New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-01-21
THE STARVING INDIANS.
DENYING PROFESSOR PAINTERS CHARGES.
MIR. ELLIS DEFENDS THE HOUSE APPROPRIATIONS |
COMMITTEE.


COMMITTEE.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 20.-Representative Ellis,
q. the Appropriations Committee, to-day in explaining
the provisions OF the Indian Appropriation BILL deienueu
the committee against the charge that 1t had neglected.
or refused to make sufficient provision for the indias "
Montana several hundred Of whom nave died OF s'SE"
ton When the condition Of those Indians was mauo
known early in the last session by the Indian Bureau he
said, the total amount asked for was prompuY W.
warled TO them" He continued: "We appropriate"
every dollar of the deficiency estimated oy tue "eF
ment $4,000 the Senate increased the amount W
100000 and 1t promptly granted by the houee'
Notwithstanding these facts certain gentleman con-
neeted with the Indian Rights Association, has w''ch
me an open letter. and has seen fit to let loose my
devoted head the auathemas of the press East ana No
-one Mr.. c. c. Painter believe member Oh the iu,
Rights Association OF those selfeonsutuiec i,on
of the Indian coming here, by what credentials "o NV
know appearing frequently before the commit
Too and urrng Ms to discharge our duty. In
tho letter OF Painter. which was puplsneo
In The NEw-YoRK TRIBUNE, appear the
grossest misrepresentation and statements "hch NC
should have known utterly and UNANIMOUSLY ia'Se.
desire now to place record here the full history Vi
this matter In order that that gentleman, who IS repre-
sentd TO me TO be minister OF the Gospel may either
inform himself properly before he undertakes to write
public letter else that he may refresh his meor!
with the story OF Annanias
Mr. Ellis did not make clear that the deficiency voted
1884 and had no to the appropriation for the
current fiscal year. which according TO his own state
ment was nearly $50 900 less than for the year enu
last June At this session ii has been found necessary
10 vote another deficiency OF $4,000 to prevent une
starvation The House fully informed about
the destitute condition Of the Montana Indians oy
the Indian bureau early December 49, 1ss3 wheh
the reports of Inspector Howard and Agent Armstrong
were laid before that body Inspector Howards report
showed that the Crow Indians would be without oee ana
bacon after December 20, 1888, and ont OF nour ny
February l6 1884 The deficiency asked for on account
of the Crow Indians alone $7SllO For the other
Montana agencies keep the Indians from starving an
appropriation of $50 900 was asked on December 10
the Appropriatons Committee reported Joint resolution
to appropriate $1,000 The senate nnsrV IN
t INC Wonss refused TO concur in the
amendment This was done on Mr. ElliSs MOTION uespbbe
had visited the tribes few months before ana th0r-
oughy understood the necessities OF the situation, ne
and Mr. Chace Rhode Island also pointed out tns he
department had estimated that sum exceedIhg @l1Y
GOO would ps e TWO houses caused further
delay and the joint resolution did not become law u
snrre year passe last July the estimates Of the
department on account OF the Montana nois " T
Elliss explanation does not seem TO reIue PROFESSOR
Mr. ThrocInorton of Texas. criticized the bill OF the
committee because about onehfh OF the entire a nd
be appropriated for the support VI Day ana lhu'
trial schools for the benefit of the Indians ,,
Delegate Maginnis of Montana Territory Sald lat te
PoHSOS"iN4'
large tracts lands required for their own use or
occupancy. and permitting them to lease II 10 si9cxhou
ers pernicous III is TO be continued lie De
manded lhat the prive of leasing shall be PM up al AUG
ton and sold to the highest bidder lie saG tad o%e
company from Kansas or Nebraska, had obtained IRON
the Crow Indians lease covering more than 3ooooVo
acres OF their lands $4,000. while citizeuS oi Mon
would have been GLAD 10 pay three or -FOUR uIes as
much for the same This lease IL seems was ho' CON-
firmed by the Interior Department however
Mr. Ryan. of Kansas, made au energetic and eSrnesI
speech which he called the attention OF the house 10
the imminent danger of conflict between the OkaAOna
coloniss and United States troops, and dwet mon nc
necessity OF prompt action by Congress 10 dtne the
rights OF the Indians and intending settlers Iespee
lively.
Mr. Perkins of Kansas also spoke upon the same sub
iect and explained the intense public feeling IN h"sas
in favor OF opening 10 white settlers the ahds III q"e
ton.