New-York tribune., 1891-02-19
THE INDIAN DEPREDATIONS BILL.
DISCUSSION OF THE MEASURE IN THE SENATE
FAILURE OF AN EVENING SESSION

DISCUSSION OF THE MEASURE IN THE SIN Ale
FAILURE OF AN EVENING SESSION.
Washington, Feb Is (speclaD-Thc Indian Depreda-
tons bill, so called the next measure on the opoer
of business agreed upon by the Republican caucus was
taken up In the Senate to-day aftet the nal vote
on the Copyright bill. This proposed piece OF legls%
tion provides for the adjudication and payment VI
claims arising from Indian depredations. ana s h'elu
ed 70 cover the hundreds of private claims for such
depredations entered since 1867, except such cases
arising prior to that time wero duly prosecuted
before the secretary Of the Interior Congress, ana
ore stn pending There is no question as to the pro
priety and importance Of egslatng III some way lor
the eayly settlement Of these claims, ana the man
question of difference is simply as 10 the wsest course
to be pursued, in justice 10 the Government 10 'lc
Indians and TO claimants The chief point at Issue IS
wheth TO reegate these claims TO the courts ol the
United states already established, or 10 provide sep
arate tribunal or court for their final adludlcauOh
The House of Representatives passed and sent 10 the
Senate bill providing for tho 0eauOn OF ne"
tribunal but there is division in the senate on tls
subject, most of tho Democrats and some OF the no
putlcans prefering TO clothe the Court OF Claims ana
The district and circuit of the United states with
Jurisdiction to bear and adjudcac all claims Of this
character Senators from the States most Interested IN
the subject matter to be in favor OF inc course
marked out iu the House bill.
Mr.. Paddock made brief statement in explanation
of the bill and WIS followed by Mr. Chandler, who eN
pressed NE belief that the amount which would be
finally paid under II would be less than S5,OOO,OOO.
Mr. Edmunds moved to strike out Section . OF the
substitute which prohibits the allowance of any claim
made by Indians On the testimony OF any witness OF
the Indian race.
Mr. Walthall moved to amend the section by making
II read on the unsupported testimony Of any INDIAN
Mr.. Walthals amendment was agreed TO-
Mr. Edrnunds did not think that the modification of
the section affected the fundamental objection to tho
section which was that it manifeStly unjust ana
unrepublican and that IL undertook 10 dictate to
United states court what sort Of testimony 1T should
give weight to.
The vote was taken Mr. Edmunds's motion TO
strike out the third section and It resulted Yeas, ="
NAYS, 22-lacRng one Of a quorum \ call OF the roll
was responded TO by forty-sX Senators: but second
vote resulted Yeas u nays, 2l-laclsng three of
quorum.
A motion to adjourn defeated and, under the
general order of two weeks ago, the senate at p m
took a recess till D. m-the 1ergcan-at,A Arms being
directed in the meantime 20 request the attendance of
absent Senator's ,
The attempt to have an evening session for tho
tran saction OF business did not promise much success
when the hour of p. III. arrived There were only
fifteen Senators in the Chamber-twclve Republican,
and three Democrats In the course OF the next hat
our during which period all business was suspended
various other Senators arrived until finally there were
by the sergeant Arms naming the senators on
whom he had called, those who had reported them
selves sick and those who were absent from the Guy
st half past the senate adjourned motion Of Mr..
waiting hour and half, that majority Of the
senate did not wish to transact business.