The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-01-23
PROCEEDINGS OF CONGRESS-.
THE SENATE.
The Day Devoted to Discussing the Oklaho-
ma Indian Lands Question.

The Day Devoted to Discussing the Oklaho-
ma Indian Lands Question.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 22.-Mr. Frye, from the
committee commerce, reported favorably a
bill recently introduced by himself for the en-
couragement of the American merchant marine
and to promote postal and commercial relations
with foreign countries. Placed on the calendar.
Mr., Henderson, from the committee on print
ing, reported favorably concurrent resolution
providing that the congressional record should
be an accurate transcript of the actual proceed
ings and debates of the two houses.
The Oklahoma resolutions of Messrs. Plumb
and Vest We're placed before tae Senate, and Mr.
Vest withdrew his resolution. In doing SO, he
took occasion to say that there could be no doubt
whatever that, the laws stand, the Oklahoma
lands were not at this time subject to settlement
by white people; the President, therefore, was
unable to do otherwise than as he had done.
r.tVest discussed the condition of the Okla
homa question, and said he astonished to
see that statements had been made at the other
end of the Capitol to the effect that the Presi
dent in his action in this matter was violating
the law. Nothing could be farther from the
fact. The President was compelled to execute
the law and the law was clearly and unquestion-
ably against permitting white settlers to go on
these lands Mr. Vest believedit inevitable that
the lands would, in time, be opened up to such
settlers, but that time was not now. He ex-
pressed the hope that Congress would take &C
ton on thesnatter to avert bloodshed. The re-
naming rights of the Indians to the lands in
question should be purchased.
Mr. Dawes said we had no right to open up
these lands for settlement The United States
could not trample on her treaties
Mr.. Harrison suggested that the committee on
Indian affairs might at once report unfavorably
on the petition recently presented in the Senate,
which prayed for the opening of the Oklahoma
country; on the question of adopting such a re-
port, the yeas and nays might be called, and a
record OF the sense Of the Senate thus secured,
which mIght have the effect to prevent the con-
hict now threatened
Mr. Maxey said this was good opportunity
for the government to put its seal of condemna-
ton upon lawlessness. The lands which formed
the subject of this debate had never been sur
veyed, sectionized, or subdivided; they were
therefore in no way open for settlement.
Mr.. Plumb believed that most of the people
who went into the Oklahoma country, went
under conviction that they had legal right to
do SO.
Mr. Maxey did not see how they could enter
tain such conviction, since they had been noti
fed by every practicable means, that they had
no such right.
Mr.. Plumb said much misunderstanding had
been created by rumor that United States
judge in Kansas had decided that these lands
were public lands of the United States. The
decision was rot to that effect, however. Mr..
Plumbs opinion was that the lands could be
opened to settlement by Congress and the Presi-
dent without the consent Of the Indians. If
prompt action were taken, Mr. Plumb had no
doubt entirely just and peaceful solution of
the difficulty would be arrived at, with due re-
gard to the rights of the Indians.
Mr.. Plumbs resolution calling on the Presi
dent for his views of the present status of the
Oklahoma lands was then agreed to.
Mr.. Vest then reoffered his resolution directing
the Secretary of the Treasury to ascertain and
report upon 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 it more comprehensive. The
resolution was laid over accordingly.
The Senate then went into executive session,
with reference, it is understood, to the Nicara-
qua treaty.
When the doors were reopened the Senate ad
iourned.