Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1891-01-03
Indian DeEreGatiOn Bill.

Allen writes that the Senate will take IT
up as soon as possible. Quite a number
--ef-eitizens in-this county will be interest
ed IN the provisions of this bill which
Should hayo been passed years ago. E.
g., Northtntt AND aI}rother have two
claims, one for Scotland one for &c.
COO, which were approved by the Secre-
tary July 10, 1883 and February 9, 1881
respectively, and under this bill all
claims allowed shall have priority of
consideration and shall be taken to be
prima facia correct. Should this bill be-
come d law. which in all fairness it
should, Mr.. Ncrthcutt and others will re-
ceive their money as soon as the machin-
cry of the Court can get in operation.
The bill is as follows;
An act, TO provide for the adjudication
and payment OF claims arising from
Indian depredations.
Be it enacted by the Senate and
House of Repres entatives of the United
States Of America in Congress assembled,
That the President is hereby authorized
to nominate and, by and with the ad-
vice and consent Of the Senate, to APP
point three judges, no moro than two of
whom shall belong to the same political
party, one Of whom shall be designated
Jas presiding judge, and they shall hold
their Offices until the thirty first day of
December, eighteen hundred and ninety
four, when the same shall expire and all
the functions and privileges thereof
shall cease. IL either of said Judges
shall not be so appointed during the
present session of the Senate the Presi-
dent may make such appointment dur
ing the recess thereof, but the appointee
shall hold no longer than until the end
of the next session thereafter ensuing,
durino which the President shall NOM
mate to the Senate as aforesaid. In like
I manner any vacancy subsequently oc-
curing shall be filled. Each Judge so
appointed shall receive salary at the
rate of three -thnusand--fr-as k--45rz5
dollars per annum. Each of said Judges
shan, before entering upon the duties OF
his office, take and subscribe the oath
required by law for judges of the United
States courts
SECTION 3. The said judges shall
constitute court to be known as the
court of Indian depredations, and shall
have seal with such device as it shall
order, and as such court shall possess
jurisdiction and authority to inquire in
to and finally adjudicate, in the manner
provided in this act, all claims heretofore
filed in the Departments or presented to
Congress of the following classes, name
ly:
First. All claims for property of cit
liens of the United States taken or de-
stroyed by Indians without just cause
or propagation on the part of the owner
or agent in charge, and not returned or
paid for.
Second. All claims by Indians under
the protection OF any treaty with the
United States who, while peacefully re-
siding and being upon any lawful reser-
walton provided for them, or absent
therefrom by authority and peacefully,
shall have suffered loss of property
through unlawful destruction, or taking
by white men, or by Indians of another
tribe or nation then belonging within
the United States, and not authorized to
be upon the reservation where such de-
struction or taking occurred: Provided,
however, That no claim referred to in
the second subdivision in this section
shall be entertained by the court unless
substantiated to the satisfaction of the
court by the testimony of the agent or
other creditable witness not of the In
dian race, being persons having a per-
sonal knowledge of the facts.
Third. All just offsets and counter
claims to any claim of either of the pre-
ceeding classes which may be before
such court for determination. All
questions of limitations as to time and
manner Of presenting claims are hereby
waived, and no claim shall be excluded
from the jurisdiction because not here
tofore presented to the Secretary of the
Interior or other office or department of
the Government: Provided, That no
clam accruing prior to January first,
eighteen hundred and forty-seyen, shall
be considered by the court. The said
court shall have authority to issue sub
penas for witnesses, to be signed by its
Jerk or one of said judges; to make
land regulations not inconsistent
i law or with the general course of
procedure in courts of justice; to govern
the methods of procedure and practice
in and before such ccurt, and appear
ance of parties, in person or by attorney,
and all matters pertaining and needful
to the due performance of the duties OF
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