The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1889-01-31
Leading Men Of Both Parties in the
Senate Say America Must Re-
sent German Insults.
THE OKLAHOMA BILL.
The Measure Opening the Boomers
Paradise to Settlement Passes the
Committee Stage With Many
Amendments.


sinking fund 10 the order Of the Union and
Central Pacific railroads Feb. |, 1889, under
the Thurman act with the amount of each
invested In bonds, the market value OF such
bonds, and the amount which would have
been In the sinking fund II no investment
In bonds had been made.
The senate resumed consideration OF the
diplomatic aud consular appropriation bill,
the question being an amendment Affecting
the Samoan Islands. Dolph said the ques-
tion was one OF special and local Interest
10 the people OF the Pacific coast ;
that whatever might be thought as % the
propriety of general discussion OF Amer
lean rights and interests In the Samoan
islands, and Of the relations of the govern
ment Of the United States TO the German
government, the matter had proceeded
so far as 10 render further discussion de-
sirable. The views which he would ex-
press would be his own individual views,
and should neither compromise the govern
ment nor receive undue attention else
where. After general description of the
islands, their products, inhabitants and
commercial importance, Dolph reviewed
the history Of affairs since the United
States government first took an interest In
the islands, and recent occurrences which,
he said, had involved the United States
in some controversy with Germany.
In the course OF his review Dolph cameto
the point where Uuited States Consul
Greenbaum raised an American iiag over
the Samoan flag In the harbor Of Apia, an
act which had been, he said, promptly re-
pudlated by Bayard, and the repudiation
certified 10 the German and English gov
ernments with the suggestion rs TO pro
tectoTate.
Morgan stated Bayard had never CON-
mitted the United States TO the position
that there should be either a separate or
Joint protectorate over the island, not be-
lieving 3 protectorate entirely consistent
with autonomy.
Coming down to the conference at Wash
ington In July, 1887, Dolph spoke OF the
agreement that, pending that conference,
.he statu quo should be observed. and
Morgan asked him for his authority for the
statement "The German government
agreed TO observe the status quo," Dolph
replied. "There may have been no such
special agreement, but the observance OF
the statu quo was necessarily implied.
Reagan referred the documents which
had been published on the subject, and de-
clared that mo American citizen could
read the correspondence without feeling
humiliation 20 see the rights OF the United
States brutally oyerriden and trodden down
by German subalterns, while the German
prime minister was protesting friendship
In a desire 70 maintain proper relations
with the government Of the United States.
His purpose was" he said, "to call atten-
tion TO the fact that the proposed amend
ment was too feeble 10 answer the purpose.
II we believe we have rights which have
been violated we should assert those rights
as becomes a great and powerful
nation. am not IN favor
of war. know too well the calamities OF
war, but the humiliation of great nation
In the face of an arrogant power Is worse
than war. I would give the president
power 10 determine what our rights In the
matter are, and the power 10 assert those
rights I'm way that could not be mistaken
II we do this we may expect 10 maintain
our rights and TO see the restoration Of the
statu QUO. | would suggest an addition 10
| the pending amendment Of the words.
"And for the protection OF the
rights Of American citizens residing
| in said islands, and TO preserve the neu.
trality and inde pendence OF their people :, -
| Then we will have said something; but II
we do not put In some such declaration we
leave the president exactly where he Is
now-in the position where he regards
himself as powerless so vindirate the rights
of the United States"
AT the close of Reagan's speech the sen.
ate proceeded 10 executive busines and
when the doors re-opened adjourned. IL rs
understood the secret session was con-
| treaty.
IL IL gathered from the tone OF to-day's
| discussion that there Is strong disposition
| among number OF senators 10 rec0mmit
| the treaty Ia the committee on foreign rela-
tions, the effect Of which, from the stand
point OF the administration, senators say,
would he 10 kill II as far as this congress
II 4. m 10. han h.a an.
ate adjourned, no date was fixed for con-
tinuing It's consideration and II Is some
| what doubtful whether IL will again be
considered by the senate as at present con-
stituted.
THE HOUSE.
| The house went into committee OF the
whole on the Oklahoma bill, the pending
amendment being one 10 prevent the i'm
pairment OF homestead rights OF veteran
soldiers and sailors.
Payson advocated the amendment.
Symes, Colorado, said as a member Of th'
Grand Army of the Republic he rose 70 op
/ pose the amendment Some gentlemen
who advocated the amendment must excuse
| him for saying that their actions shovel
| they were more anxious TO defeat the bill
| than 10 grant special benefits 10 a few
| Grand Army OF the Republic soldiers
Members OF the Grand Army did not cont
before the house asking that 200 or 800 o
them, who might be able TO go with th'
boomers into Oklahoma, should have
present Of 500 To $500 each, while thou
sands who were unable 10 20 there, and
who were In want, would receive nothing
| at all. While the dependent pension bill
remained vetoed. the healthy, able bodice
members Of the Grand Army Of the Re
public who were able TO go TO the wilds o
Oklahoma and redeem the country did no
want 4 present OF $500 from the govern
| ment After further debate the amend
ment was agreed 10 pro forma, and II wa
agreed vote should be taken In the house
Holman, Indiana, offered an ameDdmen
providing that nothing In the act b- con
| strued 10 authorize extiDguished Indian
titles 10 any lands In the Indian TERRITORY
which by virtue OF any existing law w0ul'
inure 10 the benefit OF any railroad c0rpor
alton, or the title TO which would vest II
any such corporations, or the extlnguish
ment OF the Indian title thereto, but Al
such lands shall be held by Indians II
tribes OF In seyeIAlty, or by the Unite,
States In trust, for the benefit of the In
dlAns; agreed 70, as was the amendmen
offered BY McRae, Arkansas, for f0rfeitin
all lands and rights granted :
the Atlantic * Pacific railway 10
Canadian river 90 Van Buren,, Ark. d
motion Of Mcltae the clause WAS eliminate
which subjects the lands 10 taxation afte
the first lnstAllment Of the purchase none
has been paid. On motion OF PaysOn a
amendment was adopted providing that n
right Of entry shall be given 10 any pers0
by reason OF q claim OF occupancy prior
the application 10 the entry OF the land ~
cept In cases Of actual occupancy and col
tnuous residence on the .aDd at the dat
of the application. Pays0n then offered
substitute for the tOwnslte section, and
was agreed %. II authorizes the secretaT
Of the Interior 10 reserve on any publ
lands ln the territory townsltes In area M
exceeding $40 acres, In compact form
and prevent the allowance OF any applicl
by the secretary Of the Interior. first, whel
any exterior line or land 10 within half
mile OF any railroad; second. where n
Land at the date OF the application hi
been plated as a town. village or settl