Mr. Lowe favored the bill, and thought that the buffalo ought to be protected for proper utility.
Mr. Cobb thought they ought to be protected for the settlers, who depended partly on them for food.
Mr. Parker, of Missouri, intimated that the policy of the Secretary of the Interior was a sound one, and that the buffaloes ought to be exterminated, to prevent difficulties in civilizing the Indians.
Said Mr. Conger, “I do not think the measure will tend at all to protect the buffalo.”
Mr. McCormick replied: “This bill will not prevent the killing of buffaloes for any useful purpose, but only their wanton destruction.”
Mr. Kasson said: “I wish to say one word in support of this bill, because I have had some experience as to the manner in which these buffaloes are treated by hunters. The buffalo is a creature of vast utility, * * *. This animal ought to be protected; * * *.”
The question being taken on the passage of the bill, there were—ayes 132, noes not counted.
So the bill was passed.
On June 23, 1874, this bill (H. R. 921) came up in the Senate.[74]
Mr. Harvey moved, as an amendment, to strike out the words “who is not an Indian.”