance the
resolution was merely one for the purpose OF tnves
tigating certain specified matters The commit
to base upon them articles OF Impeachment. II
the resolution looked toward Impeachment, It
should 60 to the judiciary COMMITTEES. but II the
investigation simply had reference to expendi-
Jure In the Department OF Justice, the committee
on that subject had charge OF It properly.
Mr. Cox m YS controversial the mint NJ orfaop