Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1885-01-15
WaShington.

DEMOCRATIC SENATORS IN COUNCIL.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 1O.-A confer
ence of democratic senator's was called
this afternoon to consider the policy
TO DC pursued IN respect to the treaties,
Less than quorum were present, and
no line of action was decided upon or
proposed. The proceedings were Cos
sipy and informal. The greater part
Of the two hours conference was de-
voted TO comparison of views con-
corning the policy of the new admin
istration, especially with regard to
removals and appointments.
BARTHCLDIS STATUE.
Representative Nutting from the
committee on the library oday pre-
scented for printing and recommital
favorable report on the joint resolu-
ton introduced by Cox, of On. VI
appropriating SO, 900 to aid the com
pletlon of the pedestal for the statue
of liberty enGghtening the world.
The report says, the statue was the
magnificent gift from the people of
france to our whole people and not
to The people Of New York, and it
belongs TO the people of a nation. It
would be arrogance for the state of
New York 10 pay for pedestal aud
claim the statue as its own. The
statue is national symbol. 1t is a
national property and congress should
finish what has been so well begun.
THE CHEROKEE LANDS.
Before the committee investigating
the Indian lands, Augustus G. Ivy
testified to-day that he was member
of the Cherokee nation; that num-
Der of men told hina money had been
offered to secure passage by the coun-
Gil of lease bill Among those men
toned as having been offered pay
were John Sanders and Samuel n.
Ranney. Sanders told witness he was
offered $400 to vote for the bill. He
heard that Major Drum, attorney for
the Cherokee strip line stock associa-
ton, said 1t cost pretty high TO get
lease bill through. that it was a great
benefit and of course they had to pay
for it. Drum also remarked: Your
fellows got as high price as the Kan
sas fellows"
Rumor fixed the amount for getting
the bill through at $50, 900. Ranney,
now deceased, told witness he had
been paid for voting for the bill.
The witness frequently heard persons
say so and SO got so much after CON
siderable pressing as 10 who so and
SO" were. The witness mentioned
Major Scales, chief justice of the
supreme court Of the Cherokee nation.
as one Of them. The witness had
conversed with Bushy, the head chief,
about the lease. Bushy talked as if
the investigation would hurt the
nation, and said: "Gus, you are
stirring nam, you want to run for
the senate and had better not do any
thing that will hurt you"
Bushyhead said the lease was the
best that could be done under the
circumstances. Many thought that
Bushyhead would veto the bill, as
inferior lands were re ting at from
4 to 6 cents per acre. while the Cher
okees received but Il cents. Bushy-
head said it was better to get II cents
from those they knew than to rent to
Strangers. The witness believed the
lease could not receive 500 votes out
of $4,000 if the question had been
submitted to the people.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 1O-Physicians
this afternoon pronounce Congress
man Rankin's malady as Bright's dis
ease Of the kidneys, and fear that re-
covery is impossible. He seems easier
this afternoon, but is growing con
stantly weaker His wife arrives to-
night.
E c. Wall, shortly before noon to-
day received the following telegram
from Congressman G. NJ Woodward:
Mr.. Rankin is better and quite easy
now, but mucn exhausted" John E.
Eldred, register of deeds, also sent
dispatch to Washington this morning
ia regard to Mr.. Rankin's condition.
Angus Smith, to whom the inquiry
was addressed, replied as follows:
"Mr. Rankin is resting better this
forenoon