New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-04-06
ARMY OFFICERS "A INDIAN AGENTS.
THE SENATE DEBATES THE PROVISIONS OF THE
HOUSE BILL.

THE SENATE DEBATES THE PROVISIONS OF THE
house BILL.
Washington, April 5.-The Indian Appropriation
bin taken up In tho Senate to-day, the question
being on Mr.. Dawes's motion to strike out the pro
vision for the assignment Of Army officers TO the
duties OF Indian agents with the amendment attached
to 1t las offered by Mr.. IIawley that whenever the
President shall be OF opinion that the good Of the
service specially requires II. he may appoint civilian
Mr.. Pettigrew moved to strike the original pro
vision and Mr.. Hawley's amendment and to insert IN
lieu thereof the following
The President Is authorized to detail officers Of the
United states Army TO act rs Indian agents at al
agencies where he shall deem such action for the
benefit OF the service.
Mr. Palmer argued against the policy OF the House
provision In the course Of his argument and OF
Interruptions Of It by other Senators he appeared TO be
surprised learning that there were Indians who were
United states citizens and voters.
lie was Informed by several senators Of bodies Of
Indians who are voters. Mr.. Palmer confessed
tba, :, talk about United states citizens having
agents over them was q startling thing to him. The
House provision was he said, contrary to sound
political principles.
Mr. pcttigrew expressed his hearty concurrence IN
everything that Mr. Palmer said
Mr.. MaidcrsOn made an argument IN support OF ihe
nronosion 10 assign Army officers to the post Of Indian
agent as vacancies occur. IL was not ne eau' a new
or startling proposition as the President had possessed
duties for all these years past The House proposition
merely directed that II be done. lie had KNOWN very
many valuable and efficient agents who wore ciViahs'
Int herhought that lettering of the condition OF the
Indians would be to place them under Army oncers.
He referred TO the fact that civilian agents were liable
TO be removed with every political change OF ADMINS
tration
Mr. Culom argued against the proposition saying
,ha. the training OF Army officers did not fit them Tor
the place Of agents. Civilian Indian agents had COM
plained of unfit supplies, just Army Indian agents
had
Mr. Washbnrn asked Mr.. Cullom whether as Il
matter Of fact such Army officers as would be trans
ferrcd (auartermasters and commissares) were not
better adapted to perform the dutee OF lhdish agents
than civilians appointed for political services as hhc-
tentls Of them were
Mr.. CullOm-I say "No.' .
Mr. Proctor argued briefly In support OF tle hou'e
proposition. -
Mr. Dawes (havinc charge OF the DID maze M
earnest appeal 20 the Senate 10 agree TO his motion
10 strike the Army oriccr provision out Of the biH'
why no asked should there be such departure from
- tnd,an nnlicv7 Was there any other service
kvcn tnat ~ thc War De partmcntl that had shown
tescr tn.tonce, of fraud IN lis administrator umh
The lndinn service for the Inst ten years WHO VIC
s'note ,yns debating IN. question. the war Department
,r,S reviewing courts mattial on omccrS Tor I"'">
and duplication of vouchers ,, -. on
"iN I'M Pnnriers gave notice that he would speak on
the suhioct and the senate adjourned