The morning times., 1896-04-22
INDIAN SCHOOLS AGAIN
Senate Debates the Question of
Sectarlan Appropriations.
DISCUSSION WAS PERSONAL
Mr.. Cockreil's Amendment Declaring
Policy of No Aid for Such Institu-
tions Precipit ated the Matter
Warm Speeches for and Against
tue Proposition.

The Indian appropriation bill occupied
the attention of the Senate during the
greater part OF yesterdays session.
The discussion as to appropriations TO pay
for legal services rendered TO the '.old
settlers, or Western Cberokees, resulted
in the rejection (yeas 15, nays 36) of an
amendment offered by Mr.. Chandler allow
ing the claimants to bring suit In the court
OF claims, and in the subsequent adoption OF
the committee amendment for payment
Of specific amounts 10 about fifteen claini-
ants.
After that matter was out OF the way
the question or sectarian Indian schools
came up and gave rise toa rather interesting
discussion, Which was not concluded when
the Senate, at $50, adjourned until today.
The question was on an amendment
offered Dy Mr.. Cockreil, which declares ii To
be the settled policy OF the government to
make no appropriation whatever for the
education OF Indian children in sectarian
schools as soon as provision can be made
for them other wise and requiring such
provision to be made before 1898.
CoCKRELL's POINTED REMARKS.
Mr.. Pettigrew expressed his willingness
to accept Mt. Cockreirs amendment,
quoted letter from the Commissioner of
Inaian Affairs stating that 1t would require
a period OF two years and an expenditure
or S1 200 900 TO supply schools anu teachers
for children now attending sectarian schools
and lntlmated that some Senators were
afraid TO do what was right lest they might
offend some secret organization.
Mr.. Ganlnger, spoke IN favor OF the House
propositions in denunciation of what he
called the "open and palpable opposition to
the common school system of the United
States" He repudiated the insinnation of
a. t.xfa. and n Al
apply to him. But he believed that, In this
matter, the people had come to the parting
of the ways.
II had been a reproach and shame tina the
government OF the United States had been
violating not only the spirit but the letter
OF the constitution in the matter OF ap-
preparations TO sectarian institutions.
AN AMERICAN DOCTRINE.
In the spirit OF patriotism and justice he
advocated the proposition of the House
of Representatives, declaring it to be the
intent of the actthat no money appropriated
iii ii should be paidfor Observation-Disclosures
schools. That was the American doctrine.
That was The doctrine which the people were
going TO stand upon. Churchand Stateshould
be absolutely and entirely divorced
Mr. George also favored the House proposi-
tion and opposed Mr.. Cockrell's amendment.
He asserted that the Baptist Church had
opposed iallappropriationsf from the Treasury
ana uad uniformly, from thevery beginning,
refused todefile its hands witha ny such fund.
Nit. Kyle advocated the Cockreli amend
ment. He spoke with approval of the
missionary work done by the Catholic
Church among the Indians. and suggested
that a couple of years should be allowed
to permit that church to maintain its
schools among the Indians at its own
expense.
Mr.. THURSToNS SPEECH.
Mr.. Thurston professed his profound re-
spect for every religion, but asserted that
we are all determined from this time on
that the fundamental policy OF the govern
ment hall be recogni zed-that Church
and State shall be and remain divorced
Mr. Gray expressed bis surprise at hear
ing the solemn warning and Invocation OF
the Senator from Nebraska. Ito fright US
from our propriety'' in dealing simple
justice TO class of self devoted Chris
tian American citizens. He sent to the
clerks desk and had read extracts from
a recent address OF Archbishop Ireland.
declaring that there is no room in the
| United states for a conflict between Church
| and State; and he said that those ideas
| would do credit to the ministers Of any
| denomination. Mt. Gray thanked God that
| there was room in this country for all
| denominations-certain for all Christian
| denominations.