The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1886-05-14
Legislation Touching the Indians.

To the Editor Of the Press:
Philanthropists and friends of the Indian
have, on the whole, reason for satisfaction
in the various enactments of Congress the
past winter. Although they may not yet
have become laws, there is little doubt that
President Cleveland will put his name to any
reasonable measure that tends towards citi-
zenship for the Indians. Early in the ses-
sion it became evident that the present Con-
gress must take up the Indian question
and deal fairly with it. Too many eyes
were "wide awake to the whole concern to
admit of evasions this year.
First in the Senate appeared Mr.. Coke
dec. Sth) with bill ITO provide for the
allotment of lands in seyeralty to Indians on
the various reservations, and to extend the
protection of the laws of the States and Ter
ritories over the Indians" The latter clause
of this bill is the same in substance as an act
passed and approved March 3, 1885, but
which has :been practically inoperatiye be-
cause no provision was made to pay the eX-
penses of prosecution. This has been pro-
vided for by an amendment that the costs
of prosecution are to be paid out of the
United States Treasury"
Next, MI. Dawes introduced his bill, ITO
divide a portion of the reservation OF the
Sioux nation of Indians in Dakota into sep
arate reservations, and to secure the relin-
punishment of the Indian title to the remain
der" This bill passed the Senate Feb. LIST,
and now awaits the judgment of the House.
A special bill was brought in by Mr.. Dawes,
''For the relief of the Mission Indians in the
State of California Immediate action was
urged by the Secretary of the Interior be-
cause white men are making effort to wrest
all the agricultural lands from the Indians,
and are constructing irrigating bitches which
will deprive them of water" This bill passed
the Senate Jan. 10. A bill enacting "a fine
of not more than $780, and Imprisonment OF
of not more than one year, or both, against
trespasserS on Indian lnndS," directed
mainly against Oklahoma boomers" passed
the Senate Feb. 18th.
A third bill presented by Mr.. Dawes, viz.
'For the allotment of land in severalty aud
citizenship to every Indian who had turned
his back upon savage life and adopted civil
cation" passed the Senate Feb. 25th. The
Importance of this bill cannot be OyerStated.
1t provides just and solid basis for all
schemeslof educational and missionary work
among the Indians. The bill is now in the
hands of the House committee as the Indian
Severalty Bill. 1t has been subjected to
some amendments which are not altogether
satisfactory, but as the House committee are
generally in harmony with the Senate COM
shall tend to citizenship for Indians, the
friends of the measure are hopeful.
There are no less than ten petitions before
Congress, asking for certain railroad compa-
MES right of way through the Indian Terri
tory. These are drawn up apparently in ig-
norance of the fact that the Indian Terrific
ry does not belong to Congress; that it is moi
part of the public domain of the United
States; that it is the property of certain
tribes of Indians; that their title to it is botl
by treaty and patent guaranteed in solemn
faith. The only way to build railroads
through the Indian Territory is to secure the
willing consent of the rightful owners of the
lands and provide fair price for the lands
taken. An Hon. Senator remarked: ''They
should be so built as to have the Indians de
sire to have them through the Territory
Among other bills involving general princi
Piles are: To amend the law relative to the
sale of liquor on Indian reservations; To es-
tablish a Territorial government for Indian
Territory; To provide for the compulsory
education of Indian children. These bills
are all as yet in the hands ofth Indian Com
mittee.
The Indian Appropriation Bill called out
vast amount of discussion. The whole sub
ject was so thoroughly investigated that il
really seems as if nothing were left to be
said as the other bills come up-the thing to
be done, is to save time by passing them as
quickly as possible.
The general tone of the Appropriation Bill
is to encourage self support by cutting down
rations, and to increase by liberal allow
ance facilities for education.
A. B. Q.