The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-07-19

Senator Vest Asks Some Questions, but Fail
to Obtain Much Information.


Senator Vest Asks Some Questions, but Fails
to Obtain Much Information.
WASHINGTON, July 1.-THE investigation into
the Indian leadership matter was continued by
the Plat special committee in the Senate this
morning. R. NJ. Hunter attorney for Cleve
land & Co., of Anadarko, submitted an addi-
tional number OF papers, which had been sent
by him to the President, as part of his appeal
from the action of Commissioner Atkins in re-
fusing to renew the license Of his clients. The
receipt of the papers was acknowledged by Col.
Lamont who stated that they had been referred
by the President in person to the Secretary OF
the Interior. Mr.. Hunter described his at
tempts to secure interviews with the Secretary
of the Interior, and his failure. On one occa
sion, after waiting two hours, he was informed
by the son and private secretary Of the Secre
tary of the Interior that the latter had just
gone out with Judge Jackson. After one more
attempt to secure action more favorable to hrs
clients by the COMMISSIONS. of Indian Affairs,
Mr. Hunter. Under instructions from his clients,
laid the matter before Senator Wilson, whose
action was the basis of the present inquiry.
Senator Vest was in the room, and when tn6
direct examination of the witness had been con-
cuded, asked permission to put a question.
II see by the papers, Mr.. Hunter" he said,
sthat yesterday you pnt in evidence two private
letters from me- Where did you get those
lettersF
Answer-They were put into my hands for
the express purpose of facilitating the renewal
of the license of cleveland & Co.. ard protecting
their interests.
'rWell, Senator don't know that should
answer
II think you should want to know how
my private correspondence to an intimate friend
come into your possession. Did you furnish
those letters to the New York Tribune or to its
correspondent
"Why, do you suppose would answer such
question, whether did or mott"
II don't know whether you would or not Men
who do such things are not usually disposed to
admit it."
IL am not here to be catechised in that way
'They were my private correspondence" said
Mr. Vest; II want to know where you got those
lettere2a
Il don't know as you have any right to ask
me those questions. am only TO be questioned
by tho committee If the committee ask mo
the question will answer it."
Senator Coke-I will ask the question Where
did you get the letters!
Answer-They were placed in my hands by
my client.
Mr. vest-With authority to put them into
the newspapers!
Answer-Who alleged, Senator Vest, that we
put them into the newspapers
Mr. Vest-Why. you know as we'll as you
know you are living, that the letters were pub
lished.
Witness (excitedly,-Those letters, or copies Of
them, permit me to inform you. have been in the
hand of the President of the United States and
the Secretary of the Interior, and this commit
tee, and there are other sources OF leaking as
we'll as through me-
Mr. Vest-I am glad to see that you are ex-
cited. Now let me ask you whether you fu-
nished these letters to the New York Tribunei
Answer decline to answer that question.
Mr. Vest Ito the committee THAT is all
wanted to ask. / just wanted to know what
sort of gang my letters had cot into.
The committee thereupon adjourned, subject to
the call Of the chairman.