The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-07-27


Senator Vest Tells How His Expectations
Were Disappointed by MIR. Atkins.
WASHINGTON. July 26 6-Senator Vest made
statement before the Platt special committee Of
the Senate, this morning. with regard to his con-
nection with Indian leadership matters. Hs
said he did not personally know either Of the
traders at Anadarko cleveland and Reynolds),
when he first interested himself in the subject.
but that his action was taken in consequence of
representations made to him by friends-meu Of
standing and repute inst. Louis-that the new
men whom Mr.. Atkins was appointing knew moth
ing of the business. and that the effect of ap-
pointing Tennesseans and Mssssippans ex-
clusively would be to divert the trade from ST.
Louis, where it had long centered, to Memphis.
He wrote to Commissioner Atkins and afterward
called on him. making known the fact that S. II.
jackson, whom the Commissioner had licensed,
was making proposals for partnership with the
/ old traders, which. though not expressed in so
many words, Indicated a purpose to trade off his
license for share in the profits Mr.. Atbines
was indignant, and promised to write Jackson
that he must establish himself in trade at once
or his license would be revoked. In regard to
the relcensing of Cleveland or Reynolds,
Atkins said he did not wish TO do
either stating reason, with regard to Cleve-
land, that he was said to have an interest In a
herd of cattle on the reservation. Mr.. Atkins
said he did not want to revoke Jacksons license
abruptly, or act hardly in the matter on account
of the condition of things in Tennessee. If he
were to revoke Jacksons license at once, it
would be interpreted by Senator Jackson as an
evidence OF partiality to Senator Harris. Mr..
Atkins, however, promised to license Cleveland
or Reynolds, in company with Jackson, and soc
that Jackson put up his share OF the capital.
Mr.. Vest saw Senator Jackson. and in n friendly
way told him that, 'like the balance of u.s. he
had some lame kin; that his brother, S. NJ jack
son, would get him lSenator Jacksonl into
trouble If he continued to write letters like
those to Cleveland proposing partnership; the
first thing he knew, there would be committee
of investigation, and the Republicans would be
making trouble about it. Senator jackson
thanked Senator Vest, but said the matter was
now arranged, and said his brother was now
prepared to gointo business. Mr.. Vest was also
informed that S. NJ jackson and his fatherin-
law, in st. Louis, had been about among
the merchants of st. Louis exhibiting
his license and trying, on the strength OF it, to
secure credit, but without success After his
interview with the Commissioner Mr.. Vest
wrote to his friends in ST. Louis, stating that
Mr.. Atkins had promised TO relicense Reynolds
or Cleveland in company with jackson, and ask
ing them to make their election between the
two. After having written that letter, he was
informed by o letter from the Commissioner
that he could not carry out his promise Mr.
Vest saw the Commissioner again and received
the same information verbally. He was indig-
nant at having been put in the position OF prom
ising to secure relicense and being refused,
aud had written his second letter. already pub
lished, to Major Bannerman under these cir
cumstances. He had known Mr.. Atkins many
years, and was terms OF personal friendship
with him. Mr.. Atkins was, like himself, an inn
petuous man, but he was thoroughly honest. and
any statement that he Senator Vest) had ever
said anything indicating contrary belief was
false. Mr.. Vest in the course of his remarks,
produced and read some letters from Cleveland
making reference to Atkins's impecunious
friend, and charging that the plan of the new
traders was to hold off until the Commissioners
should order the old ones off the reservation per.
emptorily, when the new men hoped to secure
the stock and property for song