Year: 1879

INTERVIEW BETWEEN ECpErARY scHURz AND
coLoRApos REPRESENTATIVE = FAILURE OF
TIE COMMISSION DIscUssED-A LIVELY DE-
BATE IN CONGRESS THREATENED.


WAsHIsGToN, Dec. %, 1879.
Representative Beltord, of Colorado. had an inter-
estng interview with Secretary Schurz to-day the
Indian question and especially with to the
failure of the Utes to deliver up those
gagged in the Meeker massacre. which fail
ure has occasioned uneasiness at tho
Interior Department General Hatch had
telegraphed that he would bring FIVE chiefs from
the Southern Agency to Indian Creek. and wanted
to know, whether he should bring them to Washing
ton. This telegram led to the interview. Judge
Belford was in favor of bringing them on. in the
hope that they might agree to the removal of the
tribe to the Ulntah Reservation and the Secretary
was Of the same opinion.


TREATY.


The present relation of the Indians to the treaty
was then discussed twas conceded that the hostile
White River Utes had forfeited their treaty rights
and were to be dealt with as though no treaty had
ever been made with them. Judge Belford, how
ever took the advanced position that the tribe
should be treated as unit. He argued that they
fused as tribe to deliver up the Indians engaged in
the massacre. and that, although all were not orig
nally concerned in the Thornburgh aud the
massacre at the agency. they accessories after
the fact and guilty US tho original partici
pants


REMOVAL FAVORED


Tnc secretary In reply SAID he would make careful
study Of the treaty. that it possible the treaty
required the tribe to deliver up those making war;
ana that failure to do SO abrogated the treaty
Both agreed that these Utes should be removed to
the Uintah Reservation across the border line OF
Colorado in Utah Territory. and that IL they
not removed trouble would be likely to occur in the
spring. 1t is quite possible that il the Indians
fuse to agree to peaceful removal the government
will compel them to go.


During the interview portion of the official
spondence this subject read, and Judge Beford
thereupon remarked that thos Secretary had made q
great mistake in not publishing it at the time it
had. and said it would have relieved the Secretary
from considerable censure that he thought was un-
deserved.


CONGER CoMBATTvE


Representative Conger, of Michigan, stated to-day
that he intends to renew the argumentative conflict
also said that the papers In Colorado did sustain
Congressman Belrord's view or the subject; that
they were opposed to the removal Of tho Utes, and
that when the discussion is resumed he Will have
them on hand and read from them.


The indications that the debate will be bitter
and acrimonious.


THE VISIT TO WASHINGTON.


The proposition Of General Hatch to bring several
Of the friendly Ute chiefs to Washington will be
laid before the Cabinet meeting tomorrow. and Sec
retary Schurz will telegraph Instructions to him in
accordance with the decision that may be reached
the subject. These chiefs belong to the Los Pinos
and Southern reservations, and do not include any
of the White River Utes 1t is expected also that
Hatch's demand for the surrender Of all the White
River culprits. who, according to his ultimatum,
to be brought into Los Pnos by yesterday, the
23th inst.