The herald., 1898-06-08
THE WORK IN CONGRESS
COVERS MATTERS OF MINOR
IMPORTANCE
CONFEREES ON WAR REVENUE
Expect to Be Able to Report the Bill
to the House This
Morning


WASHINGTON, June ALMOST imme-
diately after the senate convened today
consideration was resumed of the bill for
the protection of the people of the Indian
territory. After the reading and discus
sion of the measure, which occupied nearly
three hours, it was passed. 1t provides for
the allotment in severaty of certain lands
to the Indians of the territory, the payment
Of interest claims to the Chickasaw Indians
and the ratification of the agreement eff
fected with the Indians by the Dawes COM
mission. The discussion of the census bill
precipitated a civil service debate, which
had not been concluded when the senate ad-
journed.
After the transaction of routine morning
business the bill for the protection of the
Indian territory was laid before the SEN
ate.
Mr.. Bate, Democrat, of Tennessee thought
the bill ought to go over, as it was clearly
q violation of all the moral and legal obli-
cations of the government to the Indians
of the Territory and the white citizens who
had gone there to live. The bill, he said.
took away from the Indians their courts
and violated every treaty that had ever
been made with them by the government.
!
reorganization of the Engineer Corps of
the army. 1t provides that the corps shall
consist of one chief, with the rank of Brig
adier-General seven Colonies, fourteen
Lieutenant Colonies. twenty-eght Majors
and thrty-five Captains. 1t provides for
promotion by seniority.
Senator Hawley introduced a bill for the
punishment of persons who may willfuly
| s.,.,, -.....
torpedo or harbor defense system owned by
the United States. The offense is made
a misdcmeanor. punishable by fine or i'm
prisonment. Mr.. Hawley also introduced
bill for the punishment of persons for
photographing Notifications. This offense
is made felony punishable by imprison-
ment for ten years or by fine of s25 900, or
both.
After several amendments were adopted,
including one ratifying the agreement made
by the Dawes Commission with the five
civilized tribes, and another providing fer
the payments of s54S,00O in interest to the
Chickasaws, the Indian bill was passed and
the twelfth census bill taken up.
| Consideration was resumed of the meas
ure providing for the taking of the twelfth
census.
Mr.. carter OF Montana, Republican, In
charge of the bill, proposed an amendment
providing that, in addition to the director
and assistant director of census and of five
expert statisticiaas, not more than twenty
five persons shat. be appointed to the cen
sus establishment before Jan. 1. 1899.
Mr.. Cockrell If Missouri, Democrat, ac-
lcepted this amendment in lieu of those Of
fered by him yesterday and it was agreed
to.
Mr.. Cockrell offered an amendment strik-
ing out the provision that the census force
should be subjected to such examination as
the director with the approval of the sec
rotary of he interior, may prescribe. In
lieu thereof, he proposed that the employees
should lie examined and certified by the
civil service commission.
Without passing upon the amendment the
senate. at sos, on motion of Mr.. German of
Maryland, Democrat, adjourned