Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-04-07
Discussion of the Measure Resumed
by the Senate,
QUESTION OF CONTRACT SCHOOLS
Representative Richardson Offers
a Boer Resolution.
EULOGIES OF MIR. BLAND

Soon after the Senate convened today
Mr.. Jones tArk) offered the following reso-
luton. which was adopted;
That the Secretary of the Treasury be
directed to transmit to the Senate a state
msnt OF the action of the Treasury Depart
ment in the case of Jorge Cruz. resident
Of Porto Rico. alleged to have been brought
to New York under contract to labor in the
United States, together with all copies of
al correspondence IN the case: and that he
he further directed to inform the Senate
what steps, if any, have been taken to
prosecute. for violating the alien contract
labor law. the person. firm or corporation
entering into contract with said Cruz
a resolution offered by MIR. Allen, direct
ing the Secretary of the Interior to furnish
information concerning the lands of the
Santee Sioux Indians. was agreed to.
The Quay Case.
Mr. Chandler asked that the resolution
respecting the seating of Mr.. Quay be laid
before the Senate. No senator was pre-
pared to proceed with the discussion of the
case and Mr.. Chandler consented that it
should go over until Monday. He gave no.
tice. however, that he should expect sena-
tors who desired to speak on the subject to
be prepared and that he probably would
Monday ask that time be fixed for vote
The following bills were passed: To legal
ize and maintain the iron bridge across
Pearl river at Rockport Miss: directing the
Secretary of the Interior to Issue patents
for land in certain cases; appropriating
s15oo1o for public building at Colorado
Springs. Col; authorizing the Shreveport
and Red River Valley railroad to construct
bridge across the Red river at Alexandria,
La.
The Indian Bill.
Consideration of the Indian appropriation
bill was resumed. the pending question be-
ing the amendment of Mr.. Jones (Ark.)
providing a commission for each town in
the Choctaw. Chickasaw. Creek and Chero-
kee nations to survey and appraise town
lots After some discussion. at the request
of Mr. Plat Comm. the amendment was
withdrawn, 1t being agreed the subject
should be discussed in conference.
Sectarian Schools.
A discussion of government support for
sectarian schools was precipitated by the
following amendment offered by Mr.. Jones
tArk.): That the Secretary of the Interior
may make contracts with present contract
schools for the education of Indian pupils
during the fiscal year ending June 80. 1901.
hut shall only make such contracts al
places where the government has not pro-
Nlfr' -ttlooI ldtl4ltieS lcT all the ShiidFefl OF
school age residing thereat, and TO ex-
tent not exceeding the number of children
in attendance at said contract schools at
thu close Of the fiscal year ending June 80.
1.rst.''
Mr.. Thurston. in charge of the bill, op-
posed the amendment. taking the position
that the government should pursue a policy
If providing its own schools He depre-
Gated any reopening of the question which
six years ago had been a subject of dis
Iurbance and serious discussion through
nut the country. The matter, he thought.
rad been settled at that time by the adOp-
tt"n of a policy Of reducing the appropria-
tons for contract schools ~ per cent each
year until the contract schools should have
been abandoned entirely.
He concluded by saving that the Secre-
Jary Of the Interior had advised the conf
mitjee that all Indian pupils could he pro-
Eli"i Tor IN the government schools. He
deemed it the true policy of the govern
m"nt I" carry its Indian schools with
out refererCe to any religious sect. He re-
sarde1- to-, any agitation of the subject as
unwiSe-
Mr. Jones made q strong appeal for the
adoption Df his amendment. He said it was
not a revival Of the contract system, but
was a proposition simply to permit the Sec
rotary OF the Interior to enter into contract
Tor the accommodation of the Indian pupils
who cannot be accommodated in the gov
eminent schools. He declared that if sue
an embodiment as he had offered was not
adopted 2..DD Indian pupils would be with
out school facilities after the present fiscal
Year. As il was well known the government
schools w"r~ entirely Inadequate
lie maintained that the United States was
morally nlund to educate the Indian chill
dr-n. yet It had failed to provide adeaua:s
school facilities