New-York tribune., 1886-07-06
MR. ATKINS IN HOT WATER.
A POST TRADBRSHIP SCANDAL - OFFER
REVELATIONS

n 'Voi AhhDShOnlf SCANDAI QUEER
REVELATIONS
tFROM THE REGULAR coRREsPosDESr or rny rprprx,
WASHINGTON. July 81 he connection be-
tween politics and an Indian trader,hIp NAV not be AZ,
parent to everybody; but that nevertheless
proved by the strange doings Of the Hon. J. d. C. Al
kins Conn issoner OF Indian Affairs Ever sine, Senator
Jackson resigned his seat in the United States s.nat.
10 accept place the bench, the eyes OF Mr. Aki,
have lovingly turned direction OF the chair now
temporarily occupied by ex Congressman Whitthorne
The commissioner has used hs oifci, position for n
1t Is worth In view Of the Sci aorsl contest m Ten
nessee which is to be decided by the election Of legt
next fall lie has taken care as sen stor Vest "a
cares. OF his "impecupous AMI mpo vershed frieuiv
ronuesee, extent which the performancas
Of the most ambitious politician In this line into tho
shade Mr.. Vest may be rreudced when talking OF Mr.
Atkins, for It must be difficult 10 him to forget that tho
Hon. Indian Commissioner of the Pan Elect 1,
who relieve him OF his hara-earnei cash in
exchange for worthless stock. However this il neither
here there. What moved Mr.. Vest to hold forth
against Mr. AtkDs's "impecunious and impoverished
friends was the app ointment OF s. VI. Jack.on, a
brother OF the Senator, to Indian leadership a.
the kiOwa CoInanche AMI Wichita agency in the Indian
Territory.
To show how little politics considered in the cen.
sing OF Indian traders under former Administrations
may mention the fact that when Mr.. Atkins into
office he found at this particular agency four Traders
three OF whom were Democrats. He promptly reissued
licenses to the Democrats but in tue OF the Eepu-
caD he pun different course. The license of
latter-he did business under the name OF C. A. Glove
land & co. was 70 expire IN January 1886 seven
months previous 10 this sometime IN june 1855, Mr.
Atkins issued license to :. NJ Jackson. OF Tennessee
Jackson h,d neither capital MOI business experience
This therefore rather s.Iansc on the part OF tAs
indian Commissioners
on July g. of last year. Jackson presented himself at
the store OF A. c. Cleveland x CO.. with the license IN
his pocket To say that these gentlemen taken
das
They had invested their whole capital in goods suitable
Tor the Indian trade which, II DOyed els where would
have proved worthless They had Just completed the
erection OF large stOrchOuse at the cost Of several
thousand dollars VIII ch would prove total loss 20 them
l, they were compelled to give up business. Naturally
they were alarmed at the prospect OF being compelled
To their store. Mr.. Jackson hemmel and ha vel
good dell bat finally proposed partnership. Upon
what terms r. demanded Nr. Cleveland Well" said
jackson slowly III put in my license; you put up The
capital and do al the work. and I'll take % Ter cent as
my share OF the profits" Mr. Cleveland Indignantly
refused to enter in any such agreement Jack,On
him some time to consider The proposition; but NJ
Cleveland remained firm. lie wrote letter to ths
In Commissioner proie testing against D~lng Olei
in M, % M ret'r,'st r. Tennessre where he tr'et
10 dispose OF his icense. Nobody would take H. Hs
Thcn went to It Louis where he attempted - enter n.9
partnership with some men vi means. NOBODY "Ouli
have anything to do with MIN.
Mr. Cleveland. in the interval, began to hope that
after all he might be allowed to remain uDdsturbed in
the osesson Of his traders license; and it became
necessary therefore, TO put tho screws down on him
onca more IN the OF Jackson. Commissioner
Atkins consequently wrote Mr.. Cleveland in October
ast Informing him his license would be cnceled
upon expiration in January. The letter had not the
desired effect however. Mr. Ccvelani instead of prov
ing more yielding the proposals Of Mr. Jackson wrote
TO the business houses Louis iere he in tue
habit of purchasing his gOols These. in theic lurn
wrote TO Senator Vest II is good point about
Vest he looks after the Interests Of his consut
uents This outrage" he exclaimed, when be read
tbe letters of mis- Louis friends, cannot cOunte
nance; don't whose brother II Is. Aud he forth
With went to Commissioner AtklDs. Ine lhtee
wanted to by getting Jackson 10 lover ms
demands upon Cleveland & Co. This was IN December
last Mr. Cleveland, however ac.lng uIOn the irnrlls
of millions for defence ana not one cent fO trlpOte
declined the offer aud employed counsel who lad the
wnole matter before the Pre-ien In letter addressed
10 the President, Mr.. CleyeaDds counsel Inquired
whether Mr. Atkins permitted to Issue Licenses %
ilrespons bic parties Tor tie purpose OF allowing c -
oackmail traders; fOi that Mr. JacKsohs cohuJc.
amOu n ed The letter remained unanswered oeyoDi
formal ackuO led tgment, by Colo.ei IahO a. OF US
receut second letter Jared no better In the me-
time MessrS Cleveland Co.. had 10 shut up thelr slor'
nj a heavy loss: traders Democrats OF cOuIsc-
hayins been appointed IN their place.
Not many years ago. General BelknaD was driven our
f Gr,nts Cabinet for maKing the appointment 10 post
truderships source OF to himself IL Is dih'
cult 70 see wherein the ut differs materially
FROM that which disgIacel Grants Secretary OF War.
While not himself perhaps the beneficiary OF his OIL eia
act Mr. ATKINS has allowed others 10 bleed, not TO
Cal. by worse name, rtputaDe 'rdners; lor tuHle 'o
other which equal ts III character, anu "noh .s
nd Will be fully exposed before tne senate committee
nov having tne matter under consideration. shai
refer to them At another Tine