St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1892-02-28
OFFICERS AS AGENTS.
The House Provides for an In
novation in Management
Of Indians.
Regular Army Men May Be
Detailed 10 Fill Vacancies
as They Occur.
interior Department Civilians
to Order and Direct the
Soldiers.
Wattulath, of st. Paul, and
Senator Platt Commune
Together.

WAsHINGToN, Feb. 27.-The house
of representatives today, in its consid-
GRAFTON of the Indian appropriation bill,
authorized an innovation which, if
concurredin by the senate, will be of
great interest to Indian agents and
officers of the regular army. After two
hours debate, san amendment pro-
posed by Mr. Bowers, of California,
was adopted, providing that the presi-
dent may detail officers of the army to
act as Indian agents whenever vacan-
cies occur in any of the agencies. On
motion of Mr.. Holman, however, a
further amendment was adopted, pro-
viding that such army officers, while
acting as Indian agents, shall be under
the orders and direction of the secretary
of the interior.
How army officers will receive this in
nOvatiOn is matter Of great specula-
tion among congressman today, as OIL
GERS of the regular army have always
been very Jealous of their independent
position, and may resent being trans
ferred from the war department
and placed under the orders
Of the civilians of the inte-
rior department. There are many
representatives, however, who main
tain that the change will be welcome
one to the army officers. and under the
present regime the Indians will be
much more fairly treated.
Blamed the Agents.
1t is pertient to state in this connec-
ton that Western Amy officers have
generally contended that all the troub-
les with the Indians for years past have
been attributable to the Indian agents,
and that the Indian problem would
never be solved until the wards of the
nation were placed under the direct
Charge of the army officers and the war
department. The committee of the
whole was presided over by Mr.. Bynum,
of Indiana, and the amendment of Mr..
Bowers was the first one today pro-
posed to the bill. In advocating his
amendment, Mr.. Bowers stated that
sooner or later the people
would compel the adoption OF
the principle involved therein. The
officers of the army were second to no
people on earth in the matter of integ-
Tity and honor. If they performed the
duties of Indian agents, the Indians
would be fairly dealt with. The Indians
respected the officers, and if they were
put in charge of the agencies, there
would be no more wars.
Mr.. Wilson OWash.) suggested that
the officers had been educated as SOL
diers, not as Indian agents, and ne did
not believe they would perform good
services in the latter capacity. Mr..
Bowers took the opposite view, and con-
tended that army officers would conduct
tho aoraDaiac t,of ], bo,,
conducted at present. When the Indian
agents got into trouble the army officers
were called i'll to quell the disturbance.
Mr.. Picker opposed the amendment
and Mr.. Holman, of Indiana, proposed
an amendment, which was at once
agreed to, providing that the army
officers. while acting as Indian agents,
shall be under the orders and direction
OF the secretary OF the interior.
Simpsons Sarcasm.
Mr.. Simpson (Kan.) favorefl Mr.. Bow
erS' amendment. This was the first
time he had ever heard an excuse for
the existence of an army in this coun-
Try. Langhter.l Here was propo-
sition TO put the army in some useful
employment, and proposition to take
political strikers out of office. He
could not see how the Democrats could
vote against it, unless it was that thew
expected to control this political force in
the future. But in view of the dissen-
SionS I'D their ranks and their inability
to agree on any economic policy. it was
not clear to him that they would have
a chance to control it.
Upon standing vote, the committee
agreed to Mr.. Bowers amendment as
amended-S3 to 10. Mr.. Picker IS. d.
raised the point of no quorum. Mr.. Will
son (Wash.) said that there was evil
IDENTITY quorum present.
The chair replied that there was evil
IDENTITY quorum present, but that the
chair could not vote them. The gentle
men must do their own voting. ZAP
pause on the Democratic side.l On a
vote by tellers, Mir. Bowers amend
ment was adopted-yeas 123, NAYS 43.
Although the amendment was agreed to
by the committee, Mr.. Peel, of Arkan-
SaS, gave notice that he would ask
separate vote upon it in the house.
The committee then passed on To
consideration of the clause appropriate
ing 100000 for the construction and re-
pair OF Indian day and industrial
schools, and on motion of Mr.. Lynch,
of Wisconsin, an amendment was
adopted providing that all school
houses erected under this appropriation
shall be built Oh the reservations. or as
near the boundary of the reservation as
may be practicable.
Indian Education.
Mr.. Reed, of Maine, presented his
views on the Indian problem and advo.
Gated proposition increasing bv 5000
600 the appropriation for the education
OF the red men. The Indians must he
educated as a whole. 1t was useless
TO take child here and there. and after
educating him, send him back to a saw
age tribe to again become a blanket
Indian There were today 80, 900 Indian
children. The government was educating
10000, but it was rich enough and sensi.
bic enough TO educate all. 1t would he
fundamental mistake on the part of
this nation to stop in the work of educa-
ton. The people of this country were
composed OF many races. Those races
must be made homogeneous, and they
must be made one race-a race that had
some idea of civilization and progress.
Mr.. Peel, of Arkansas, made speech
In general defense of the bill, declaring
that the committee on Indian affairs had
faithfully performed its duty and deny
ing tdat 1t had in any way crippled the
Indian service. Mr.. Reed, of Maine,
Onered an amendment Increasing from
Sl,OOO,O00 TO $1,000, 600 the appropriation
Ior the support of Indian day and in
oustrlal schools, but it was lost. Pend
ing nhal action on the bill, the commit
zee rose ana the house adjourned.