The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1888-06-02
GENERAL WASHINGTON NEWS.
How the Sheridan Bill was Passed
In the House.
An Indian woman's Plea for Chris
tlanlty Without Flrewater
Lends Interest to a Senatorial Talk
About the Redskins.

WASHINGTON, June 1.-The scene In the
House today when the Senate bill authOriz-
ing the President to nominate General of
the Army the Office TO expire with the death
Oh the present Lieutenant General, was fin
ally passed was most dramatic Nearly eye-
ry member was out Of his proper seat and an
electric thrill pervaded the whole House.
The lew Democrats who objected were en-
tirely unable to Withstand the overwhelming
pressure and when Mr.. Kelly, Of Pennsyl-
vania, speaking on behalf Of the Republican
minority saw this and poured libati0n at the
Ieet Of Ihe Democratic majority who had re-
moved Ine DISTINCTIONS which seemed to line
the pathway Of this effort TO honor the great
est soldier OF the day In his dying hour the
applause were loud and long. About eight
nays was raised against the bill but a divi-
sion was not called for.
The Indian Question.
During the consideration Of the Indian an
proprlatien bill. and while the education Of
Indian children in ALASKA was being dis
cussed, Senator Blair had read a letter from
an Indian woman, who, he said, had been a
delegate to the recent woman's convention
in Washington, and was. by descent, a Mo-
hawk Indian. The letter was dated Kala-
mazoo, and signed princess Slrouga" J.
1t the Princess contrasts the condition Of IT,
Indians in Canada and the United State
much to the advantage Of the former
SAYS: II believe Congress, as bod.
us no wrong, but nevertheless gre
have been done, and some can
righted. One Of the greatest W
Introduction OF -hre-water anon
l appeal to you, as a nation, 10
Indians are educated. Send
among them, and more true
send honest st people, If you hay
you. The Indian loves honor
despises deceit We have gre
proud. We are Indians.
been known TO manufacture
10 destroy the body and soul
we language to take Gods nj
Further discussion Of the
participated in by Senators
and Blair. The latter spoke On
made by the civilized tribes In
Territory, and. as proof, mentiOneu
that newspapers there contained as L..
civilized blackguardism and criticism as the
metropolitan newspapers.
Senator Dawes lntimated that five civilized
tribes had reached certain grade Of elviliza-
tlon and stopped there; they had even
retrograded. Congress had Just found IL
necessary 70 pass an act TO punish crimes In
the Indian Territory. Heroic treatment was
fast coming TO be necessity to save the
good already secured there. Many Indians
themselves realized the fact and would be
glad to have this common heritage divided
up among them, without which lin his
opiniOnl higher state OF civilization than
they now had was impossible
Senator Blair interpreted the remarks Of
Senator Dawes as indicating that the Indian
was 10 be inevitably exterminated, by war
or peace, II he was TO remain In contact with
the white man at all.
Senator Dawes admitted that on any theory
II was absolutely certain the Indian, as an
Indian, was 10 disappear from the country,
because the Indian, as an Indian, could not
live In the country any more. The Indian.
II Indian e0uld nd MIA
continent, but the race would continue, and
would increase and multiply under its new
condition. The Indian had to be made
self-supportIng citizen Of the United States
or he would certainly become a vagabond
savage tramp. That was the alternative.
Even the present condition Of things In the
Indian Territory could not continue.
~ c9llaqy took place between Senators
Plumb and Bates In regard to the admins
tration OF the office Of Commissioner Of In
dian Affairs. the former charging that the
commissioner had no experience, and was
old and unequal TO the position.
Senator Bate defended the character abil-
ity, honesty and efficiency of the commits
siener, and challenged Senator Plumb TO
prove his assertion, which Senator Plumb
promised to do.
Senator Blair said the newspapers assertsd
that the Catholic church had an undae<fn-
tiuenee In the matter l0f Indian Schools on
tne reservations and asked Senator Dawes
IL that was true.
Senator Dawes reported that the Interior
Department made contracts with associa-
tions, or individuals, for the education of a
esSSsat5aln number Oh Indian scholors, some at
Sl9S ana some at S15s per annum. Tbere
n nad oeen good deal Of Complaint shaf the
Cathohc den0minatiOn got q predominant
snare OF these scholars. He attributed this,
however. now not TO any special favor, but to the
TACT tnat the Catholic church had a bureau
lnWashington TO look out for appointments,
70 make contracts for the education Of In
dian children.
Finally the bill passed
Mr.. Fuller's Nomination.