The herald., 1898-02-11

Indian lands, particularly mineral lands.
by leasing from Indians. with the ap-
proval of the, secretary Of the interior.
He said, that when he came here In
1893 an application was pending before
the secretary of the interior for approval
OF lease of $4,000 acres of land in the
Uncompahgre reservation, containing
valuable deposits of gilsonite. The
lease had been obtained by an individual
| through the connivance of Indian
agents, and at once turned over to the
American Asphalt company. The agents
and attorneys Of this corporation. Mr..
Rawlins said, had come to Washington,
and representing that they controlled
senators and representatives and had
great influence in high political circles.
were trying to force the approval Of
their lease. Ultimately, he said, lease
covering about 500 acres was approved.
Now, he declared. those same persons
were endeavoring to defeat the commit
tee amendment to prevent the Indians
from leasing their lands. He believed
In opening the mineral lands by the gov
ernment, the leasing Of them to individ-
uals or companies and the application
Of the proceeds for the benefit Of the
Indians.
At the conclusion of the reading of the
bill 1t was thrown open to amendment.
Mr.. Kyle of South Dakota proposed an
amendment that all or any part of the
sum of s168,335 now in the treasury to
the credit of the Sioux Indians or the
Grow Creek Indian reservation in South
Dakota may be used for the purpose of
purchasing such cattle and agricultural
implements as will promote their well
fare. The amendment was agreed to-
Mr. Allen presented an amendment re-
storing the annuities of the Santee Sioux
Indians.
Mr.. Allison made a point of order
against the amendment. He said it
would involve the payment of at least
$S,000,000, and perhaps double that
amount.
Mr.. Allen said he did not want so i'm
portant an amendment as that
"Whistled down the wind" by point of
order. He said he did not want to be
picked up and snuffed out like can
dle," but desired an opportunity to dis
cuss 1t.
Mr.. Allison said he was convinced
that there was not the shadow of right
in the proposed amendment. He in
sisted on his point of order, but Mr.. Allen
withdrew the amendment
In the course of the discussion of an
amendment offered by Mr.. Thurston
against which a point of order was
made by Mr.. Allison, Mr.. Allen made a
sharp attack upon the speaker of the
house of representatives. He declared
that it was impossible to secure the
passage through the house of many mer-
itorious measures because one man
stood at the entrance of the caverns
into which proposed legislation was
dumped and would permit nothing to be
done about that of which he did not ap-
prove. He said: "In the other end of
the capitol this one man withstands 32S
members, and his bold, unwarranted.
action was disgrace to the
congress and the American people"
Mr.. Frye of Maine said the senator
(Allen) was himself out of order while
speaking to point of order. Mr.. Allen
said he had no desire to violate the rules
and did not think he had violated them,
as he had not referred to any man by
name, nor any particular end OF the
capitol. This was received with sar-
castle laughter by other senators, and
even Mr.. Allen smiled. Further along
in his remarks Mr.. Allen reverted to the
power exercised by the speaker of the
house, declaring that in view of the i'm
Of securing consideration of
meritorious action the truth ought to be
known to all the people in the country.
If the truth hurt or it broke any rules
he was not responsible.
IT want it understood" said Mr.. Allen, |
that I hold myself responsible at any
time and in any place for the statements
may make or have made on this SUBJ |
ject"
Mr.. Allison's point of order was sus-
tained by the vice president. Mr.. AL
len took an appeal to the senate from
the vice presidents ruling. Mr.. Hoar
moved to lay the appeal on the table.
Mr.. Allen made the point of no quorum,
and roll call disclosed the presence
Of but 80 senators-not quorum.
The senate, on motion of Mr.. Allison,
1T 5:15 p. m. adjourned.
IN COMMITTEE