The National tribune., 1896-03-26

In the Senate, Mr.. Vest created sensation
by speech in which he attacked Secretary
Smith and the President Am animated con-
troversy arose over the resolution OF Mr. Cam
non Utah, r. directing Secretary Hoke Smith
10 execute the law for the public opening of
!. the Uncompahgre Indian Reservation, Utah.
kr. Cannon said 100000 acres were involved,
10 he wished this mandatory resolution to
overcome the delays Of the Secretary OF the
interior.
Mr.. Gordon (Ga., d. responded that, after
conference with Secretary Smith, he had learn
ed vast mineral wealth, particularly asphalt,
existed on these lands. The Secretary was de-
sirous of protecting the Government against
rapacions persons and corporations seeking to
control these valuable deposits.
Mr. Vest followed in criticism OF the Secre-
tary's course. There a time" said Mr.
Vest when a Cabinet officer who violated a
law would he brought before the bar of this
Senate" Mr. Vest then gave his personal knowl-
edge concerning this subject. This reser-
walton contained the greatest asphalt deposits
in existence, sufficient to supply this country
for centuries Heretofore il was a costly aud
rare article, taken mainly from a small island
A company was formed az St. Louis and large
investments made toward bringing these de-
posts to cities for roofing and paving purposes.
A law was passed directing the opening of the
lands but the Secretary of the Interior nullified
did not know what il was about. The Secre-
tary's course was in behalf OF rich investors,
who were the only ones who could bid on a
public auction OF the lands.
II am sorry to say IT," said Mr.. Vest, "bUt
there seems to be disposition the part of
the present Administration 10 treat the Western
people as if they were in 3 condition of pupil
age: that they did not know their own rights
and their own interests, aud they must be in
formed eg cGthedra from the East in regard TO
what is best for them and what should be done
for them. Even the President of the United
States lately, on a missionary occasion. spoke OF
the West as land Of immortality and crime.
He stood with the CHASTITY light Of the hel-holes
OF the rum-sellers OF New York blazing upon
him and csntipgly said Home Missions must be
used 10 ci-iize and Christianize the men who
have left their homes in the civilized East aud
gone out among the mountains and valleys of
that wild and woody West
But, Mr. President, il is a SANDER upon the
men who with rife in one band and an AK in
the other have gone OUT and blazed the path
way Of civilization in those Western Willis.
am Western man, and went to Missouri when
IL was a frontier in sight Of the Indian and
the buffalo. j have lived with those people
nearly so years and ] say TO our President now
that if be will leave of hunting ducks In North
Carolina and silver Democrats ia Kentucky
long enough to come out West we will show
him God-fearinR, seli-respeeiinR. law-abiding
people; we will snow him churches in which
there is real and unaffected piety"
IL was day for censuring public officers.
and IN the House Ambassador Bayard was
"roagted freely.
Mr.. Hit called up the Bayard resolutions,
which were read at the Clerks desk Mr. Hit
reviewed the speeches delivered by Mr.. Bayard.
The one at kdIuburg be characterized as a
political datIibe."
he then took up and analysed Mr. Bayards
letter 10 the Secretary Of State explaining the
circumstances under which his address al Bos-
ton delivered. Think Of it," said he
an Ambassador and an ex-Secretary Of State
defending himself behind the bold letter of in
Btructions TO diplomatic officers. Why, Mr..
Speaker, had a Republican Ambassador at his
post abroad rallied at the Democratic creed az
degrading, as cOrrupting TO the public life, is
there Republican among the millions who
would not have been wounded and have re-
scented il as an afront 10 lis country? There
lies the ofcnse. Mr.. Bayard's sincerity, the
truth or faisity Of the sentiment he uttered.
have nothing 10 do with the question"
Mr. McCreary said the resolutions were
unprecedented in Congressional history. The
proposed action Of the House was an Invasion
Of the rights aud authority OF the President OF
the United States, and if the speeches of Mr.
Bsyard. referred 10 in the resolutions required
action by the Executive. be was sure the latter
would do his duty at the proper time. He de-
tended Mr.. Bayard. Speeches for and against
thc resolutions were made by others.