Birmingham state herald., 1897-04-16
THE INDIAN PROBLEM
Senators Yesterday--A Reserva- ton to Be Opened.

Washington, April 15.-lThe sena te spent the day on the Indian appropriation bill, but did not complete it. Some time was also consumed in executive session on the arbitration treaty. At the close of chas days proceedings the senate adjourned until Monday. The committee amend ment to the Indian appropriation bill opening the Uneomphagre Indian res erv&.ion in Utah to public entry, was agreed to. The reservation is said to con tain some of the richest deposits of as- phalt in existence.
 Gdr. Gallagher, republican, of New Hampshire, moved to strike out the pro- vision giving tribal relations to the chill dren of whke father and Indian mother Hesdsclared the provisions would permit white adventures to marry Indian. women as matter of speculation and ul- timately to dominate the Indian.
 MT. Berry democrat, of Arkansas, de- tended the provision on the ground shat it removed the penalty now placed on an Indian woman for marrying a white man
 The motion to strike out did not pre- vail
 Mir. Quay called attention to what he termed a deliberate attempt" to rob the Indians. It dealt with the granting of certain oil rights on the Seneca Indian reservation to parties in New York Pa pefs submitted by MT. Quay alleged se- rious irregularities in securing the oil rights
 MT. Peitigrew answered that the con test was ore between rival companies. In this connection he stated, that the Indian reservations fin New York ought to be wiped cut and the Indians made subject to the laws of New York. +
 Mr. Quay's amendments striking o,1t the ratification of the oil grants, was ac- cepted.
 On: motion of MT. Galllnger the proyis- ion as to children of a white father and Indian mOfhar 60 .e thess children tribal rights on the con sent of the majority of the tribe and the consent of the secretary of the in- terior.
 MT. Vest, of Missouri, spoke in criti- cism of the provision of the bill abolish ing sectarian Indian schools. He knew he said, that what he said would subject him to bitter criticisms. He was brought up Protestant and had no connection with the Roman Catholic church. but he had no sympathy with that cowardly and ignominious sentiment that any re- 1igious denomination could menace our liberties. He had been reared to think that the J=suits were opposed to republi- caE institutions, but he had been through the Indian country, visiting the schools ana had round them a travesty on edu- cation except when conducted by the Jesuits. Broken down preachers and de- funct politicians were sent out to the western country to teach the Indian cnilursn ne nau Iound, he said that the only Indian schools accomplishing any good were thos+ conducted by the Jesuits. The ceremonial of the Catholic church seemed to appeal to the Indians
 ''1f had control of these schools" pro- ceed7d MT. Vest, "I would give them to those who have studied the Indians, those who have taken the young Indians from the tepee, segregated them from their fathers and mothers and taught ther, the religion of Christ even if He Is not the embl:m of their religion. would in- finitely rather see them Catholics than savagss. do not belong to the sect who would rather see an Indian damned than to see him in the Catholic church."
 MT. Vest said he would make no effort to oppose the provision of the bill. but would content himself with his. prate~t
 EXECUTIVE SFiSSffn
 In accordance with his prs-r nor fcar.D xrix. -