St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1886-07-17
THE PROBABLE UPsHor
THE AG ENCY SCANDAL.
Further Testimony Regarding the
ANardarkO Indian TraGars

| II
| WASHINGTON, July 16.-The examina-
ton OF Il. NJ. Hunter, attorney for Cleve-
land 81 Co.. late traders at Anadarko, |.
t., was continued this morning by the
Platt special committee of the senate. Mr..
Hunters evidence was substantially in cor
roboration of that of MI Cleveland on
Tuesday last. He described series of in
terviews between himself and the commits
sioner of Indian affairs with respect to the
renewal of Cleveland's license and S. M.
JacksOn'S proposition for partnership
with Cleveland. At one OF the interviews
Mr.. Hunter said he believed, though he
could not swear to it, that he (Hunter)
termed Jackson's proposition blackmail-
| ing scheme. The outcome of these inter-
views was q refusual by Mr.. Atkins to re-
license Cleveland. The witness several
times referred to interviews with Senator
Vest, who, he said, was interested in behalf
of Mr.. Cleveland, but the committee decided
not to hear anything with regard to these
interviews which was not essential to a
clear understanding Of Hunters own action,
because Senator Vest had made a request
| to be called as witness and allowed to tell
his own story. Witness, by instruction of
his clients, appealed the matter to the presi-
dent, and sent to him, after a personal in
| tervieW with Col. Lamont, some documents
| in the case. One document was all affida-
Wit made by Cleveland respecting the story
| of JackSOn'S visit to Anadarko, his offer to
enter into partnership, with him (Jackson)
putting in the license while Cleveland fur
nished the capital and experience and did
all the work; his (Jackson's) threat to have
Cleveland put off the reservation if he did
not assent to partnership upon these
terms and his statement that he had sufficient
influence with Commissioner Atkins to Sc
cure his object. Among the documents
were also
THE FOLLOWING LETTERS,
both addressed to Maj. James Bannerman,
care of Meyer, Bannerman 81 Co., st.
Louis, Mo.
United States Senate, Washington, D. c.,
Dec. 5, 1S85.-Dear Jim: / had q long talk
to-day with Atkins, commissioner OF Indian
affairs. The result of it all was that he is
willing to license either Reynolds or Cleve-
land in conjunction with Jackson. He refused
| to license both, but says he will give either of
them recommend, joint license with Jack
son, who is already licensed. This was the
best could get. Now, want you to see
Dave and then write me who is the man.
Cleveland or Reynolds. I don't care for
either, but want to meet your and Davis
wishes. Let me know at once. Your friend,
G. G. VEST.
United States Senate, Washington, Dec IL,
ISoO-OGdF Jill. Slice WFlIlQR you the other
day received a note from the commissioner
of Indian affairs asking me to call at his of
fee. He wanted to tell me that he had just seen
Jackson and found it impossible to keep his
promise in regard to giving q partnership
with Jackson, either to Rey nolds or Cleveland
as might select. He then said that he would
try to give Reynolds another leadership at
another point, and that this was the best he
could do. 1t is simply impossible for me to
do justice to my astonishment when found
he had changed his mind, but found I could
not help myself and so the matter rests.
Atkins seems determined to put all the trad
erships ip the Indian territory in the hands
of Mississippians or Tennesseeans. do not
want to have quarrel with him, but / think
l shall offer resolution in the senate asking
for full information as to these appoint
ments. Let me know whether Reynolds will
take leadership ct another point. Atkins
told me that Cleveland had herd of cattle
on the reservation and he did not think he
could appoint him under any consideration.
Your friend, A. G. VEST.