Butte semi-weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1886-1890, 1886-07-21
paoort of the Senate Committee on the
Veto OF the Montana Indian Res.
pryatiOn Bill.
They state What They Claim to Be
the Law and Facts in
the Case.
Work Mapped Out for Congress the
Coming Week-Status of the
Appropriation Bill.

Indian reservations in Northern Montana
The report says it will be observed thai
the bill under consideration is an attempt
to apply to this Indian reservation the
general law granting to railroads the right
Of way through the public lands OF the
United States, and that whatever criticism
can properly be made on the general char
ac,er OF the bill, lies with equal force
against the existing law. This law, the re-
port says, has existed now for more than
ten years. and no complaints of its opera.
tions have been heard in any quarter. 1t
was in the line OF broad and liberal
policy inviting capital end enterprise to
introduce railroads into the pablic
domain wherever there was any
reasonable hope to expect that
development would produce business
enough to justify the outlay. The benefi-
cjal result of that policy have been SO
marked in the rapid settlement OF the pub
lie domain and the development OF the re-
sources that no man had hitherto suggested
il he abandoned, nor has it been discussed
heretofore that speculating corporations
could be enabled to seek out and secure a
RIGHT of way over the natural and most
feasible route with no present intention of
constructing railroads along such line, but
with view of holding their advantageous
easements, for disposal at some future
time to some company for valuable con-
sideration. Ii the objection raised by the
President that the bill allows any railroad
company to survey and construct routes
OF travel without check, be true, it is i'm
possible to see how any railroad corpora
ton or any other corporation can choose
the most feasible route, or can, by taking
possession in advance, compel any other
corporation to purchase OF it any right to
bnld a railroad when the bill coniers that
right without franchise and provides amply
against any attempt at monopolization
OF rights. The committee think these two
objections inconsistent and one refuted by
the other. AS to the objection raised by
the President that the bill involves the
rights OF Indians and ignores their right to
be consulted as to the disposition OF their
lands. The report quotes from the treaty
by which these Indians occupy their lands
which expressly recognizes the right OF the
United States to construct roads within
the reservation. 1t is difficult therefore to
imagine what right OF Indians has been
or could be invaded. In order to remove
any possible complaint on the part OF the
Indians, however the bill carefully pro-
yides for compensation to the Indians for
any possible right of way they may
have conceived. The objection OF,
the President is that the bill invites
general invasion OF the Indian
country and brings into contact and inter-
course with the Indians, whites who are in
dependent oithe order regulations and con-
troll OF the resident agent, does not appear
to the committee sound. They say the
day Of isolation for the Indian has passed
and it is contrary to the present policy OF
dealing with Indians. which is to bring
them as fast and at as many points asp pos
sible in contact OF civilization, and every
facility of intercourse and subjection to
the law which now covers white men and
Indians alike should be permitted. The
Committee also note the fact that on the
day this bill was vetoed, the President
signed the bill, allowing the construction OF
railroad through the Indian Territory,
suited.
WORK FOR THE WEEK.
The Oleomargarine Bill is to be further
debated in the Senate tomorrow and its
managers express the hope-which, how
ever, is not shared by majority of the
Senate-that final action will be reached
tomorrow night. The reports upon the
Payne case-a privileged question-are to
be taken up on Tuesday, and il the present
Intentions are adhered to debate will be
left to the Republicans almost entirely. 1t
is the purpose OF the Democratic members
OF the Committee on Privileges and Elec-
tions to rest their case upon their report.
This gives some ground for the belief that
the question may be brought to vote by
OF before Wednesday night.
II the Oleomargerine bill is not disposed
OF tomorrow it will be taken up again after
IL vote is reached on the Payne case and
carried to its conclusion. The Civil Service
Appropriation bill will probably next be
taken up and long debate is expected
upon it. day will probably be taken
before the end OF the week for the considera-
ton Of objected to cases. on the calendar
OF nominations. 1t is possible, though not
probable, that Senator Dawes will find
an opportunity during the week
10 call up the unanimous report OF
the Indian Committee recommending the
passage over the veto OF the bill granting
to railroads, right OF way through the In.
dian Reservation in Northern Montana,
The naval establishment. land grant for
textures, Interstate commerce and fortifica-
ton appropriation bills are subjects that
promise to engross the attention OF the
House during the ensuing week. The unex-
pected wreck OF the last Of the appropria-
ton bills, Fortifications bill, on Saturday,
has somewhat disturbed the plans of the
Democratic "Stecring Committee" and it
may be found necessary to r. commit the
bill to the Appropriations Committee, so
that it may be replaced by a measure not
likely to succumb to the point
oi order. which was made with
such fatal effect, in the case OF the original
bill. Ii this subject can be disposed OF in
order to move to suspend the rules and
pass bills upon the recommendation OF
committees attempts will be made under
this order to pass the bill to lncr' ase the
Go, ho O11vl
militia the bill concerning the life OF
patents and possibly the bill to
increase the pension OF soldiers who
have lost a limb. The introduction OF
one or ni5re concurrent resolutions fixing
the day for final adjournment is expected,
but while the present indications polnt 10
an adjournment about the first OF neAt
month, it is tolerablv certain that the
Ways and Means Committee will not
report a resolution upon that SUD-
lect until the last possible moment.
The reason assigned is that the two houses
cannot agree upon day OF adjournment
motions to suspend the rules OF the House
ot Representatives will be in order at any
time during the last six days OF the session
and the Steering Committee" would there
by lose the control OF the business OF the
House 1t is believed that the final ad.
tournament cannot be delayed after the pas
sage OF the appropriation bills. The po-
sltions OF those not yet sent to the Presl
dent are as follows: The Fertilization
Bill awaits passage by the House, the Gen
eral Deficiency Bill has reached the Senate
.ommtte and will probably be reported
On Tuesday, the Sundry Civil Bill
mas been reported to the Senate and
IS ready for the action OF that
9ody. the Naval, River and Harbor and
legislative bills are in the conference stage
oi proceedings. The last named has
already been the subject OF two conferences
shd sir. all but two or three OF the points OF
.lherence have been adjusted. The most
Troublesome OF the remaining points, is
.ne Senate amendment providing for pri-
sate secretaries to Senators who are not
vlairmen OF committees. The Senate has
voted to adhere to this, holding that as it is
a,stter matter relating exclusively to it's own
ahalrs, the other branch of Congress
'usnt not to interfere. The contest over