The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-02-17
PROCEEDINGS OF CONGRESS-.
THE SENATE.
Routine Business - Passage of the Indian |
Appropriation Bill.


Routine Business - Passage of the Indian
Appropriation Bill.
WASHINGTON Feb. 16.-Ths Chair laid before
the. Senate memorial from the Legislature of
Arizona concerning certain coal fields in the
White mountain Indian reservation, asking that
they be separated from the reservation, and
that the right of discovery thereof be recognized.
Referred.
Thepostoffice appropriation bill was laid before
the Senate. and referred
Mr.. Hill introduced bill to relinquish to the
city of Denver certain land for public library
building.
Mr. Morrell reported favorably bill authoriz-
ing the erection of public building at Keokuk.
Placed on the calendar.
The bill to quiet the titles of settlers on the
Des MONIES river lands was laid before the Sen
ate as unfinished business, Mr.. Lapham having
the floor.
Mr.. Sherman said it was manifest that long
discussion would defeat the bill. owing tolack of
time. 1t was Senate bill, and after considera-
ton by the Senate, it would go to the House for
debate. 1t was interfering with all other meas
ures before the Senate, and Mr.. Sherman moved
to lay it on the table.
Mr. Allison said this bill as important as
any other measure before the Senate.
Mr.. Plumb thought it would take no more
time to vote on the passage of the bill than 10
vote on laying it on the table. He opposed Mr..
Sherman's notion and it was defeated-yeas II,
nays %.
Mr.. Dawes then moved that the Des Moines
bill be temporarily laid aside, in order that the
Senate might proceed with the consideration of
the Indian appropriation bill, which was agreed
to.
Mr.. Sherman asked the Chair whether the Des
Moines bill would still continue as unfinished
business during the morning hour, and the Chair
replied in the affirmative.
Mr.. Sherman-Then no business can be done
except that from the aspirations committee and
the DeS MOines bill
Mr.. Allison-Until it is disposed of.
Mr. Sherman-Then we may we'll give it
up; we may as we'll take it easy for the remainder
OF the session | don't think that is fair play in
legislation.
Consideration of the Indian appropriation
bill was then proceeded with.
Mr.. Vest read letter from the Governor of
Montana, saying that, Notwithstanding the relief
afforded by the government, the condition of the
Indians in parts of Montana, from exposure and
starvation, pitiable in the extreme. 1t was
useless, In Mr. Vests opinion, to say Let the
Indians work die" That was simply saying
let them die. You might as well say to a child
in a cradle, go to work or die.
Mr.. Plumb doubted whether many Indians
had died of starvation, and Mr.. Vest said there
was no doubt about the fact.
After further debate Mr.. Vests amendment
to increase the emergency fund from $50, 900 to
500. 600 agreed to.
The anti-foreign contract labor bill was then
formally placed before the Senate, but on Mr..
Dawess suggestion, it was unanimously laid
aside, to continue consideration of the Indian
| appropriation bill.
| Through the efforts of Messrs. Blair, Vest,
and Miller of California the Senate committees
| amendment. striking out the House item of
| $25 900 for an industrial school at Santa Fe, was
| disagreed to- and was restored to the bill
debate arose on the Senate committees
amendment, striking from tho House bill the
| provision prohibiting the carrying of intoxcat
| ing liquors into the Indian country
Mr.. Blair said the only change made by the
| House amendment was to increase the penalty
| for breach OF existing Iaw, and it should be
1 agreed to.
Mr. Dawes said the committee regarded it as
| general legislation, and felt compelled, in OBJ
| servance of the Senate rule, to strike out the
| provision.
Mr.. Blair opposed the striking out of the pro-
| vision. = ''r~.'
| After argument the Senate sustained Dawes,
and struck out the legislation.
Mr.. Plumb hoped the Senate would not agree
| to the proposition to strike from the House bill
the section authorizing the President of the
United States to negotiate with the Creek
Seminole and Cherokee Indians for a surrender
of their remaining rights in the socaited Okla
| homa lands.
| After debate the provision was stricken out.
| Mr. Plumb offered an amendment of some
what similar tenor to that stricken out but this,
too, was voted down as being legislation.
| Consideration of the bill having been COM
pleted, Messrs. Henderson and Miller of Cali
fornia endeavored, but in vain, to replace, in
| the Senate. some of the legislative provisions
stricken out in committee of the whole The
| bill was then passed, substantially as reported
| from the Senate committee.
| Mr.. Hale called up the agricultural appropria-
ton bill, but at Mr.. Plumb's suggestion it went
| over till to morrow
Mr. Sawyer. from the committee on postoffices
and post roads, reported favorabiy, without
amendment. what is known as the subsidy
clause" proposed by Mr. Frye to the postofice
| appropriation bill.
| Mr.. Hawley presented the credentials Of re-
| election of Mr. Plat, and Mr.. Bowen presented
the credentials of Mr. Seller, Senator elect from
| Colorado.
| Mr.. Allison submitted joint resolution ap
propriating $500 to defray the necessary ex-
| penses of the Inauguration of the incoming
President to be expended under direction Of the
| Senate committee on arrangements. Referred.
A bill was introduced by Mr.. Dolph, making
Seattle and Tacoma, Washington Territory ports
of delivery. Referred.
After AIN executive session the Senate ad
journed.