I was appointed on the same day a member of the Committees
on Claims, Indian Affairs and Agriculture. I made a special
study in the vacation of 1877, expecting to master, as well
as I could, the whole Indian question, so that my service
on that Committee might be of some value. But I was removed
from the Committee on Indian Affairs, by the Committee who
made the appointments, in the following December. This was
very fortunate, for the country and for the Indians. Mr.
Dawes, my colleague, not long after was placed upon the Committee.
He was a most intelligent, faithful and stanch friend of the
Indians during the remainder of his lifetime. He was ready,
at the Department and on the floor of the Senate, and wherever
he could exert an influence to protect and baffle any attempt
to wrong them. His quiet and unpretending service to this
unfortunate and oppressed race entitles him to a very high
place in the affectionate remembrance of his countrymen.
The Committee on Agriculture was then of little importance.
I remained a member of it for a few years, and then gave it
up for some service in which my constituents were more immediately
interested.
Pages:
904
905
906
907
908
909
910
911
912
913
914
915
916
917
918
919
920
921
922
923
924
925
926
927
928