National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1885-01-23
THE OKLAHOMA RESOLUTIONS.
An Extended Debate on Thorn in the Senate
Mr.. Ellis and the psinter Latter

Mr.. Ellis and the Painter Letter.
In the senate yesterday the Oklahoma reso-
buttons offered by Mr. Plumb and Mr.. Vest
were called up. Mr.. Vest withdrew his reso-
luton In doing so he took occasion to say
that there could be no doubt whatever that as
the laws stood the Oklahoma lands we're not
At this timo subject to settlement by white
people. The President therefore was unable
70 DO otherwise than as ne had done MI.
Vest explained the condition Of the Oklahoma
question, aud said he was astonished TO SEQ
that statements had been made nt the other
end Of the capitol TO the effect that the Presi-
dent In his action In this matter, was violating
tho law Nothing could be farther from the
TACT. The President was compelled 70 execute
the law, and the law was clearly and unques-
tionably against permitting white settlers 70, go
on these lands. Mr.. Vest believed IL inevitable
that the lands would, In time, be opened up
70 such settlers, but that time was not now.
He expressed the hope that congress would
now take action on the matter and avert blood
shed. The remaining rights OF the Indians TO
the lands In question should be purchased and
paid for.
Mr. Dawes wished to obvis,e tho shedding Of
blood, but the supremacy OF the law was one
thing upon which there could be no possible
question. II must DO maintained AT whatever
cost. lie had observed that western logisla
ture advocated the immediate opening up OF
the oklahoma lands, and that elsewhere the
President was charged with violating the law
IN the course he has .puraued, This was sim
ply taking the side OF lawbrcakers,
Mr. Harrison suggested that the committee
on Indian affairs might ut once report uniayor-
ably on the petition recently presented TO the
senate. which prayed for the opening
up OF the Oklahoma country. On the question
OF adopting such report the yeas and nays
might be called and q record Of !he sense (. OF
effect 10 prevent the conflict now threatened.
Mt. Maxey said this was good opportunity
for the government TO put Its seal OF condcm-
nation upon lawlessness.
Mr.. Plumb believed that most OF the people
that went into the Oklahoma country went
there under the conviction that they had
legal right to do 80.
Mr., Maxey did not see how they could en-.
terrain such conviction, since they had been
had no such right.
Mr., Plumb expressed the opinion that tho
lands could be opened to settlement by con.
gress and the President without the consent Of
the Indiana Tho Oklahoma country stood as
barrier between great states, aud while with.
held from public use would be subject OF
Irritation and annoyance. The Indians the M
| selves, Mr.. Plumb thought, would come v see
that their interests lay In the direction OF con-
cession, and In removal OF the present anon
alous condition OF things. If prompt action
were taken Mr.. Plumb had no DOUBT that an
| entirely lust and peaceful solution OF the din
| Guilty would be arrived at with due regard to
the rights Of the Indians.
Mr.. Plumbs resolution, calling on the Prcsi-
| dent for his yiows Of the present status OF the
| oklahoma lands, was then agreed to.
Mr.. Vest then rcoilered his resolution d.
rooting the secretary OF the treasury to ascer.
!ai 6 and report upon what terms The Creek 81.
| their remaining rights to the lands in qucs
ton. He requested that the resolution lie
over until to-day, when he will mako Il more
comprehensive. The resolution was laid over
| accordingly.
The senate then lat 300 p. M on motion OF
| Mr.. Miller, OF California, went into executive
session. aud at 4:l5 the doors were reopened
and the senate adjourned.
In the house, yesterday the Indian rppro
priation bill was discussed In committee OF tho
| whole, and, afler action upon various proposed
amendments, the bill was reported the nous,
and passed
During the proceedings, Mr.. Rockwell, o
| Massachusetts, brought up the matter OF the
open letter written to Mr.. Ellis, Of Louisiana
BY O. Q. Painter, charging that the approprla
| lions made Tor the Montana Indians were in
suiliclent, and criticising the speech made I
few days ago by Mr.. Ellis, declaring that the
statements made therein were false. Mr.. Pain
| terwas gentleman of an unstained record, ant
OF an Integrity which had never been i'm
peached. He called upon Mr.. Ellis to show
wherein the statements made in the lette
were false.
Mr.. Ellis replied that he had never yet seer
the letter, but he had gathered his information
| regarding II from editorial comment II he dlI
not brand G.. G. Painter with falsehood h
would make him an ample apology,
| Mt INOVkWcll tnen rehu hT. fhlHtor letter
and paid high tribute tothe character OF tina
gentleman. lie (Mr. Rockwell) believed tina
on further consideration OF the matter tho frs
man in tho house to regret that he had mad
an attack on an honest man would DO the ger
tleman from louisiana
l subsequently, Mr. Ellis said that In tn
course OF debate he had been betrayed by al
inhrmity of temper into the the expression o
language which he greatly regretted. II,
Withdrew that language and made his &c
acknowledgement to the house. lin this Mr.
Ellis had reference to the controversy OF
Wednesday last between himself aud Mr.
Holman.l
Mr.. Holman thereupon remarked that thu
apology was satisfactory to him, and that he
withdrew any improper remarks made b.
him.
Then, for the purpose OF pointing out what h
termed the misstatement and falsehoOd con
tanned in the Painter letter. Mr. ELLIS said h
had no apology to make 10 Mr. Painter. II,
commended him to the study of the story o
Ananias and TO a careful consideration OF tn,
ninth commandment.