St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1885-01-23
NATIONAL LEGISLATION.
The Oklahoma Question Again Occn-
pies the Valuable Time of the
Honorable Senators.
Senator Plumb's Resolution Calling on the
President for His Views in the
Matter Passed.
After Considerable Discussion in the
House the Indian Appropriation
bill Is Passed.
FORTY-EIGHTH CONGRESS.
The Senate.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 22.--In the senate to-
commerce, reported favorably the bill recently
introduced by himself for the encouragement
of American merchant marine, and to pro-
mote the postal and commercial relations
with foreign countries. Placed on the cal
endar.
Senator Henderson, from the committee
on printing, reported favorably the concur
rent resolution providing the congressional
record should be an accurate transcript of
the proceedings and debates of the two
houses.
The Oklahoma resolutions of Senator Plumb
and Vest were placed before the senate. Sen
ator Vest withdrew his resolution, and in do
ing so he took occasion to say there could be
no doubt whatever that, as the laws stood, the
Oklahoma lands were not at this time subject
to settlement by white people. The presi-
dent, therefore, was unable to do otherwise
than as he had done. Senator Vest said he
was ashamed to see statements had been
made at the other. end of the capitol to the
effect that the president in his action in this
matter was violating the law. Nothing could
be further from the fact. The president was
compelled to execute the law, and the law
was clearly and unquestionably against per-
hitting white settlers to go on these lands
Senator Vest believed the lands would in
time be opened up to such settlers, but that
time was not now. He expressed the hope
that congress will take action on the matter
and avert bloodshed The remaining right
of the indians to the land in question should
be purchased.
Senator Dawes said we had no right to
open up these lands for settlement. The
United States could not trample on her own
treaties.
Senator Harrison suggested the com mis-
sion on Indian affairs might at once report
unfavorable on the petition recently pre-
scented to the senate, which prayed for open
ing up the Oklahoma country. On the ques-
ton of adopting such report the yeaysgand
nays might be called and record of the
sense of the senate thus secured, which
might have the effect to prevent the conflict
now threatened.
Senator MaXey said this was good oppor-
tunity for the government to fix its seal of
condemnation upon this lawessuess. The
lands which formed the subject of this de-
bate had never peen surveyed, 'sectionized"
or subdivided. They were, therefore, In no
| way open for settlement.
Senator Plumb believed most people that
went INTO the Oklahoma country, went there
under the conviction that they had legal
right to do so.
Senator Maxey did not see how they could
entertain such con viction since they had
been notified by every reasonable manner
that they had no such right.
Senator Plumb said much misunderstand-
ing had been created by the rumor that the
United States judges in Kansas had decided
| that these lands were public lands of the
United States. The decision WIS not to that
effect, however. Senator Plumb's opinion
was the land could be opened to settlement
by congress and the president without the
consent of the Indians, II prompt action
were taken. He had no doubt an entirely
just and peaceful solution of the difficulty
could be arrived at, with due regard TO the
rights of the Indians
Senator Plumb's resolution calling on the
president for his views of the present status
of the Oklahoma land was then agreed to.
Senator Vest then offered his reso-
luton directing the secretary of the
treasury to ascertain aid report on
what terms the Creek and Seminole
Indians would surrender all their remaining
rights to the lands in question. He requested
that the resolution lie over till tomorrow,
when he would make 1t more mprehensive.
The resolution was laid over accordingly,
aud the senate then went into executive ses-
sion with reference, 1t is understood, to the
Nicaragua treaty. When the doors were
opened the senate adjourned.