Evening star., 1886-07-22
A Complete ExplannttOn OF the Ana.
darkO Indian Trndershtp Gnse.

COMMISSIONERS ATKINS TEsTIFIES.
A Complete ExpIapntton OF the Ana
dsrkO Indian leadership case.
The Platt committee of the Senate to-day
heard the statement OF Commissioner Atkins,
Of the Indian bureau. In relation to the matter
OF Cleveland & Co.. Indian traders at Ana
darko. Indian Territory. and of the appoint
ment OF s. NJ. Jackson. Gen. Atkins got out OF
sick bed to attend the meeting, and. observing
his feeble appearance, Chairman Patt sug-
gested that the examination oe deferred, but
the commissioner preferred to 60 through with
the task.
In the first place the commissioner read the
law under which Indian traders are appointed.
No license can run for more than one year. but
sometimes trader whose license has expired
is permitted TO 20 for perhaps several
months by 'sufferauce."
ATTORNEY HUNTER sILENCEp.
Mr.. Hunter, attorney for Cleveland, under
took to interrupt the commissioner, who per
emptorily shut him up, saying that he would
hear nothing from him.
Siuce he took charge OF the bureau the COM
missioner said he had appointed 40 new trad
ers and re-appointed 5. old ones. He deter
agency, no matter what the law might be TO
prevent unfair dealing. In July, 1885. at the
8. N. Jackson, brother OF the Senator. a trader
al Anadarko. subsequently he heard that
jackson had proposed to sell his license for
sioner he denied it fiatly. Gen Atkins named
other parties lac thought OF licensing at that
agency, saying his idea was 10 appoint
nve different firms. He appointed one Jacobs,
but soon ascertained that he was a fraud" and
revoked the license. The appointment was
made at the request OF Judge Bond iatLer-in-
law of Jacobs. During last spring Mr.. Andrews,
who has supervision OF leadership matters, ad-
vised the commissioners that Z. A. Cleveland a
Co. should not be reappointed, as their record
was not square. The commissioner deferred a
great deal TO Mr.. Andrews Judgment, rs he Is
An old Official, but he didn't then ask tor details
But he added that IL would not be his policy Ia
deal too summariiy with traders not reap
pointed, as he did not want them TO lose money.
JACKSoNS APPOINTMENT.
Jackson was appointed in July and the mat
ter dragged along. Senator Vest aud others
urged the reappointment of Cleveland, and fail
ing in that asked that he be appointed with
jackson. This the commissioner refused Ia do.
In December or January last Cleveland and his
attorney called on the commissioners twice. On
the second call Cleveland charged that jackson
had proposed to go In partnership with him, lac
(Cleseland) putting IN the capital and expert.
ence and jackson simply putting In the licepse,
the profits to be equally divided. Immediately
upon the heels of this charge, which WAS made
orally and in writing, Cleveland asked thet he
be licensed with jackson. The comm Missioner,
with no little warmth. replied: ''Sir, you have
discredited yourself You have asked 10 20 into
partnership with a man you denounce, and let
Inc tell you your charges do not weigh "A leather
with me-" The written charge was put ON file,
the commissioner not taking time To read il.
CLEvELAND'S APPEAL To THE PRESIDENT.
The application OF Cleveland for renewal was
appealed to the President, along with the let
ters and charges hitherto published, and soon
after all the papers were returned 10 the com
missioner by tie President without comment
OF any kind. Then Hunter, CieveIands astor-
ney, called Oh the commissioner and inquired,
lis this flnal? Gen. Atkins replied that IL was
final So far he concerned; VIII .reupon
Hunter thanked him for the consideration he
had shown, and declared that he had appealed
The case only Tor the sake oI procuring ms fee,
As he could not procure il without th,,t course;
and he begged the commissioner not feel hurt
In February the Office received a letter from
jackson, in reply to a telegram ordering him To
begin business, asking permission 10 put u
partner at the agency, saying his jackson 81
vile was in Florida, Ill With consumption, ana
he could not locate upon the agency without
negiecting her. The commissioner replied that
the rules required the trader 10 reside IN per-
son al the agency, and 10 exception could be
made in JacksOn's Iavor Shortly after Jack
returned his license " the office and il was
Cancelled. Gen. Atkins declared that his atten-
tion was never called 10 any improper PROPOSE
ton by jackson until Cleveland flied his
Charges
CLEvELAND's RECORD.
The letters referred TO were put In evidence.
The commissioner said he did not look into
Clevelands record until after the surrender of
Jacksons license. He then submitted docu-
| ments in regard to Cleveiand's character. A
siOner Price charged that Cleveland had made
false representations to the bureau Tor the pur-
pose OF Injuring a competitor. Statements ot
the Indian agent were also submitted to show
| that CleSelauds $ stock was worth about five or
six thousand dollars. and not 5000, as had
been stated TO The President; also, that Cieye-
land bought several thousand dollars worth of
goods after he had been notified that his license
would not be renewed These statements were
based upon invoices filed with the Indian
agent, as il is required that they must be SO
filed. Numerous documents bearing against
the business character of Cleveland were sub
mitted.
MR.. HUNTER AGAIN SUPPRESSED.
MIR. Hunter sought TO interpose, but was ad-
vised by the chairman that he (Hunter) was
not conducting the investigation. In conclu-
sion Gen. Atkins said Ii had been charged that
he appointed impecunious relations aud friends
traders. He swore that no person, even re-
motely related TO himself or his Wife, has any
interest in any traderships.
The record of the court-martial of Hunter for
drunkenness, ETC., and findings OF guilty, were
put in, and the committee adjourned until sat