The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-07-27
THE INDIAN TRADERSHIPS
SENATOR VEST BEFORE THE
PLATT COMMITTEE.
His Statement With Regard to the
Jackson Matter-HOw He Be-
came Involved In 1t.

WASHINGTON, July Ex-senator Vest
made a statement before the Platt
special commit ca of the Senate this
morning with regard to his connection
with the Indian leadership matters.
H said he did not personally know
either of the traders at Ansrdarko
cleveland and Reynolds) when he
first interested himself in the subject,
but his action YVES taken in conse.
Quence of representa- ons made to him
by friends, men of standing and repute
in st. Louis, that the new men who
Mr.. Atkins was appointing knew moth
ing of the business, and the effect OF
pointing Tennesseeans and Missis-
sipp'ars exclusively would be to divert
the trade from st. Louis, where it bad
lopg conferred, to Memphis. He wrote
to Commissioner Atkins and after
wards called on him, making known
the fact that S. NJ. Jackson, whom the
Commissioner had licensed, was sell
ing proposals for a partnership with
the old traders which, though no. ex-
pressed in so many words, indicated
purpose to trade off his license for
a share in the p'ofta. Mr.. Atkins
wss indignant and promised to write
Jackson that he must establish him.
self in trade at once or his license
would be revoked. In regard to the
Ielicensing of Cleveland or Reynolds,
Atkins said he did not wish to do
either, stating as reason with regard
to Cleveland that he was said to have
an interest in herd of cattle on the
reeervation2 Mr.. Atkins said he did
not want to revoke Jackson's license
abruptly or act hastily in the matter
on account of the condition OF things
in Tennessee. II he were to revoke
Jackson's license at once, it would be
interpreted by Senator Jackson as evil
dence of Partially to Senator Harris.
Mr.. Atkins, however, promised to IL
Cense Cleveland or Reynolds in COM
papy with Jackson and to see that
Jacb son pnt up his share of the CAPT
tai. Mr.. Vest saw Senator Jackson
and in friendly way told him that
'like the balance OF us" he had go me
lame kin, that his brother, 8. NJ. Jack.
son, would get him Senator Jsckson)
into trouble if he continued to write
letters like those to Cleveland, propos-
ing partnership. The first thing he
knew there would be committee on in
vestigation 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 WIS now prepared to
go into business. Mr.. Vest was also
informed that s. NJ. Jackson and his
father-in-lsw, of st. Louis, had been
about among the meI chants OF st.
Louis exhibiting his license and trying
on the strength of it to secure credit,
but without success. After his inter-
view with the Commissioner, Mr..
Vest wrote to his friends in st. Louis
stating that Mr.. Atkins had promised
TO relicense Reyn olds or Cleveland in
company with Jackson and asking
them to make re election between
the two. After hsving writtets that
letter he was Informed bya letter ttom
the Commissioners that he could not
carry out his promise. Mr.. Vest saw
the Commissioner egain and receiv d
the same Information verbally. He
was indignant at having been put in
the position of promising secure re-
license and being refused, and had writ
ten hissecond letter already published)
to Maj, Bannerman under these cir
cunt tances. He had known Mr.. At
kins many years and was on terms of
personal friendship with him. Mr..
Atkins was like himself, an impetuous
man, but he was thoroughly homes,
and any statement that he Senator
Vest) had ever said anything iudict-
ing a contrary belief was false. Mr..
Vest, in the course CT hisremarks, pro-
duced and read some letters from
Cleveland, making reference to At.
ki0s's impeCuuious friends. and charg.
ing that the plan of the new traders
was to hold off until the Commissioner
should order the old ones off the reser-
walton peremptorily, when the new
men hcpfd to secure the stock aud
properly for song.