The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1892-08-06
CONGRESSIONAL MATTERS.
Interesting Wrangle in the House Over
the Bill Pens0ning Sodiers Who
Fought In Indian Wars.

Secretary Elkins has formally APP
proved the proposition for the c0nstruc-
tioniOf two free bridges across the Will
annette river at Portland, Or, according
to the plans Of the local engineers.
The House Committee on Indian Az
fairs has iavorably reported Senator
! Dolph's bill granting 10 the Blue Mount
ain Irrigation Company a right Of way
for reservoirs and canal through the
Unatilla Indian reservation in Oregon.
There Is quite an interesting wrangle
over the bill now pending in the House
Tor pensioning soldiers who fought in the
Indian wars. Representative Wilson Of
Washington and Senator Mitchell OF Or
egon are insisting that, while pensioning
those soldiers who fought in the Indian
wars OF comparatively recent period,
those who participated In the early In
dian wars in Oregon and Washington
should also receive their reward. IL is
on this proposition that the two Houses
are now in disagreement, but it is hoped
that the early Indian fighters who are
still living will be included.
The bill which passed the House TO
enforce reciprocal commercial relations
between the United States and Canada
provides that when the President shall
be satisfied that the passage through any
canal or lock connected with navigation
on the st. Lawrence river, the Great
Lakes or the waterways connecting the
same OF any vessels OF the United States,
or OF cargoes or of passengers in transit
TO any part OF the United States, is pro-
hibited, or made difficult or burdeneOme
by the imposition of tolls or otherwise,
which he shall deem to be reciprocally
unjust and unreasonable, he shall have
power to suspend the right of passage
through the st. Mary's Falls canal 30
far as it relates to vessels owned by sub
jects OF any government discriminating
against the United States.
Senator Pettigrew will very soon re-
port bill OF great in Importance to every
county, township, school district and
State where there are Indians who have
taken lands in allotment under the pres
ent laws. So soon as Indians take the
lands in allotments they become citizens
and are allowed to vote, but they are not
obliged to pay any taxes. This bill pro-
poses that the government shall pay the
taxes for the Indians to the same amount
and at the same rates as the white peo-
Pile situated alongside of the Indians,
the object being that, as the government
says the Indians shall be taxed, the gov
ernment should provide for the payment
OF taxes in States where Indians are To-
Gated and where they receive the bene-
fits Of taxation and civilization. 1t
seems like a very sensible thing, and
will perhaps be favorably considered in
the Senate.
Further investigation into the proposal
to issue proclamation opening the Col
vile Indian reservation leads to the con-
clusion that no such proclamation will
be made until after the lands have been
surveyed and the Indians have secured
their allotments. The reason for this
course OF action is to prevent the end.
less litigation which is sure to follow,
especially if white settlers 90 in and
make selections which after survey the
Indians desire. Under the law the In
dian can oust the white man from his
claim, and if white man is fortunate
enough to secure a valuable mineral
tract, person wanting the land could
easily induce the Indian to oust him and
cause a great deal of trouble and ex-
pense. So it is probable that the $685.
900 appropriation for surveying the land
will be Immediately expended and the
Indians requested to take allotments,
after which the proclamation opening
the land to the white settlers will be
issued.