Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-07-26

SENATOR VESTS STATEMENT OF HIS CoNNko-

SENATOR VESTS STATEMENT OF HIS CoNNko-
TIoN WITH THE ANADARko AFFAIR.
The Platt select committee of the Senate to-
day heard Senator Vests statement of his con.
nection with the subject OF Indian traderships
al Anadarko, Indian Territory. He stated at
the outset that he had no interest whatever tu
the matter beyond a desire TO serve personal
and political friends in Missouri that he cared
nothing Whatever for Cleveland d Co. In sub.
stance Mr.. Vest stated that he was urged 10y
Messrs. Zimmerman, Caruth aud Rainwater of
ST. Louis, to Interest himself 10 procure the
relicenslng of Cleveland & Co. and Reynolds at
Anadarko, they being represented To him as
good men aud old customers of 1T. Louis
friends of his. Besides, they were indebted 10
their business as traders WAS broken up. IL.
Cleveland and his ST Louis creditors repre-
sented that the Indian bureau was appointing
Tennesseeans and Mtssissippians 10 ali the tra-
derships in the Indian Territory, ana that such
a policy would result i'm dlyerting the trade
from 81 Louis To Memphis. MIR. Vest detailed
all the steps he took 10 procure the retention OF
the traders named and gave an account OF u
conversation held with Commissioner Atkins
about the lst OF last December, in which he
(Nest) urged his point. Gen. Atkins Was very
much averse TO reappointlng Cleveland, saying
he was charged with having a herd Of cattie GA
Mr. Vest produced a letter he had received
from 81. Louis which enclosed copies of two
letters from - A. Jackson, a newly licensed
trader, asking Cleveland d Co., 10 make him
some proposition looking 10 their going into
business together. The writer OF The letters
the enclosures u. l.. EllesDeel
charged That jackson had been exhibiting his
license in ST. Louis and trying TO buy
goods on credit on the strength OF it. Mr..
sioner, who denounced IL as an outrage,
saying he would Immediately require jackson
TO open business on capital OF his own revoke
his license. Mr.. Vest said Jackson's license
ought TO be revoked at once, TO which the com.
missioner replied that that was his Judgment,
but owing to "A feeling on the part OF senator
jackson that he (Atklns) was unfriendly TO him
he feared that harsh treatment Of the brother
might be miscoustrued.
Commissioners Atkins finally agreed TO license
either Cleveland or Reynolds with Jackson,
saying he would see that the latter furnished
mis- due share OF the capital.
Mr. Vest was surprised and irritated next
morning at the receipt OF a letter from the COM
missioner revoking the promise he had made.
1t was under this irritation that Mr.. Vest wrote
the letter complaining of the commissioner.
which has been published.
Mr.. Vest showed the charges against s. NJ.
jackson TO Senator Jackson Who said the mat
ter had all been arranged, as he (the Senatorl
ana Gen. jackson, another brother, were 70 fur
nish capital for 3. NJ. to start business. Upon
Senator Jackson giving that assurance 70 Gen.
Atkins he revoked the promise made TO Mr.
Mr.. Vest said, emphaticalIy, that he had
never at any time said or intimated that Com.
missioner Atkins was guilty OF any fraud or
him (Vesi) of such charge was guilty OF abso-
lutte falsehood. He had known Atkins loug.
M Mr.. We Vest % also read a letter. daied Ju,v 10Th.
from Major Bannerman, 10 whom he wrote the
letters which were published. Bannerman
wrote that he was amazed and shocked 1T the
publication, ana charged Cleveland with base
treachery In giving them out; that Cleveland
had solemnly promised that Vest should not
be dragged into the matter. In conclusion he
declared he would never ask Vests aid for
another friend, feeling that he had forfeited the
right to do SO. Mr.. Vest did not show Atkins
the letters he had received, there were private
matters in them, but the contents were dis
cussed.
the committee adjourned, subject to the osli
Of the chairman.