The Red Cloud chief., 1888-08-03
( THE BILL.
1ho Friends OF the Measure Speak In II
Favor in the House.

ne Friends OF the Measure Speak In m
Favor in the House.
WASHINGTON, July g. - Congressman
Burnes. OF Missouri, who as Q member Of
the Appropriations Committee had charge
OF the Deficiency bill, having kindly con.
scented to give way to the consideration Of
the Oklahoma bill, that measure was given
right of way yesterday and the debate
consumed the entire time up to the hour OF
adjournment.
General Hooker. Of Mississippi, who had
always been q Sentilnentalist on the Indian
question. WAS tn. only opponent to speak.
He took the position that the bin WIS in
violation Of treaty stipulations and argued
that Congress had no power to create q
Territorial Government over any part Of
the indian Territory, dissenting from the
decisions OF Attorney General Garland
and Judge Brewer in regard to the legal
status of the Cherokee outlet. The greater
portion OF hrs speech was directed against
the established policy of the Government
as declared in the Indian SeveraIty act,
which had little application, however. &C
The pending bill.
General Hooker WAS followed hv Mr.
Stockdaie. of Mississippi, on behalf OF the
Lill in a most effective and eloquent speech.
He had examined the bill carefully and
found il TO be just to the Indians and
equitable in all its provisions. 1t was in
no respect open to the objections urged so
strongly by his colleague. General Hooker.
The rights of the indians We're fully re.
spected, while n vast and fertile country
now the refuge OF criminals and lar
harians, was proposed TO be opened To Q
Christian civilization. The supporters #
the bill We're the true friends OF the
Indians.
1t was impossible and impolitic. the
speaker urged. to attempt to arrest the
march of empire. For one he would not
contribute TO preserve the indian Terri
tory included in the bill to barbarism and
crime, while it was the duty and in the
power Of Congress to give it good govern
ment. and 10y the establishment Of the
church and the school house confer upon il
all the blessings of civilized society. His
colleague, he said, might he contented to
plead for the continuance Of barbarism,
but with pride i'm the history and progress
of the Anglo-Saxon race on this continent
he preferred the reign of law and order.
the development of wealth and the estate
lishment of happy homes, which would he
secured 10y the passage Of the Oklahoma
biii.
Mr.. White Of New York, Mr.. Peel Of
Arkansas. Mr.. Cannon of Illinois and Mr..
Perkins Of Kansas spoke earnestly for tho
bill. while Mr.. Cobb. of Alabama, argued
against it. Aschairman OF the Committee
on Indian Affairs Mr.. Peel earnestly urged
the imperative necessity for the establish.
ment of "a Territorial government aud the
opening Of Oklahoma to settlement. That
country. he said, was the refuge Of c. imi.
mails and villains from all parts of the
United States and therefore the welfare Of
the Indians would hest be subserved 10y
The establishment Of the proposed govern
> ment. Mr. Cannon said that he had here
tofore expressed his views in favor of the
policy involved in the measure. He had
visited re country and witnessed the de-
riorable coi.s..tion of affairs that existed
there. In his jc3sment there would he lit
tie opposition to the proposed Legislation
were it not for the cattle syndicates now
IL illegal possession of the country. He
charged thai these syndicates bribed the
ndian to obtain their illegal leases, and
they were always present in the lobby OF
Congress TO try and defeat this character
of wholesome legislation.
Judge Perkins urged the passage Of the
bill in q pertinent and eloquent argument.
He said that the country it proposed to or
ganize was practically unoccupied. With
Z out this protection Of local law and in this
illegal control of the cattle companies Ok
lahoma had become a menace to the peace
and security of the surrounding States.
The poor people Of the county. the pio-
nesrs OF civilization, needed this land for
horhest-ads. and they ought to have it.
Judge Perkins appeal for the passage Of
the bill was most convincing and effective.
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