Evening star., 1904-03-22
THE EVENING STAR TQIaiA7, MARCH Y 1904 20 FACES

period In question. and added that If the
government should enter upon the policy In
dicated by the resolution many hundreds
of millions Of dollars would be necessary to
meet the demand.
Mr.. Quay responded by saying that the
resolution was merely a request for In
formation. but Mr.. Hale contended that ir
was an opening wedge and that he would
resist its passage. 1T Is absolutely ap-
paliing" he said when one considers the
amount of money involved in such reso-
luton as this
A bill providing for the enlargement of
the public building at Tyler, Texas. was
passed, as also was bill extending to
January /, 1905 the time for the completion
of the Omaha Bridge Company's bridge
across the Missouri river at Omaha, Neb
When Mr.. Carmacks resolution directing
the committee on the judiciary to inquire
into the legality of the recent old age pen
sion order of the Secretary of the Interior
was reached. Mr.. Carmack asked that 1T
go over subject to his call. He explained
that In naming the judiciary committee he
meant no discourtesy to the committee on
pensions.
Mr.. McCumber, chairman of the commit
tee on pensions. gave notice that when the
resolution is taken up he will move to sub
stitute the name of the committee on PEN
sions for that of the committee on the tu-
dietary
Mr. Hoar, chairman of the judiciary COM
mittee expressed the opinion that the in
vestigation could be made by the pension
committee.
Indian Bill Taken Up.
The Senate then took up the Indian ap-
preparation bill and proceeded to read the
amendments suggested by the committee on
Indian affairs
The first discussion in connection with the
bill arose over the House provision permit
ting superintendents of Indian schools to
act as Indian agents
Mr.. Spooner called attention to the fact
that school superintendents are appointed
as the result of civil service examinations,
whereas Indian agents are appointed by
the President and confirmed by the Sen
ate. He said that to adopt the provision
would be for the Senate to surrender it's
function in the selection of agents. The
provision was defended by Mr.. Stewart,
Mr. Dubois and Mr.. Platt Comm, as cal
culated to promote economy and relieve
confusion in the conduct of business at the
agencies.
out the word hereafter" which has the
effect Of conf1ning the operation of the
clause to the next fiscal year.
Examination of Farmers.
Mr.. Lodge made point of order against
the committee amendment relieving the In
dian agency farmers from the requirement
of taking civil service examination. Mr..
Stewart, Mr.. McCumber, Mr.. Teller and
Mr.. Platt (Conn.), contended that the pro-
vision is necessary in order to procure ef-
ficent service, and saying that collegiate
education is not necessary to efficiency in
teaching agriculture to the Indians.
Mr.. German criticised the provision as
showing a tendency to get away from the
requirements of the civil service law. He
referred to reported utterances by Admiral
Walker in favor of the suspension of the
law in it's application to the isthmian canal
commission. He thought that the matter
should be left to the President and that
II the law is to be applied 1t should be ap-
piled impartially
Mr.. Spooner supported the amendment,
saying that to require farmers and stock
men for the Indians to pass civil service
examination is absolute nonsense. Such
a requirement was, he said, away beyond
what had been the intention of the original
civil service reformers
Mr.. German explained that he agreed
largely with Mr.. SDooner's view. but that
his point was that Congress should not
act by piecemeal in modifying the civil serv-
ice law. He believed the President would
be forced to change the rule in many par
ticulars and felt that it should be done in
that way.
At Mr.. Lodges request the amendment.
together with that of a similar nautre re-
lating to the employment of matrons at
Indian agencies, was passed over.