Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1902-01-27
thinks STATE GIN AC|
Commissioners Of Indian Affairs
Talks OF Situation at Tama
Reservation.
Is Giving the Smallpox Matter
All the Attention in His
Power.
N
Congressman Cousins Exerting
Himself to Secure an APP
preparation OF $50. 1000.
Special to Times Republican.

Special to Times Republican.
Washington, d. c., jan 27.-The COM
missioner of Indian affairs asserts that
the allegations that he is deaf to the
appeals of the authorities In Iowa In re-
lation to the deplorable situation in the
camps Of the Indians on the Tama res
eryation are without foundation.
Mr.. Jones makes the emphatic state
every communication addressed to him.
emanating from official or other source,
save perhaps from two or three physl-
clans who seem to be acting without
authority. Moreover, the commissioner
has been exerting himself to the limit
of his powers, under the law, to relieve
the situation in the afflicted camps.
In the opinion of Mr.. Jones the state
of Iowa has power to act in such an
emergency as is said to exist. If the
state has not, then it is a question II
any one has authority. The commits
sioner has no marshals; there are no
marshals in the service. Mr.. Jones as
serts that the state authorities unques-
tionably have jurisdiction over portions
of the state adjacent to the reservation,
and may promulgate and enforce laws
of n restrictive nature that will be effec-
tive to the limits of the reservation. If
this shall be done, Mr.. Jones says he
does not see what more shall be re-
auired, SO long as the situation remains
peaceful.
With quarantine regulations covering
the territory adjacent to the reservation
on all sides. ingress on the parts of the
whites not authorized, or egress on the
part of Indians would be guarded
against.
Commissioner Jones says 1t has come
to his knowledge that certain whites
have taken 1t upon themselves, for rea-
sons unknown, to foment trouble and
Misunderstanding between the Indians
and those acting in authority. The re-
ault has Been that the Indians are fool
isily objecting TO the efforts of the In
dian agent and his co-lahorers In their
efforts to relieve the distress occasioned
by the prevalence Of the smallpox Mr..
Jones says that the Indians In some In
stances decline 10 voluntarily part with
infected blankets. bedding and other
articles, notwithstanding that the Indi-
ans are assured that new supplies Will
be given them In place of those de-
stroyed or to be destroyed, without eX-
pense to them.
Within few days Mr.. Jones expects
to have ample funds at his disposal for
emergency purposes, and then from &c.
600 to 81, 900 will be put in the hands OF
the Indian agent at Toledo and the sit
uation. so far as funds are concerned,
will be relieved. Mr.. Jones reiterates
his assertion that the claim that he has
neglected the Tama Indians in any de-
tail is not well founded. He makes the
point. however, that matters bearing
upon the reservation will receive
promptest attention if forwarded him
thru the authorized representative OF
the department at Toledo.
This unfortunate condition Of affairs
existing among the Indians on the Tama
reservation has had the prompt and
constant attention of Congressman
Cousins, who has visited the interior de-
partment in person almost daily and
consulted with the commissioner rela-
tive to what might be done in such an
emergency. Thru the efforts of Mr..
Cousins the appropriations committee
of the house permitted the inclusion of
an item of $4,000 covering this case and
others Of similar character that may
arise Unexpectedly in the future in the
urgent deficiency BILL This is the first
appropriation bill ever offered in con-
gress and is the speediest possible way
of securing an appropriation from con-
gress. 1t is specifically for the purpose
of taking up Just such items as the one
fathcred by Mr.. Cousins, where the ur-
gency of the demand will not permit
waiting on the regular appropriation
bills. whiuch will likely not pass for
several months. This item is specifical-
ly for the purpose of making available
funds with which the Indian agent may
liquidate pressing obligations incurred
in the handling of this unexpected prob
lem.
Senator Allison's attention has been
called to the matter, and he has prom
ised to see that the urgent deficiency
bill passes the senate at the earliest
moment The bill was debated nearly a
week in the house, where it was expect
ed to pass in few hours However. the
minority in the house discovered a more
urgent need to exploit politics and lum-
ber up the Congressional Record with
campaign material, as they imagine it
to be, than of voting for a bill appro-
priating money badly needed in many
quarters. so the bill did not pass the
house until the last of last week. 1t is
net likely, however. that the bill will
occupy great deal of time in the sem
ate as that body has the Philippines
tariff bill under discussion, and this
will afford ample opportunity for politi-
cal thunder. making. The house bill will
go to the senate appropriations COM
mittee, of which Senator Allison is
chairman, and there will be loaded down
with amendments in the form of addi-
tional items, and may pass the senate
practically without debate. Then the
amended bill returns to the house,
where the amendments may be concur
red in and the bill finally passed, or a
conference may be appointed to harmo-
nize such differences as may exist be-
tween the house and senate regarding
the items proposed.
Thru the efforts of Congressman
Cousins the indian commissioner In