The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-03-23
INDIAN BILL IS UP
MEASURE DISCUSSED IN THE
 SENATE.
Exemption of Candidates for Posi- ton as Agency Farmers from Civil Service Examinations
 Cause Some Debate.

Washington, March 22-The Senate srtnt the greater part of the day on the IhdIan appropriation bill. Mir. Lodge took exception to the provision exempt. ing candidates for the position of ln- dan agency farmers from civil service examination and on his suggestion the amendment was passed over without &C., ton. Otne. features arousng discussion were those relating to the designation of Indian school superintendents as In- dian agents and authorizing the payment of the claim made by Indian tribes on account of the difference between the value of payments made them in green books and coin payments as required by treaties.
 A bill providing for the enlargement os the public building at Tyler, Texas, was passed
 When Mir. Carmack's resolution direct- irg the Committee on Judiciary to in- acire into the legality of the recent old age pension order of the Secretary of tho Interior was reached, Mir. Carmack asked that it go over subject to his call. He explained that in naming the Judi c.ary Committee he meant no discourtesy to the Committee on Pensions.
 Mir. McCumber. Chairman of the Com mittee on Pensions, gave notice that when the resolution Is taken up he will move to substitute the name of the Com mittee on Pensions for that of the Com- mlttee on Judiciary.
 The Senate then took up the Indian appropriation bill and proceeded to read the amendments suggested by the Coni- mittee on Indian Affairs. The first dis. cuEsion in connection with the bill arose over the House provision permitting the Superintendents of Indian Schools to act as Indian agents. MT. Spooner called att
 tention to the fact that school super
 intendents are appointed as the result
 of civil service examinations whereas In- diah agents are appointed by the Pres
 i6ent and confirmed by the Senate. He said that to adopt the provision would
 be for the Senate to surrender its func- ton in the selection of agents. The provision was defended by Mir.
 Stewart, Mir. Dubois and MT. Platt (Conn) as calculated to promote econ-
 omy and relieve confusion in the con- duct of business at the agencies. The provision was amended by striking out the word hereafter" which has the effect of confning the operation of the clause to the next fiscal year.
 MT. Lodge made a point of order against the committee amendment relieving the Indian Agency farmers from civil ser- vice examination.
 Mir. Stewart. MT. McCumber. Mir. Tel- Ter and MT. Piatt (Conn.) contended that the provision is necessary in order to pro- cure efficient service, and said that a collegiate education is not necessary to efficiency in teaching agriculture to the
 Indians.
 MT. German criticized 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 suspen- sion 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 if the law is to be ap-
 piled 1t should be applied impartially. Mir. Spooner supported the amendment
 saying that to require farmers and stock men for the Indians to pass civil service
 examination Is absolute nonsense" and away beyond the intention of the origi- nal civil service reformers
 At Mir. Lodges request, the amendment together with that of a similar nature relating to the employment of matroni at Indian agencies, was passed over. The committee amendments authorizing tho commissioner of Indian affairs to exer-
 else supervision of the renting of home
 steads and surplus lands by the Creek, CnOCLaWs CnlChdsd anu OucIOkSe 4Nuldns in Indian Territory, requiring the record ing of all leases of land by allotees of the five civilized tribes, and authorizing
 the Secretary of the Interior to dispos- sess lessees claiming under leases obtain ed through fraud were stricken from the
 bill on points of order.
 There was discussion of Senate amend ments providing for the payment of $10O-
 900 to the Chippewa Indians on account of the differences between the value of coin currency paid to them between 1S45 and 1878. but the provision was allowed to
 stand because 1t was in accordance with the treaty between the United States and the Indians. The treaty required payment in coin, whereas the payment
 was made in greenbacks worth about 60 cents on the dollar. Without completing the reading of the bill the Senate at 5 D. m.. went into executive session, and at 5;15 p. m., adjourned.