Speech #520109654

I do not disagree with the Senator from Missouri as to the policy of appointing a commission with the view of inducing the Indians. composing what is commonly known as the five civilized tribes. to accept homesteads in severalty as proposed by his joint resolution. On the contrary. during the last session of Congress I introduced a bill. which is now pending before the Committee on Indian Affairs. embodying precisely the same idea as that contained in the joint resolution of the Senator from Missouri. but my bill is much fuller in detail. specifying precisely how the commissioners shall be appointed. the objects and purposes desired to be attained. and specifying their duties in treating with those Indians. I agree with the Senator that the quickest and most direct route to the solution of the Indian question is to induce those Indians to accept their lands and homesteads in severalty and to dispose of the remainder of the lands for their value. the Indians of course to receive the proceeds. and opening the lands to immigrants from other States and other countries. If the Indians can be induced to do that. and that can be accomplished. the day is not distant when those people can be admitted as a State of this Union. and then they can take entire charge of their local and their domestic affairs and control them. In that way they will best promote the happiness and security of their people.