New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-02-28
SUNDAY EDITION. !
FEB. %, 1892.
ARMY OFFICERS AS AGENTS.
THE INDIAN APPROPRIATION BILL IN TIE
HOUSE
Mr.. BowERs's AMENDMENT ADOPTED BY THE
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE.


COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE.
Washington Feb. 27.-The speaker this morning
announced the appointment of Mr.. Compton, OF Mary
land, as consulting trustee Of the reform school for
boys in the District of Columbia.
On motion OF Mr.. Smith, Of Arizona, bill was
passed rafying tie act OF the Arizona Territorial Leg
stature making appropriation for Altoona eX-
hibit at the Worlds FAIR
The House then went into Committee Of the Whole
NIr. Bynum Of Indiana. III the chair on the Indian
Appropriation bill
Mr. Bowers, OF California. Offered an amendment
authorizing the President TO detail officers of the
Army as Indian agents when vacancy occurred in
any of the agencies. In advocatn ghs amendment he
stated that soccer or later the people would compel
the adoption of the principle involved therein. The
officers Of the Army second TO people on
earth in the matter of integrity and honor. If they
performed the duties of Indian agents the Indians
would be fairly dealt with.
Mr.. Wilson, of Washington suggested that the
officers had been educated soldiers, not as Indian
agents, and he did not believe they would perform
good service in the latter capacity.
Mr.. Bowers took the opposite view, and contended
that Army officers would conduct the agencies much
better than they wore conducted at present.
Mr.. Stockdae. of Mississippi, was forcbly impressed
with the propriety OF the amendment Whenever an
Army officer was ia charge OF work, that work was
well and honestly performed.
Mr.. Buchanan, of New-Jersey, sarcastically in
quired whether the gentleman referred to the work
on the new aqueduct in the northwestern portion OF
the district.
Mr. stockdale replied that that was an exception;
but called attention to the fact that the inquiry into
the matter was entrusted TO Army officers If an
Indian agent was dishonest or neglectiul, he might
escape, but Army officer could not.
Mr.. Pickler, of South Dakota, opposed the amend
ment. There not an Indian that would consent
to have Army officers In control of the agencies
nf no Iudia might IN ha
OF weight In the settlement OF this question.
Mr. Brosus OF Pennsylvan antasonized the
amendment. He did not believe that officers could
DO detailed 10 perform these duties without iHpanng
the efficiency OF the Army
Nir Holman, of Indiana, offered an amendment to
the amendment providing that the Army officers. while
acting Indian agents. shall be under the orders ana
direction of the Secretary OF the Interior Agreed to-
Mr. simpson, of Kansas, favored Mr Bowers's amend
ment. Here proposition TO put the Army IN
some useful employment. and proposition to lake
political strikers ont Of Office.
Upon a standing vote the committee agreed to MT
Bowers's amendment, as amended-53 to 40.
Mr. Picker Of south Dakota, raised the point OF no
quorum.
Mr. Wilson, Of Washington, said that there was evi
IDENTIFY quorum present.
The Chair replied that there was evidently quorum
present but that the Chair could not vote them. The
gentlemen must do their own voting. (Appause Oh
Democratic sde1
On vote BY tcers. Mr.. Bowerss amendment was
adopted-123 TO 40. .
nittee. Mr. Peel. Of Arkansas gave notice that he
would ask separate vote upon il III The House ne
thought that this too important sdblect 70 be
legslated upon without greater dcitberaOn and c0nSd
Grafton than had been given to II.
Mr.. Picker thought that the Indian serNrc >honlN
not be turned over to Army officers and their soDS
Mr.. simpson inquired whether IT was not worse to
turn to politicians who we're appointed In oner
IL. de political work in the Western states
The committee then passed on 20 Consideration o.
the clause appropatng 100000 for the construction
and repair OF Indian day and Industrial schools, and
on motion Of Mr.. Lynch, Of Wisconsin, an amendment
was adopted prov ding that all school houses erected
under this appropriation shall be built on the Nsef-
VatOns near the boundary oil the reservation %
may be practicable
Mr. BrC,ius nj Pennsylvania in advocating liberal
appropration for Tie eiucatOn Vi the Indians expressed
the earnest hope The sentiment OF ieehchheht ana
reform that sweeping like shnOJm through the
ouls of some gentlemen would not G. III: House from
exercising degree of Nbeidlty IN Inc euucaIo@
portion Of the Indian policy.
Mr. pro.iu, alluded T. Mr.. smith. Of Arizona,
savage an allu,ion which brought Mr.. smith TO his
feet and between hin. and Nj. Broaus there was AN
exchange OF gOOd-natuIed but sarcastic compliments
Mr. smith denied that he lad ever SAID one worn
against Indian education, as sensiDy exercises. u
was more for Indian 20 hncw no" 10 '"oe mr.
Than now TO sing q song Farmers, aud not spelling
,plr. should 0C me teachers u
Mr. Reed. Of Sl,inc, presented his We've on thc
Indian problem, ana advocated a proposition h'red,-
ing by goo. 900 Appropriation Tor tue cIucauOh
az the red men The inGiaLs must be cducd teu a. IL
uolle There were today 10000 Indian cilil1fei.
me (;oyerDment was educating .O.OOJ; but II wa
rich enough and sensible enough To educate all ~
would be fundamental mstahc IN Tho part OF ,ih i
Nation 10 Stop in the work Of education. The people
Of this oouni were composed OF many races. ines
races must - made homogeneous ana thty t'. 30, DC
made one racea that had the same idea OF ciVi-
lizatlOn and progress.
MIR Peel OF ArDansae made a speech III genera
defence OF The BILL declaring that the Committee on
Indian Affairs had faithfully performed II, duty anu
DENYING that IL had any way crippled the Indian
service. ~. ,,,ro,. i,,,
MIR Reed OF Maine. offered an amendment increasing
from ~ 600 900 10 ~ 3OOC coo the appropriation for
The support Of Indian day and Industrial Schools Inc
amendment was lost 800 , ....o go
and the House adjourned.