The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1892-02-18
Duty of the Government to the Indian
Discussed in the House Yesterday.
Lively Passage Between Watson, Of Georgia,
and Funston, Of fKsnsas-The President on
the Choctaw and Chickasaw Claims
Short Selling Of "Wind" Wheat Des
nounced by Flour Miller ? Pillsbury.
Thinks that Cereal Would Have Been Much
Higher This Year but for the Bears
Argument Against Statehood for Utah.


FIRED WORDS AT EACH OTHER
A Georgian and "a Kansan Meet on the Floor
of the House, with Bynnm as Referee.
WASHINGTON. Feb. 1.-THE House has
fairly entered upon consideration of the
appropriations. and the second bill or i'm
portance WIS to-day taken up-the Indian
appropriation bill. As usual in the dis
cussion of this bill. the Indian agents and
their treatment OF the Nations wards came
in for a good deal of denunciation. and to
have heard the manner in which the hu-
manitarians of the House arraigned the
American government for its treatment of
the aboriginal red men would have glad
dened the hearts of the European philan-
thropists. But humanity and sentiment
soon gave way to practical politics. and
then the House had q half hours enjoy
ment over the lively passage between Rep
resetative Watson. the keen-wit itted Farm-
ers' Alliance member of Georgia, and Rep
resentative Funston, the sturdy Repub-
lican debater of Kansas. Each gentleman
was warmly applarded by his partlsans.
and, as Mr.. Watson's contest this time hap
pcned to be with Republican. he also nat
rally had the encouragement and ap-
ause of the Democrats.
Immediately after the introduction of
Ills aud resolutions the House went into
ommlttee of the wbole-Mr. Bynnm, of
indiana. in the chair-on the Indian ap-
preparation bill The first dispute arose over
the Limitation TO be placed upon general
debate, Mr.. Peel of Arkansas and Nj. w IL
son of. Washington. representing, respect
lively, the majority and minority of the
committee on Indian affairs. being in entire
accord as to the propriety of restricting the
discussion TO the smallest possib BILE compass.
But the Peoples party, speaking through
Mr. watson Of Georgia and Mr.. simpson
of Kansas. insisted upon Its right to debate
the measure. and Its protest against
Limitation finally proved OF some avail, as
the discussion was begun without any
Limitation being ordered. Mr.. Peel made
the opening speech, and fully explained
the provisions of the hill.
Mr.. Stockdale of Mississippi criticised
the appropriation for the Indian school &C
Carlisle, Pa. characterizlng IL as 100000
folly. He protested against taking money
out of the pockets of has people to pay for
boordinR- schools for Indians. The Indians
were as well able To work as were the peo-
pie he represented-black and white-and
vet his people were taxed TO pay for the
transportation of Indians In palace cars TO
Carlisle. The colored people worked day
by day to furnish the money that Congress
appropriated 10 the Indians; and yet the
United States refused 10 give TO these
OF their people. He aid not believe that
the schools had o civilizing influence upon
the Indians.
HIS HEART BLEEDs.
Mr.. Watson of Georgia said that his
heart was bleeding with q sense OF the dis
tress of the people he represented. But his
voice could never be raised in this hall
against fair, liberal and wise appropria-
tion for the red men of the West Ap-
plause.l What his people wanted was not
stinginess In the treatment of other people.
but Justice to themselves. Give them fair
laws-laws that recognized no special class;
that recognized no special privileges. Re-
ferring to the agricultural interests of the
country, he argued that the prices of the
products of the farmers had been greatly
decreased owing to the financial laws now
in force. He was frequently interrupted
by Mr.. Funston of Kansas. whom he dubbed
Farmer Funston" and tho colloQuy be-
tween the two gentlemen was amusing.
though carried on amid confusion which
rendered their voices almost indistingulsb-
able. Mr. Watson delared that. according
Census. every man. woman and child in the
land was entitled TO $1,000, but under the
law the money had been dumped into the
hands of those who had special privileges.
Those sections of the country where rail-
roads thrived, where banks thrived. where
monopolies thrived, had been built mp at
the expense of the agricultural interests.
For the last twenty-five years the national
banks had held the peoples money for /
per cent. and had been making thereon by
lending 1t to the people to. whom IL be-
longed at between : ana 80 per cent
At this point Mr.. Funston again inter
rupted and, despite Mr.. Watson's refusal
TO yield and his suggestion that Mr. Funs-
to ply Mr. Watson with questions, much TO
the merriment OF the House. The con-
fusion was great and it was in vain that
the chairman reminded Mr.. Funston that
the gentlemen from Georgia could not be
interrupted without his consent: Mr..
Funston was persistent in his queries and
his persistency led 10 Mr.. Watson inouir-
ing: who IS boesf The chairman. OF the
gentleman from Kansas" Continuing
Mr.. Watson attacked the national bank
ing laws and many of his statements were
contradicted by Mr. Funston.
One of Mr.. Funston's queries was
docs the Igentleman mean TO say that the
government loans money TO national bankf
for the purpose of circulationp
There is no gentlemen who has heard
me that does not understand me- was Mr.
Watson's terse response. Applause.
IF you show this House." continued Mr.
Funston. that the government has Loaned
81 TO national banks for purposes Of circula-
ton / will resign my seat IN favor Of o
Democrat" lApplanse.
The lnducement is very great" retorted
Mr.. Watson. amid increased merriment and
Democratic applause.
In conclusion Mr.. Watson said that the
bankers, the manufacturers and the rail-
roads had asked Congress for donations
The farmers had asked for nothing. Class
legislation had been the ruin of the coun-
try. Gentlemen talked about the defense
OF the country by the construction of q
navy and by the erection of forts. but the
strongest defense the country could have
was in the strong arms of her citizenship.
The best bulwark of constitutional govern
a government that recognized no special
class or section but did the right thing.
whether to the red man, the black man or
the white man. After further debate the
committee rose and the House adjourned.