The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1886-07-28
MUSIC BY MAGINNIs.
ne Tells an Independent Reporter
something About the Veto.
. New York Editor of an Administrator
Paper and a Boston Philanthropist Did
the Job 'sin a Rival Interest" @F

The bill passed both houses of congress
IN form that commended itself co every
nerson in Washington who was any way
nonversant with Indian affairs and was in
exact accordance with the treaty with
these Enthusiastically carried that
treaty. into effect by force of law. 1t then
went to the president and he looked the
bill over and gave assurances to several
Gentleman, among them Mr.. Scott Of
Pennsylvania, and Assistant Secretary
Smith, of the treasury department, that he
would sign it. I had no idea that he
would look upon it with disfavor, as it was
in strict conformity with the views Of ev-
,ryone who took an intelligent view of the
indian question. A little later, however,
Iheard that influences were being brought
to bear to cause the president
TO VETO THE BILL.
4 had an intimation that it would be OPP
posed by the interior department., which
had favored the bill all along, and i'm
mediately called there to see if the report
could be true. I found Mr.. Atkins, COM
missioner OF Indian affairs, still warmly
in favor of the bill, as he had ever been.
Secretary Lamar read to me his confiden-
tial report to President Cleveland on the
bill. 1t favored the bill warmly; If had
written the report myself it could not have
been more pleasing to me.
THE FIRST INTIMATIoN
L had of the bill being opposed came from
Helena and St. Paul. On learning the
feeling of Commissioner Atkins and Sec
retary Lamar, felt safe and telegraphed
friends of the measure that it was all right.
Next morning / called on the president
and found him with $50 pension bills to
act upon before he reached the railroad
bill. He set time when [ should call
again. I did so and went over the bill
with him and covered all the points, cited
the treaty, the action of the various Indian
commissions, the opinion of all who were
hmiliar with the question, the fact that
the goYernm ent was preparing to abandon
the reservation if possible, so that the OBJ
jections applicable to- a permanent reser-
vation would not apply to thls-ln tact
cited
q" EVERY POSSIBLE ARGUMENT.
Subsequently oafiiea again, s learn
ed that certain New York editor of an
administration paper had been sent over
in d rival interest and instructed not 20
talk railroad but to load the president with
Indian sentiment. [ also learned that
we'll known philanthropist had heen sent
down from Boston on 2 similar mission.
Soto make assurance doubly sure | called
on the president again and found hlm DIS
posed to veto the bill. wentcver all the
arguments again, talking with him an
hour. AT that time he argued his views
of the question, being those set forth in
the subsequent veto message, and said he
did not see how he could sign the bill.
But he ended by saying he would further
consider the matter.
NOW THOROUGHLY ALARMED,
Ltelegraphed Mr.. Scott, but as he was
yachting could not get him. saw Sec
retary Lamar, who went up and saw the
president on summons. / also saw sec
retaries Villas and Whitney, who called
on the president TO favor the bill. One
hour later [ called again at the White
house with additional arguments in WRIT
a, ing which sent him by his private secre-
tary. He read them and sent them out,
lie had finally concluded to disapprove the
hill, and had just commenced TO write the
veto message which was sent to congress
two hours later. [ saw him the next day,
and he said he thought he would be VIII
ling to sign any special bill forone road at
time. [ told him / was not IN favor OF
special legislation, but wanted the reser-
vation open to every road. had gen
eral talk with him In relation to the conn
mission to treat with the Indians for open
ing their reservation. This commission
has been partially appointed, the members
50 far named being MI. Wright, Of Tenn
essee, and Mr.. Larabie, Of the Indian bu-
reau. AS to passing the bill,
OVER THE PRESIDENTS VETO
it could be done by overwhelming odds II
the senate and IL the true merits of the bill
were the only consideration it would be as
successful in the house. But in that
branch of congress party feeling, the fear
thatit would.be used for campaign pur-
poses and the bitterness aroused by the
struggle over the pension vetoes would
forbid it.
In answer to 4 question as to other pend
ing legislation in regard to Montana and
the territories in general Major Maginnis
said that the bill designed TO restrict spec
lal legislation in the territories presented
some good features but he objected toll
on the general principle that congress