The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-04-02

chusetts. rising and asking unanimous con-
sent that Mr. Joseph Francis, who received
the thanks OF Congress AZ the inventor of
tho life saving service. who was now ninety
one years of age. and WHO marched IN tho
war or 1912 70 the defense OF the seacoast
being then a lad Of ten years of age. be nd
mitted TO the floor Of the senate.
Mr.. Faulkner of West virginia. who was
in the chair in the temporary absence Of the
Nice-president put tho motion and II was
unanimously acceded to.
Mr.. Hoar retired TO the lobby and almost
Immediately returned. escortnga gray haired
gentlemen walking with firm springy step.
who. except for q very decided sioop in his
shoulders looked scarcely older than his
escort. This was blr. Francis. he took q
seat on a corner lounge and listened 20 the
proceedings with evident qualification at the
distinction conferred upon him.
Mr.. GEoRGE's IGNORANCE o. FIGURES.
When the discussion of the Indian bill was
resumed there was an amusing episode At the
expense OF DIR. George, OF Mississippi, who.
on "a previous occasion had informed the
Senate that he knew very little personally
about finances or figures Mr. George re-
marked that the appropriation for the educa-
tlOn OF indian children carried bg the bill
amounted 10 s2.2gl 600. He asked Of Mr.
Dawes now many Indian children there were
Of the school age.
Mr. George SAID then the appropriation for
their education amounted 20 nearly $1,000
head.
Mr. Manderson remarked amid some
laughter that If the number OF Indian children
were 5,OOO.OJO instead of $4,000 the aprro-
prlauon would only amount to tl00 q head.
Mr. George. in some apparent confusion
admitted his error, but asked how many
Indian children there were Rttendn- school.
MIR. Dawes answered about le 0oO These
heures seemed again to involve Mr.. George in
perplexity. and he asked with amusing
naiyette. VIII somebody tell me how many
Indians there are IN this country. ANYHOW -
Mr.. Dolph replied that not including tho
Indians OF Alaska the number was believed
to be $50 900.
Mr. George thereupon inquired whether the
Indians were increasing or decreasing.
Mr. Villas. ex-Secretary of the Interior. in
response, said that. according TO the historian
Bancroft the total number OF Indians in this
country on its settlement by the white man
was about $50 GOO. According to the last cen
sus that number had been reduced to about
000J.
Mr. George said that he would be glad to
know (and be supposed the taxpayers gen.
orally would be gladto know that the Indian
population was in rapid course OF decrease.
if appropriations were TO be made Tor them at
tins rate
This remark drew from Mr. Villas a little
later vigorous protest. He said 10 was easy
TO handy wit about appropriations for what
were called the wards Of the nation" who
were the wards of the nation simply because
they had been subject TO the spoliation Of the
nation. But Congress had to face great
danger TO existing society. We must either
kill these Indians or lift them up.
Shortly after O'Clock the Senate went into
executive session and adjourned until Mon
day leaving the Indian Appropriation bill
still lacking a final vote on It's adoption as
amended.
Ii was understood that on Monday further
yea and nay vote would be taken on the ques-
ton of assigning army officers TO duty as In
dian agents.