The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1890-12-04
IN THE SENATE.
The Indian Problem and the Force Bill
Discussed.

Discussed.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 3-In presenting a
petition for an amendment TO the tariff
bill in relation TO rebate on manuiac-
tured tobacco in the senate to-day, Alli-
son said the conferees on the part OF both
houses agreed 10 the bill, but that il had
been omitted in the enrolment. He had
no doubt the matter would receive early
attention.
Cullom introduced bill to reduce letter
postage 10 one cent. Referred.
Hawley, from the committee on military
affairs, reported and asked 10 have put
upon its passage a joint resolution author
izlng the secretary Of war 10 issue arms
and ammunition to the states of North
and South Dakota. Manderson moved 10
include the state Of Nebraska.
Voorhees, said II the proposition were
one TO issue a hundred thousand rations
of food to the starving Indians it would
be more consistent with Christian civiliza-
ton. He referred to the statement Of
General Miles in a published inter.
view that the Indians were
driven to revolt by starvation.
and said il was crime on the part Of the
government 10 stand by and do nothing
except furnish arms TO whites. The Indi.
aus have been suffering for years in
silence. There was blood and guiltiuess
somewhere in connection with it. The
hostilitics into which the Indians IN the
Northwest were being starved would result
not merely in the destruction of the lives
of many Indians. but the lives Of thous-
ands of American citizens and hundreds
of American soldiers. That condition of
things has been brought about by a mig
gardly, parsimonious or dishonest policy
he knew not which. The policy has
been pursued to take lands from Indians
and not pay enough for them 10 keep the
Indians from starving when dispossessed
Of their homes.
Hawley spoke briefly, saying he had no
objection to the remarks of the senator
from Indiana, except that they were, per-
haps. little exaggerated.
Dawes, chairman Of the committee on
Indian affairs, very much doubted il the
shortness Of food was the origin of the
trouble or that a supply of food would be
cure for il. The difficulty with the In
dian service all along has been the con-
slant change Of policy. Heretofore, for
years, 1t has been impressed upon con-
gress that the best way 10 treat the Indian
was to siarve him into self-sup-
port "Root hog or die" has been
the phrase put over the door Of
those who administered the affairs Of the
Indians, and the policy has been 10 cut
down year by year the rations required 10y
the treaties and give notice 10 the Indians
that next year they were only 10 have SO
much. the difference 10 ne supplied by the
labor Of their own hands. He thought I,
well to hold out every inducement 10 the
Indians TO turn from dependence on
government rations and supply their own
support and that IL was well 10 resort to
all devices within the limits of justice and
reason TO induce them TO do il
As TO the suggestion in the public press
that the government had failed 10 kceI
promises made the Indians by the Siou,
commission, etc, he said the commission
had made all sorts Of stipulalions will
the Indians. One OF them was written
put III lldih hukhaA' ehb tudIN'u llllf
law by congress, and that stipulation IN,
commission had taken out TO the Indian,
and asked them 10 accept il. The Indian,
had cause Of complaint because Of IA,
non-fulfillment Of other agreements, auc
the commission told them IT had no au
thority as TO those matters, but that {
would use its influence with the gov
ment in the case. When the Indian
representative came 20 Washington will
the commission a full discussion was ha,
and the agreement was embodied in th,
bill which was submitted TO congress b,
the president. The bill thus framed /,
the complete satisfaction Of the Indian
passed the senate, but where Il was nov
/ he did not know. He knew, however
that the skirts % the executive and Of IN
senate were clear Of any attempt 10 de
part one iota from the assurance given /,
/ the Indians by the Commission.
He Dawes saw the Indian trouble
with full apprehension Of the danger
and Of the necessity Of some present re
lief TO bring around composure amon
the Indians and extricate them from ia
lead OF such bad Indians as Sitting Bul
and Red Cloud. who were the bane an,
curse Of the tribes.
! VOORHEES, repealed "tbe feeble attemu
at sneern on the part OF Dawes and sal