Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-07-08
RIGHTS OF THE INDIANS.
mas PRESIDENT VETOES A
RAILROAD SCHEME.

t.on Horses Not to be Allowed on the
,es4rvatfon in Northern Montana as
pronosed by Congress-The Indians
Fotirely Ignored in the Legislative
Proposition.
WASHINGTON, July TN the Senate to-
4av tbe river and harbor bill was tempo
rart}y laid aside and The chair laid before
ne senate a message of the President,
yatoing the bill authorizing the cOnstruc-
tioo of railroads through the Indian res
orvati0n in Northern Montana. The
massage was read. 1t states that
seyeral similar bills had been pre-
sopted to him during the present session
and had received his reluctant approval,
buthe mad hoped that each OF them would
he the last of the kind presented. This
bll invited general invasion of the In
dian country. 1t did not sufficiently
guaTd against an invasion of the rights
Of the Indians, nor was he satisfied that
the legislation proposed was demanded
nv anv eXigenGy OF the public welfare.
Mr.. Dawes moved to refer the bill and
message to the Committee on Indian Az
fairs. and he desired to 60 with this
remarkable message the section of the
treaty which had affected the President
80 sensibly."
THE ARTICLE
The committee which had reported the
Din had, be said, thought that it was re-
guding the rights of the Indians that the
article was in these words: "For the pur-
pose Of establishing travelling thorough
fares through ttS. country, and better
to enable the President to execute the
n provisions of this treaty, the aforesaid
Il nations and tribes do hereby consent and
4 agree that the United States may, in the
d countries respectively occupied and
Il claimed by them, construct roads of
d svery description, establish lines of tele-
81 graph and military posts, use materials
0teyery kind found in the Indian country,
8 build houses for agencies, missions,
y schools, farms, shops, mills stations, and
for every other purpose for which they
may be required, and permanently Oc-
q cupy as much land as may be necessary
q for Tue various purposes above enumer.
81 Rted, including the use of wood for fuel and
u lard for grazing; and that the navigation
d d all lakes and streams shall be forever
n Tree to citizens of the United States"
The motion was agreed to, and the bill
and Message were referred.
THE TERRITORY INVOLVED.
The reservation rferred to, the Presi-
s. dent says in his message, stretches across
"a Inc extreme northern part of Montana
n Territory, with British America for its
81 northern boundary. 1t contains an area
81 o. over $4,000 square miles. 1t is dedi-
# Gated to Indian occupancy by the treaty
Of Oct II. 1856, and the act of Congress
81 Of April 10, 1874. No railroads are within
81 Immediate approach to it's boundaries,
81 and only one. as shown on recent maps.
81 IS under construction in a neighborhood
VI leading in its direction. The surrounding
NJ country is sparsely settled and l have
81 been unable to ascertain that the necessi-
q ties OF commerce or any public eXigencies
Ell aemand this legislation, which would
Affect so seriously the rights and inter-
psts OF the Indians occupying the reser-
ri YatlOn.
NATURE OF THE BILL.
81 The bill is in the nature of a general
# tisAt OF way for railroads through this
81 Indian reservation. The Indian occu-
81 pants nave not given their consent to 1t.
Neither have they been consulted regard
ia3 II, nor is thc,yA any provision in it for
II securing that . Hsent or agreement to
ID.i, le lotation or construction OF railroads
III tue United States must exercise its
HI l2hJ OF eminent domain over the Indian
# territories for the general welfare of the
M "uOle country 1t should be done cautious
# y with due regard for the interests of
& ne indians and to no greater extent than
hs eAigencies OF the public service re-
E luire.'
SIMILAR BILLS SIGNED.
Inc President then states that bills
lending somewhat in the direction OF this
8 General character OF legislation. affecting
He rights of the Indians to lands reserved
W tIem by treaty stipulations, have been
He'ehteu TO him during the present ses-
slon ol Congress, which have received
S reluctant approval, though he is BY
means certain that a mistake has not
ls1h made IN passing such laws without
NoFH.hg Tor consent to such grants by
ge lndlah occupants aud otherwise more
,9seIS guarding their rights and inter-
s's' - hope," the President says, ''tbat
avn Oh lhese bills as it received my ap.
sented.o - y
ne says. In conclusion: "The bill now
eoe me is much more general in its
us nan those which nave preceded il.
1t ignores the right OF the In
ans to be consulted as TO the disposi-
WI 'l their lands, II invites
.sNefaI invasion Of the Indian country.
am impressed with the be-
ludl me Oil under consideration does
'umc'ently guard against an invasion
3'e rights and disturbance Of the peace
4uet OF tte Indians on the reserva-
~" "tn "tnuoued, nor am | satisfied that
-ISIat'on proposed is demanded by
Il @' eAisehcy of the public welfare"