Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-01-23
xLvTiITH CONGRESS.
WASHINGTON, January 90, 1885.


Senate.
Mr.. Frye. from the Committee on
Commerce, reported favorably the bill
recently introduced by himself for the
encouragement Of the American mer-
chant marine and to promote the postal
and commercial relations with foreign
countries. Placed on the calendar.
Mr.. Henderson, from the Committee
on Printing, reported favorably the
concurrent resolution providing that the
Congressional Record should be the
accurate transcript Of the actual pro-
| ceedings and debates Of the two houses.
The resolution was placed on the calen-
| dar.
The Oklahoma resolutions Of Messrs.
Plumb and Vest were placed before the
| Senate.
Mr.. Vest withdrew his resolution. In
doing so he took occasion to say that
there could be no doubt whatever that
as the laws stood the Oklahoma lands
were not at this time subject to settle
ment by white people. The Presi-
dent, therefore, was unable to do other
wise than he had done.
Mr.. Vest explained the condition of
the Oklahoma question, and said he was
astonished to see that statements had
been made at the other end Of the Capt.
tol to the effect that the President in
his action in this matter was violating
law. Nothing could be further from the
fact. The President was compelled to
execute the law. and the law was clearly
and unquestionably against permitting
white settlers to go on to these lands.
Mr.. Vest believed it inevitable that the
lands would in time be opened up to
such settlers, but that time was not
now. He expressed the hope that Con-
gress would now take action in the
matter and avert bloodshed. The re-
manning rights Of the Indians to the
lands in question should be purchased
and paid for.
Mr.. Plumb's resolution calling on the
President for his views of the present
status of the Oklahoma lands was
agreed to.
Mr.. Vest then re0fiered his resolu-
ton directing the Secretary Of the
Treasury to ascertain and report upon
what terms the Creek and Seminole In
dams would surrender all their remain
ing rights to the lands in question. He
requested that the resolution lie over
till to- morrow, when he would make it
more comprehensive. The resolution
was laid over accordingly.
The Senate then, at 900 p. NJ, went
into executive session with reference,
it is understood. TO the Nicaragua
treaty.
At AIS p. NJ. the doors were re-
opened and the Senate adjourned.
House OF Representatives.
On motion of Mr.. Lanham, of Texas,
the Senate amendments were c0ncurred
in to the House bill authorizing the APP
pointment of a commission to run and
mark the boundary lines between por-
ton of the Indian Territory and Texas
in connection with. a similar commission
to be appointed by the State of Texas.
Mr.. Cobb, Of Indiana, presented the
conference report on the Oregon Central
forfeiture bill, and it was agreed to.
The House recedes from its disagree
ment to all Of the Senate amendments.
The House then (at 1920 o'clock)
went into Committee of the Whole-Mr.
| Wellborn in the chair-on the Indian
appropriation bill.
An amendment was adopted direct
ing the Secretary of the Interior to pre-
pare a list Of all approved and pending
claims of citizens on account Of Indian
depredations, and to report the same to
Congress on the first Monday Of next
December.
Mr.. Cutcheon, of Michigan, offered
an amendment providing that any In
dian committing against the person or
property of another Indian or other
person any of the following crimes !:
Murder, manslaughter. rape, assault
with intent to kill, arson. burglary. and
larceny, shall be subjected to the laws
of the Territory in which such crime is
committed, and shall be tried therefor
in the same courts and in the same
manner, and shall be subject to the
same penalties as any other persons
charged with the commission of said
crimes, and permitting Indians to prose-
cute in any court any civil action at
law and equity. Adopted.
On motion of Mr.. Throckmorton, of
Texas. an amendment was adopted Civ
ing the United States District Court for
the Western district of Arkansas civil
jurisdiction over the five civilized tribes
Of the Indian Territory.
Mr.. Ryan, of Kansas, offered an
amendment authorizing the President
TO open negotiations with the Creeks,
Seminoles. and Cherokees for the pur-
pose of opening to settlement under the
homestead laws unassigned lands in the
Indian Territory coded by them to the
United States. (These are the Okla
homa lands.) Adopted.
Mr.. Ellis, Of Louisiana, in moving
that the committee rise, said that in the
course Of debate on the bill he had been
betrayed by an infirmity Of temper into
an expression Of language which he
greatly regretted. He withdrew that
language, and made his acknowledgment
to the House. Mr.. Ellis had reference
TO the controversy yesterday between
himself and Mr.. Holman, and that gen.
tleman said that the apology was salts
factory to him, and that he withdrew
any improper remarks made by him.
The committee then rose and reported
the bill to the House, and it was
passed.
Adjourned.