Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-12-13
strict party vote-yeas 10, nays 2s-(Mr. Riddle
berger not voting).

berger not votng).
MR.. RIDDLEBERaER's RESOLUTION.
Mr.. Riddleberger offered the following
resolution, which went over under the rules:
Resoloed, That the Senate will proceed to q
reorganization by the election Of its officers on
the first day OF the session after the LIST OF JAM
uary, 1889.
TO ADJOURN TO MONDAY.
The Senate agreed (2s to 2s) to adjourn over
from to-day till Monday.
House Of Representatives.
In his opening prayer the Chaplain said:
"Oh! Lord God, We devoutly thank Thee
that in the public schools and in the seats of
higher learning the gates of knowledge are
open to the masses Of the children and
youth Of our broad country Lift their
instructors to higher level, 80 that
they may teach more and impart
to their youths and pupils inspiration of the
intellect rather than cram of knowledge and
versities and colleges that the Lord hath no
delight in the legs Of man, but in a sound
head, wise heart, q pure life and q noble
character. 30, give to the nation in the per-
sons OF the new race coming on the stage
higher type of manhood, the best heritage Of
the past and the loftiest inspirations of the
future"
THE TUNNEL INVESTIGATION.
On motion of Mr.. Clements (Ga.) }, the Senate
resolution was concurred in, extending the
time within which the joint committee investi-
eating the work on the Washington aqueduct
tunnel may make its report.
THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE BILL.
The Speaker announced the appointment Of
Messrs. Hatch (Mo.), Whitney (AIich.), and
Funston (Kan. as conferees ON the Department
Of Agriculture bill.
CHANGES IN COMMITTEE cHAIRMANsHIPs.
Mr.. McCreary (Ky. stated that on account of
the resignation of Mr.. belmont Of New York,
the chairmanship of the committee on foreign
affairs had devOlved upon him. He, therefore.
desired to resign the Craftsmanship of the
committee on private land claims. though
retaining his membership on that committee.
Mr.; Weaver (Iowa). upon whom the chair
manship would devolve, stated that he was
already the chairman of a committee, and he,
therefore, declined the new honor.
The Speakei thereupon designa nd Mr.. Glover
(Mo,) as chairman Of the committee ON private
land claims.
Mr.. Collins OIass.) from the committee on
the judiciary, reported bill allowing oaths to
be administered by notaries public. House
calendar.
THE FREMONT RETIREMENT BILL.
Mr.. Spinola (N. Y. from the committee on
military affairs, reported the bill authorizing
the retirement of John G. Fremont as a major
general. Private calendar.
Mr.. Stewart (Ga.), from the committee on
the Judiciary. reported back Senate bill to pre-
vent the introduction of contagious diseases
from one state to another. House calendar.
THE WEST CHEROKEE INDIANS.
In the consideration morning hour Mr.. Peel
ARK. called up. and the House passed, bill
for the adjudication by the Court of Claims of
the old settler, West Cherokee Indians
(The amount involved is S40O,OOO.)
THE OKLAHOMA BILL.
Mr.. McAdoo On. Y.), on behalf of the COM
mittee on militia, called up bill amending
the act for the organization of the militia, but
the morning hour expired pending action and
they proceeded, in committee of the whole. to
the further consideration of the Oklahoma bill
Mr.. Hooker (Miss.) offered an amendment
providing that the unoccupied lands west of
the ninty degree of west longitude shall
be open to settlement only by the consent Of
the Cherokee Indians. or any other tribe or
tribes having entered therein, which shall first
be obtained by a commission to be appointed
by the President.
Mr.. Warner (Mo.) said that the adoption of
the amendment would put it in the power Of
persons interested in keeping the lands from
settlement to secure their object, by prevail
ing upon some small tribe to withhold its con-
sent.
Mr.. Hooker protested against the govern
ment opening the land to settlement without
the consent Of the Indians that possessed the
fee simple.
Mr.. Symes, Of Colorado, remarked that the
gentleman from Mississippi had been taking
Rip Van Wrinkle sleep ON the history of the
title of the Cherokee strip. The Indians had
absolutely ceded the Cherokee strip to the
United States government in 1866. There was
a balance remaining due to the Indians, and
for that reason they had an equitable claim on
the land for which it was the purpose of the
bill to negotiate.
Mr.. Barnes (Ga.) denied that the treaty of
1866 provided for an absolute cession. It pro-
vided for cession to the friendly Indians
whom the government might locate upon the
land, and not a cession to the United States.
Mr.. Warner said that gentlemen might search
the legislation of the country in vain to find
measure as equitable and as liberal to the In
dians as the bill under consideration