The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-02-28
IN THE HOUSE.
Army Officers as Indian Agents-Educa-
tion of the Red Children.

WASHINGTON CITY, Feb 27.-The House of
Representatives today, in considering the In
dian appropriations BILL authorized an innova-
tion which, ii concurred in by the Senate. will
be OF great interest to Indian agents and officers
OF the regular army. An amendment proposed
by Bowers of California was adopted, providing
that the president may detail officers OF the
army to act as Indian agents whenever vacan-
cies occur. On motion OF Holman it was
amended to provide that such officers while
acting Indian agents, shall be under the orders
and direction OF the secretary of the interior
In advocating his amendment Bowers said that
sooner or later the people would compel the
adoption of the principle involved therein.
Army officers were second to no people on earth
IN the matter OF integrity and honor. II they
performed the duties of Indian agents the
| Indians would be fairly dealt with, and there
| will be no more wars.
Wilson of Washington did not think army
officers would make good Indian agents. Bow
| ers took an opposite view, and added that when
| the present Indian agents got into trouble army
| officers were called On TO quel the disturbance
/ At this point Holman's amendment, mentioned
| above, WAS adopted.
| Simpson of Kansas favored Bowers amend
! ment, and said it was the fret time he had
| heard any excuse for the existence OF an army
| in this country. Here was proposition 70 put
| the army in some useful employment and take
| political strikers out OF Office. Upon a standing
| vote the committee agreed 10 Bowers amend
| ment as amended, s. to 80. Piekler of south
/ Dakota raised the point OF no quorum.
| Wilson OF Washington said there evidently
| was quorum. The chair (Byuum) said there
| was evidently quorum present, but the chair
| could not vote them the gentlemen must do
their own voting. [Applause on the Demo-
| cratic side
| On O vote by members the amendment was
/ adopted, l,3 to 43. Although 1t was thus agreed
/ TO by committee of the whole, Peel of Arkansas
! gave notice that he would ask a separate vote in
] the House This was too important a matter to
| be legislated upon without greater consider
! alton than had been given it,
| The committee then passed to confederation
of the clause appropriaring Sl00,D0O for the CON
| struction and repa.i of Indian day and indus
I trial schools. An amendment by Lynch of
| Wisconsin was adopted, Providing that all
| school houses erected shall be built on the res
| ervat.ons, or as near the boundary as practi-
| cable
] Reed of Maine advocated the propO.ition in
! creasiug by $4,000 the appropriation for the
| education of the Indians. The Indian must be
| educated as a whole, said he II would be use
| less TO take child here and there and, after
| educating him, send him back 10 become a
! blanket Indian. There are today 5000 Yadisn
! children, the government educating 1000, but
| 1t IS rich enough 10 educate all Ii would be a
| fundamental mistake on the part of the nation
| 10 stop in the work OF education. The people oi
/ this country were composed of many races
/ They must be made one, race that has some
| idea of civilization and progress Reeds amend.
! ment was defeated Pending final action the
committee rose and the house adjourned