The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-02-20
SESSION OF THE SENATE.
vANCE'S CREDENTIALS FOR Els
NEW TERM PRESENTED.

The Indian DeDredations Claims ELL
Under Discussion-Ingalls Places His
Resignation as President Pro Tenn
pore at the Disposal OF the Senate
A Bill to Pension Mrs. Porter.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 19.-In the Senate TO-
day the credentials of Mr.. Vance for his
new senatorial term, beginning March
next, were presented by Mr.. Ransom and
placed on file.
The bill for the adjudication Of the claims
arising from theIndian depredations hav~
ing been taken up as unfinished business"
Mr.. Gray appealed to the Senate for an
evening session for the consideration of the
bill to transfer the revenue marine from
the treasury department to the navy de-
partment. The appeal was not successful,
and consideration Of the Indian depreciation
bill was proceeded with.
INGALLS, EXPIRING TERM.
Mr., ingalls,, who was occupying the Vice
Presidents chair as presiding officer pro
tenn made personal statement. He said;
-Four years ago, on the 25th of the present
month, was chosen president of the Sen
ate pro tenlpore; and by subsequent cleo
tion was continued in that station
until April 2 last, when, under
resolution of March 12 preceding,
was unanimously designated to preside
during the future absence of the Vice Presi-
dent. and at the pleasure of the Senate-a
function not previously exercised by any
member of the body during
the century of it's existence
| The Senate having been formally notified
that my service here will end with the close
Of this congress, in order to avoid embar-
rassment and to afford opportunity for
deliberation, now tender my resignation
as president of the Senate pro
tempore, TO take effect on
| the election of my successor
| in Office. It would be an afRectation of in
| difference unworthy of the Senate, un-
worthy of myself and unworthy of this
occasion, were l to pretend to be uncon-
scious Of the distinction that has
been conferred upon. me by the
alike wanting in sensibility and desti-
tute of gratitude, were | TO withhold
expression of my grateful appreciation of
| the confidence and consideration SO long
| continued, with which / have been honored
| by the MOST digpihed, most important. and
most influential legislative assembly in the
world"
INDIANS TO BE BELIEVED.
At the close Of Mr.. Ingalls, sstatement
with, the pending question being on Mr..
Edmunds' motion to strike out section g.
which provides that no claim by Indians
shall be allowed by the court on the unsup-
| ported testimony of an Indian.
The motion gave rise to long debate, in
| which Messrs. Edmunds, Dawes, Hoar. No
| Pherson, Vest and Spooner argued in favor
of it, and ALessrs Wolcott, Faulkner,
Dolph and Turpie in opposition to it.
Finally the motion to strike out was
agreed to-yeas 81, nays IA.
Mr.. Hoar moved to strike out the clause
providing for the adjudication and pay
ment of claims by Indians who have suf-
fered the loss of property through white
men or Indians Of other tribes. The motion
| out.
THE LIMITATION.
Mr.. Davis offered an amendment to add
to section 4 proviso that the limitation of
time in the section shall not apply to or bar
| the claims for compensation for Indian
depredations in Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska,
Kansas or Dakota in 1862 or thereafter. Ali
those states, he said, had been
break in 1862 This was tabled, but on
motion of Mr.. Gambler the time Of limita-
ton was changed to 1866. Various other
amendments were offered and agreed to,
and the bill was passed.
A conference was asked on the disagree
ing votes of the two houses, and Messrs.
Moody. Paddock and Faulkner were ap-
pointed conferees on the part of the Senate.
| PROVISIONS OF THE BILL.
The bill as passed gives jurisdiction and
authority to the court Of claims to inquire
iuto and finally adjudicate all claims for
property of citizens Of the United States,
4 taken or destroyed by Indians belonging to
any band, tribe or nation in amity with
the United States and all just offsets and
| counter-claims. District courts Of the United
States are TO have concurrent Jurisdiction
with the court Of claims where the amount
| of the claim does not exceed $4,000; and the
| circuit courts OF the United States are to
have concurrent Jurisdiction where the
amount exceeds $4,000 and does not exceed
| $4,000. All questions of Limitation as to
the time and manner of presenting claims
are waived provided that no claim ac-
| cruing prior TO July /, 1865,
shall be considered unless it has been
passage of the act, before the Secretary of
the Interior or before congress. Judgments
against any band or tribe Of Indians are to
| be charged against that band or tribe,
and are to be paid from the
annuties due to it from the United
States; aud, if no annuities are
due, then from any other funds due to it by
|
from any appropriation for its benefit, and,
| if there are no annuities, funds or appropria-
tions payable to such Indian band or tribe,
then the judgments are to be paid out Of the
treasury.
A PENSION FOR MRS. PORTER
| Mr.. Mcpherson introduced bill. which
was referred to the committee on pensions,
| giving pension of S2.500 a year to the
| widow of Admiral Porter.
| ha canal 20
on motion of Frye, and became the "unfin-
| ished busin ess."
1t was laid aside informally, and the
! House bill for the erection of United States
prisons and for the imprisonment of United
| States prisoners was taken from the calen-
| dar and passed with amendments. A con-
| ference was asked, and Messrs. Hoar, vii
son of Iowa and Pugh were appointed a
conference committee on the part Of the
| Senate.
The Senate then adjourned.
4 m A ny