The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1896-04-21
CHDROKEES' LAWYERS.
Claims Against Government for
Services Rendered Indians.
COLLECTED MONEY DUE THEM AND
APPROPRIATED liz FOR FEES.
Now They Want Something Additional

From Congress-Matter Debated in
the Senate--Appropriation Bills Before
the House Also-Responsibility for
Revenue Deficiency Discussed.
Washington, April 20.-In the Senate
the House joint resolution for the ap-
pointment of four members of the board
of managers of the National Home for
Disabled Volunteer Soldiers, has passed.
Mr.. Mitchell gave notice that on We'd
nesday next he would address the Senate
in favor of bill to pension the survivors
of Indian wars.
The sundry civil appropriation bill was
reported from the committee on appro-
pfiations by Mr.. Allison, who said that
he would ask the Senate to consider it at
the earliest possible momont.
The Indian appropriation bill was TAX
en- up at the request of Mr. Pettigrew,
no effort being made to give procedure to
the resolution for the Investigation Of
the bond issues.
In the absence of Mr.. Carter all the
propositions relating to Indian schools
WoAO AbAN ep5AuO
The committee amendment for therrpay-
ment Of specific sums TO some IA lawyers
for legal services to the Western Cherokee
Indians. was taken up and Mr.. Chandler
stated his objections to it.
Mr.. Brown questioned the lawfulness
OF the contract, and the value of the SER
vices performed. 1t seemed to him a
"palpable steal, clean and unvarnished. 7"
His Indignation WAS aroused at the idea
that an American Senate would talk of
voting for such an amendment. There
was isroposition to pay $29. 600 Co one
individual. For what? For hanging
around and annoying senators, giving
him for that az much as would be the
income of United States district at
torney for five years.
Mr.. Gray expressed desire to know
thesrule of deciding the question of a
lobbyists services.
Mr.. Pettigrew, Republican Of South
Dakota, said that more than 20 years
ago the western Chsrokees made writ
ten contract with Joel M. Bryan, to pay
him 85 per cent of all the money to be
recovered by him on their claim of $500, :
600 against the government; that he pro-
secuted the claim in the courts and
recovered the sum which was paid to
this amount had been all distributed ex-
cept $4,000 provided in this bill. No
one but Bryan was interested in the
controversy, as the 85 per cent all be-
longed to him and not dollar of it could
60 to the Indians.
Mr.. Teller. Republican of Colorado.
defended the com mittee amendments,
and gave a history of the transaction,
with which he was familiar, as having
been Secretary of the Interior when the
first contract with Mr.. Bryan came up
for approval.
In the course OF his remarks, he men,
toned the fact that among the lawyers
employed by Mr.. Bryan. was Mr.. Cleve.
lands first attorney general, Mr.. Gar
| land, who charged $15. 600 for his services
in arguing the matter in the court OF
claims, and had been paid by the Score.
tary of the interior. Mr.. Teller argued
that Mr.. Peabody had rendered valuable
services. He said that Mr.. Peabody got
into the controversy with the Indian
bureau. and that the bureau refused tc
allow him anything under his contract.
lnssmuch as he was. part of the time.
employed in one of the departments.
The Secretary Of the Interior decided that
that was not good ground of refusal, and
he cut down the $40, 900 claim to $4,000
and paid that.
At the olcse of Mr.. Teller's remarks,
Mr.. Peffeg expressed desire to lay the
Indian appropriation bill aside and take
up the bond resolution.
Mr.. Allison, Republican of Iowa, ap-
peaIed to Mr.. PETER to defer the bond
resolution until the appropriation bills
were out Of the way. AS Mr. PETER ap.
peared inclined to assent to MP. Allison's
suggestion, a vigorous protest against
his doing SO was made by Mr.. Stewart,
Populist OF Nevada.
Mr.. Wolcott, Republican Of Colorado,
| demonstrated with Mr.. Stewart, inti'
| mating that the friends of the bond reso-
| luton would certainly gain by accepting
the suggestion of Mr.. Allison. The
resolution, he said, would thus secure
the added support of those now urging
the appropriation bills against the bond
resolution.
Mr.. Stewart yielded to this appeal,
well be known that when the tims
comes, there will BIZ fight to the finish
on this subject. We will stand by it day
after day to the end. 1t will be nc
child's play. The administration il
fighting t''
1t was agreed by unanimous consent
that the bond resolution be postponed
till the appropriation bills, now report
ed, were disposed Of
l
sented on the part of his colleague, Mr,
Morgan, absent on account of illness. 6
minority report ON the Pacific railroads
debt bill
Mr.. Woloott, Republican of Colorado
a member of the Pacific railroad com
mittee, said the bill reported by Mr.. Geal
Friday, was not the unanimous report
of the committee. He had not agreed
did not now agree, with the rest Of the
committee as to so much of the hill al
related to the settlement with she UnioI
Pacific, and reserved the right to file 6
minority report. The report was filed or
behalf of Mr.. Morgan and represented
that senator's views He (Mr. Woloott,
would also file a minority report.
Mr.. Br1oe, Democrat of Ohio, another
member Of the committee, said the chair.
man, Mr.. Gear, was revising the MAORI
| ty report, which had not been presented.
In view of that statement the two mi
nority reports were withheld.
| The consideration of the Indian appro
pr1ation bill WAS resumed, and the argu
ment as to the attorneys fees for the
western Cherokees was proceeded with.
! MIR, Chandler cOmmented sarNRatiCally