The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-07-09
Major Powell Has Some Of the
Wind Taken Out of
His Sails.
Appropriations for Irrigation In the
Northwest Growing Smaller
by Degrees.
Several Senators Vigorously Dissent From
the Report OF the Silver Conferees--
Tho House.

WARRINGTON, July g. Especial - The
house committee on Indian affairs to-day
considered the senate bill creating COM
mission to visit the Puyallup Indian reser-
vation, Washington, and report as to the
titles held by the Indians, the boundaries Of
the reservation and other questions Of inn
portance. The bill as originally drawn Gre
ated commission to learn the boundary of
the Warm Springs reservation in Oregon.
Mr.. Wilson, of Washington, to-day sug-
gested that the commissioners jurisdiction
be extended to include the Colville reserva-
tion, where there are several important
questions as to Indian rights yet to be set
tied. The committee agreed to an
amendment to that effect, the change
was made. and the bill was reported by
Mr.. Wilson and went to the calendar.
Director Powell, of the irrigation survey, is
preparing to hedge, SO az to secure votes
enough to carry his appropriation through
the senate. He has made over
lures to take the senators in the Dakotas,
promising PettiRrew that a large amount
of the appropriation should be expended in
South Dakota, while he has written to
Pierre stating that he would SO arrange
that North Dakota would not be included
in the arid land withdrawal. He has
said nothing to the senators from Mon
tana and Washington as all of them
are opposed to Powell. He does not
include Senator Casey, of North Dakota,
who is member of the irrigation commits
sion, and has taken an advanced position
against Powell's humbug irrigation plan
and been particularly active in the work of
trying to restore or keep the Dakotas from
being withdrawn from settlement. Senator
Moody says the senate will ascertain by what
rights lands are withdrawn and that Powell
will be investigated. Senator Casey says
the Withdrawals can be prevented in Dakota
without the aid of Powell and
it is possible that they will
be greatly modified as regards
Montana and Washington. The senate
committee on appropriations has agreed to
increase the amount for public land sur
veys from $2OO, 600 in the house bill to 5000
600. This is 100000 less than the senators
from Washington, Montana, North and
South Dakota demand, but is much better
than was first promised before the campaign
began. Senator Allen, Col. Sanders. Sem
ators Casey and Pettigrew were with the
new state committee asking for the appro-
priation, while the others were individual
committees working different members of
the committee. Senator Squire wanted
$500, 600 for Washington alone and is some
what disappointed though in dividing up
the appropriation it is probable Washington
will get nearly a third of the amount ap-
propriated.
Wyoming is having an unlucky time in
its effort to get into the union. The senate
amendment prevented it from being 4th
of July state. and to-day after the house
had agreed to it and the bill was returned
to the senate the Cox eulogies had begun
and it was postponed until tomorrow.
Wyoming will become state tomorrow.