New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-04-29
THE CHOCTAW AWARD.
RESOLUTION IN THE SENATE TO FAY THE
CLAIM.
PRESIDENT HARNsoN's PRUDENT DELAY DUE
TO DISCOVERY OF THE CLAIM
AGENTS CONTRACTS
IhY TELEGRAPH TO TmE rmBuxR. 7

IhY TELEGRAPH TO THE TnIBuSE.I
Washington. April .s.-The Senate spent the whoie
OF to days session In animated discussion oil the
now famous Choctaw award OF last winter, on which
the executive branch OF the Government has so far
delayed actual payment and now recommends to
Congress some modification OF the terms OF the oI1gi
nal purchase. The amount involved in the suspended
APPROXIMATION Is about 5000 900 - .90l 49, to be
exact-and by contract made between the Choctaws
and certain claim agents in this city 100000 OF the
appropriation l. TO be given up outright attorneys
fees. The provision for payment forced into the
Indian bill Of last session senate amendment.
On the discovery Of the character OF the contract
made between the Chocaws and their agents here
the Administration decided to take advantage of a
discretionary clause I'm the act and hold mp the first
payment. for which demand was made nearly year
ago on February l.. President Harrison sent a
message b. Congress explaining his reasons for not
executing the law. and recommending a review Of the
case and some remedial legislation The Senate Com
mittce Indian Affairs considered the message for
nearly two months. and then authorized Mr.. Jones
TO report resolution declaring that In the opinion Of
the senate, there was sufficient reason for In
reference In the due execution OF the law
In the debate today the advocates Of the resolution
endeavored TO make the point that the President was
assuming right which he did possess. Of obstruct
ing the due execution Of laws passed by Congress
That the language Of the act tho President ample
discretionary authority cannot be doubted, however for
the amendment that the appropriation Is TO be-
come operative only upon the execution Of release and
convevances to the United States Of all the title OF the
indians in the land mot including Grier County, which
Is now in diSpueD.
The action Of the President In referring the subject
back 10 Congress cannot DO condemned, I'm fact Mr.
Jones and Mr.. Teller tried demonstrate IL coud be-
ON the other hand. il Is 10 be commended as highly
prudent and justifablc. As 10 the actual merit Of
the claim, there Is much difference OF opinion The
President was unwilling TO approve the cOnveyances
and releases, because he thought the Choctnws were
being made the victims Of an eXtOrtiOnate claim for
compensation and because evidence submitted
showing That there had been bribery In connection with
the drawing Of the contract for fees. The President
also argued that the Choctaws had no real title to
portion ot the land purchased. and that the price paid
for this should be- deducted from the total Of the appro
pristlOn.
senator Allison today defended the position taken
by the President in an able and earnest speech while
Mr.. Jones and Mr. Perkins talked IN favor Of letting
the money b. paid out without further objection Part
Of the land bought, they said had arcndy been opened
for settlement and being sold by the Government
al an advance Of - cents acIp. that II tOD
late now 20 ~ back and maxi" new arrangement. No
action was taken the resolution which went
until next Monday.