The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-04-17
SENATE JUGGLES
SUNDRY CIVIL BILL
Indian Measure Up, But
Not Voted On.
MORGAN RESOLUTION LOST
Upper Branch Refuses to Call on Knox
for Report of Panama
Negotiations.
MORGAN RESOLUTION LOST

In the Senate yesterday the sundry
civil bin gave way 10 the first of a
series of six bills relating to agree
mcnts with Indians in the West and
Northwest. Debate was continued un-
III 4.15. when a caIl of the Senate found
no quorum present When a quorum
was secured the sundry civil bin was
pu, before the Senate and Immediately
adjournment was taken.
At the conclusion of morning bust
ness Mr. Morgan called up his resolU-
ton calling on the Attorney General to
report on the negotiations in progress
between the United States Government
and the New Panama Canal Company.
BY a vote OF IS to Il. the resolution was
defeated
Indian Bill Up.
Mr.. Allison then called NJ the sundry
civil bill but in Difference to an ar
raqgemeat with NIr. HansbrOugh. yield
al 10 the latter TO call up his bill for
opening the lands OF the Devils Lake
Indians Of North Dakota to public sale
and occupancy.
The Iowa Senator expressed his in
tention OF calling for the regular order.
In case Mr. Hansbroughs bill brought
on a prolonged debate To this Mr..
Dubois said he would have 10 Oh
jecJ. unless ample time would be given
for debate on the bin. He announced
his desire to defeat this Indian bin and
five others as we'll II possible. and said
he Intended 10 show this legislation
would be overturning all precedents in
Indian relations.
His amendment fixing $3.50 an acre as
the maximum price at which the Indian
lands shall be sold was read. and Mr..
Dubois reviewed the conditions under
which agreements with the Indians had
been made. If the Government now
sold the lands at S4.5o an acre. as intend
ed by the pending bill, he thought there
would be suits against the Government
by former owners of the land 70 recover
part Of the higher price per acre AT
which the lands We're sold.
When Mr. Dubois had concluded. Mr..
Teller of Colorado took up the subject
and spoke nearly an hour.
Free Homes for Free Men.
Free homes for free men" was the
keynote Of Mr.. Teller's remarks He
referred TO the enormous expenditures
authorized by Congress at this session
for the Panama Canal. the army and
navy. and other great appropriations
The Government is able 10 do this and
even more. he said. and should not
draw the line on the free homes plan.
No matter what the House might do
on this subject the Senate ought 10 20
on record, he urged. and fix its beneh-
cent policy beyond the possibility OF
continual change. He said prospective
land owners and home builders OF the
West were being forced across the bon
der into Canada By the operation OF the
land laws here
Mr. Plat Of Connecticut followed Mr.
Teller and went into the history Of land
laws to show that the Government :
pOhcy had not always been along :
fixed line. He said If he thought Mr.
Dubois prediction would come true
that former land owners would sue the
Government because their lands haC
been resold at a higher price-he would
vote against all these bills But he had
10 such fear. he said.
No Vote Reached.
When vote was called for on Mr.. Du-
bois amendment. no quorum voted. Fin
ally when a quorum was secured. Mr.
Allison moved 10 take up the sundry
civil bin. and this was agreed 10. with
OUT any vote on the Indian bill haVing
been reached. it was suggested to the
Iowa Senator by one Of his colleagues
that as IL was then past 1 O'Clock. lit.
Tie progress could be MADE on the ap-
preparation bin and adjournment wa.
taken