The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1884-12-04
Leasing of Indian Lands by
Corporations Debated in
the Senate.
Slight Breeze in House Over a
Resolution to Investigate
Armed Officers.
Various Notes and Happenings
From all Portions of
the Country.
WASHINGTON,
Assembling of Congress and Opening of
the Senate and House.

Was preceded by a lively half-hOur
hand-shaking and gossip between
senators and their friends. Several
desks of senators were decorated with
floral tributes sent by admirers. The
most favored in this respect being
Senator German, who was recipient
of two enormous ''roosterS," and an
arm chair, the latter bearing the words
Reserved for A. p. G., 1887" Senator
Jones desk also bore a rooster, while
those OF Senators ingalls,, Maxey, Har-
ris, Sabin, VOORHEES,, Camden, Conger
and Lapham, were variously decorated
with horSe-shoes, stars and baskets.
The gallery was well filed with
strangers.
Promptly at noon, the president of
the senate called that body to order
and prayer was offered.
On motion of Mr.. Logan the secre-
tary was instructed to inform the
house that the senate was ready to
proceed to business.
MeSSrs. Sherman and Garland were
appointee committee to inform the
president that the senate was ready
to receive any communication he
might ne please to make.
The secretary read the credentials of
VIM. p. Sheffield, appointed to fill the
vacancy caused by the death of Sena-
tor Anthony.
The senate then took a recess for
half an hour.
Bills introduced and referred:
By Mr.. Cullom-To prohibit dis
tinctioR being made in the military
service Of the United States against
any class of American citizens; also to
enable officers of the army promoted
for gallant and distinguished services
in the war of the rebellion to be re-
tired with the rank aud full pay of
the grade to which they have been
prom 7ted; also, to facilitate promo
ton throu Shont army by retiring
from active service, upon application,
officers of the army, who seTved in
the war Of the rebellion ;also to autho-
rize the lighting of the navigaOle
rivers of the United States with elec-
tricity
By Mr.. Dolph-To prevent the OBJ
struction OF navigable waters of the
United States and protect public
works against trespass or injury.
Mr.. Ingalls, offered q resolution
which was agreed to, instructing the
committee on public lands to report
such legislation as may be necessary
to authorize the secretary Of the in
terror summarily to remove all fences
illegally constructed on the public do
main.
Another recess of half an hour was
taken.
AT :35 the presidents message was
received aud the reading at once pro-
ceeued with.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 1. = Though
the galleries of the house were well
dlled this morning with spectators, all
anxious to view the proceedings at
tendant on the first day of
the session, there was an alb
sence of that crush of Wis
itors which usually characterizes such
An occasion. Numerous floral designs
ornamentsd the desks of the favorite
members, and among them hand
some shin Of state of which Mr.. Cox
of New York was the recipient. An
iT-mense bed OF chrvsanthemums COW
cred tbs. desk occupied by Mr.. Barbour
of Virginia, and a tasteful basket OF
varigated flowers adorned the speaker S
table. Members INDUCED in the u.s.
ual greetings, exchanging congratu
lations on reelection or coincidence
on defeat. The republicans
made good natured replies of
equally good natured chafing of the
Democrats on the result of the presi-
| Dental contest, and there Was nc
bitterness on either side.
Promptly at noon the speakers call
ed the house to order.
After prayer the speaker directed
| the clerk to call the roll.
| Roll call disclosed the presence OF
222 members, and the clerk was direc
ted to Inform the senate that the
house was ready to proceed to busi-
ness.
The speaker appointed Messrs. Ran
dali, Cox, n. Y, a committee to wait
! upon the president in conjunction
with a similar committee from the
senate, and inform him congress wa:
ready to receive any communication
he might be pleased to make.
Mr.. Holman presented the creden-
tials Of Mr.. SheYelv, member elect Of
the thirteenth Indiana district, tt
succeed Calkins. resigned, and thai
ger tleman took the oath of Office.
The house took a recess of ffteeI
minutes,
at 40 the presidents message wa:
received and Immediately read.
The message was referred to the
committee OF the whole on the STATE
of the Union, and with accompany
ing documents ordered to be printed.
Mr.. Hutchins, from the committed
on appropriations reported bill max
ing temporary provision for naval ser
Wees. Referred to committee of tn
whole.
A formal announcement was mad
of tbs death of Representative Dun
can. and Evans, and the house al
joufned.
SENATE.
MI. Sheffield, senator from Rhod
Island, was sworn in.
, The chair laid before the senate tn
reports of the secretary of the treas
! ury and the comptroller of currency
Mr.. Vest offered resolution direct
ing investigation into all leased land
in the Indian territory-for graZin
OF other purposes-by Indian tribes
the number of acres embraced in sal
lands; the terms and persons or col
, porations becoming the lessees; ais
. all the circumstances under whic
|. the leases were maIe; the means use,
: in obtaining the leases, and whethe
authorized by law.
> Mr.. Vest said he had informaiio
) that these leases were obtained froI
Indians by corruption, fraud an
. bribery. and some Indian councils ha
been influenced by the worst practice
of civilization. Mr.. Vest criticize
the course of the interior departmeI
in protecting the leases. they being,
K claimed, in direct contravention of I'll
revised statutes.
: Mr.. Dawes remarked the leases hs
: been made by the Indians themselve
e The secretrry of the interior, whi
4 Withholding his consent, had held 1t III
i his duty to interfere, under the in
4 preston the leases were for ben
}. fit Of the Indians Mr.. Dawi
/ thought this mistaken vie
' and that the matter should be locke
i into and remedy applied: otherwi
q every foot of land in the Indian te
o ritorY had been properly leased, M
II NJ Jfey said he knew the large Grac
q referred to had been leased at ridic
b lousy low figures. Hethought an
v Yestigation called for.
Mr.. Harrison thought if the circur