The Wichita daily eagle., 1897-12-10


wise, 1t May Choose to Take This
Question is the Knottiest One of Those
That Compiicate the Indian Appropri-
ations BiII-House Program Is Pretty
We'll Made Out-Committee Work.
Washington, Dec. 9.-The preparation
Of the Indian appropriation bill will be-
gin Immediately in the house committee
On Indian affairs and probably the bill
viii be reported 10 the house early IN
January. There are many important
matters before it but everything now
will give way to the appropriation Dill.
The most important subjects are the vex-
stious problems in Indian Territory, IN
xo1vtnp +e1e reorganization of the terri
tory in matters relating to the Indians
The Dawes Indian commission IS no"
negotiating with the five tribes but the
outlook is not very encouraging anu
some Important legislation along pne
lines OF the negotiations has been plan
ned. The commission will be summoned
mere shortly by the secretary of the in
ferl0T.
fha committee will be deferred pending
the appearance OF the commission pe-
fore it to explain the situation there ana
u make recommendations. SO far, only
two tribes have ratified the commission
agreements. These are the Ch0ctaWe
and Csaickasaws and the agreements
made with the Cherokees and Creeks
have been rejected. The Seminotes also
nave not taken any favorable action and
In view of the general disappointing out
look arbitrary legislation is expected to
De enacted to accomplish wnat over
lures on the part of the government
have failed to do.
INDIAN COMMITTEE BEGINS
The house committee on Indian AFFAIRS
began its investigation Of the prooienls
in the Indian Territory today. 1T was
long session and the result was a can
for the Dawes commission and all ots1-
ers interested to appear before it next
Thursday. Before the discussion over
the troubles began two sub-committees
1vere appointed. Messrs. Sherman or
New York, Curtis of Kansas, f1scner OF
New York. Little Of Arkansas and Lewis
# Georgia were named as the suD-com-
mittee on the Indian appropriation Dill
and Messrs. Curtis, Fischer, Lytle,
Stacy Qowa) and Benton Of Missouri on
indian Territory matters. The session
was devoted 10 the consideration or the
senate resolution extending from jan
nary to June so next the date OF oper-
alton of the act extending the juIisdlc-
ton of United States court over most OF
ti4e crimes committed anywhere in the
Indian Territory. No action was taken
it being advisable TO await further IN
formation from the Dawes commission
and others in the Indian Territory.
THE HOUSE PROGRAM.
Although no formal action has been
taken a pretty general understanding
mas been reached by the leaders in the
house of representative as to the course
Of legislation in the near future. This
contemplate. the disposal OF appropria-
ton bills as fast as they are ready for
consideration. After these the bank
ruptcy Cbill win be reported by Chairman
Henderson Of the judiciary committee
before the holiday recess, but it will not
be taken up by the house until after the
recess. 1t is understood that Speaker
Reed and the committee on rules will be
disposed to give this bill every advant-
age in the way Of securing early time
for debate.
II is equally well understood that for
the present there viii be no effort TO take
up financial legislation on the floor OF
the house. This IS due mainly to the
fact that a strong impression prevails
among members of the house that the
committee on banking and currency will
not be able 10 reconcile the many con-
flicting interests inside the committee.
These represent al shades of financial
beliefs and are go much at variance that
il IS not expected that majority can be
rallied for any one proposition. Under
slch circumstances the purpose is TO
await the action, or the deadlock in
that committee. The ways and means
committee win do nothing at present in
tie way Of framing financial legislation.
II, however. it becomes evident that the
committee on banking and currency is
at standstih. then the ways and means
committee will enter the field OF financial
legislation and will frame a bin On
broad lines calculated to meet the pres
ent financial requirements. II the mean
time the subject viii be kept in the
background as much as possible.
Aside from the bankruptcy and ap-
preparation bills some emergency meas.
ures such as that relating TO Bering sea.
introudcei by Mr.. Hit, win have
hearing, as they involve questions of
general policy and are not likely 10 meet
with opposition. With these exceptions
the disposition Of the house leaders viii
oe 10 keep radical legislation to the rear.
HAWAII AND THE SEALS.
Washington. Dec. 9.-The committee
on foreign affairs Of the house OF repre-
sentatives held its first meeting today
and outlined its work on the several i'm
portant foreign questions now pending.
Chairman Hit announced the following
subcommittee 10 deal with Cuban af-
fairs: Adams Of PENNSYLVANIA. Heat
woe Of Minnesots and Berry OF Ken
tucky.
The subcommittee 10 consider Ha-
waiian affairs is: Hit ef Illinois. Cous-
ms Of Iowa and Newlsnis - Nevada.
The committee determined to report
a. once the bill prohibiting American
citizens from conducting pelsgic sealing
in Bering sea and an understsn ding
was reached that the bill would be push
ed 10 final passage before the holidays.
II was also determined that the men,
oeys q the committee would cali IN a
boldly on the secretary % state tomor-
row at II O'Clock.