The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-06-23
GENERAL UPSHAW
WHY HE WILL NOT PROBABLY BE
APPOINTED TO ATKINS PLACE.
Other Applicants for the Piace-E. John
Ellis, of Louisiana, and James Mo-
Laughlin Talked of--what is Said
About Them.

New YoRK. June 15.-The Evening Post,
Washington correspondent sends 1t the fol
lowing in regard to the place vacated by
Gen. Atkins
Unless some argument or influence shall
be brought to bear which is not now fore
seen, it is pretty we'll settled that the Presi
dent will not appoint 'Gen." Upshaw tc
the commissionership OF Indian affairs
This Is not because Mr.. Upshaw is not re
garded at the White-house as q very useful
man in certain sphere. He has plenty Of
energy and push he gets along nicely with
his subordinatcs, all Of whom entertain the
kindest possible feelings for him; and hi,
worst enemy cannot say that he has ever re,
fused to friend or foe the fullest scrutiny oil
the work Of the bureau and the record of It's
personnel. There have been no scandals
about Incorporated funds or rations
which did not como 10 time under bis
management. The representatives OF rcputa.
BILE newspapers have had free access 10 tho
books and documents Of the bureau con-
corning every topic in which the public had
any Legitimate interest; and, when fault has
been found with any OF the appointments
made, IL must be said 10 Mr.. Upshaw's credit
that he has never lodged or tried 10 got rid
OF responsibilities which belonged 10 him.
But the President seems 10 share the general
opinion here that the assistant commissioner
Is not large enough man for the place. His
horizon and his experience arc limited. He
Is clever, but ho Is not grcat---bright but not
broad; and what the place needs is emphat-
ically an able man OF affairs 10 al u.
Two other candidates have some very TO
spectacle backing. Ex-Reprcsentatiye Il.
John Ellis, OF louisiana who lost his grip
on politics ut home through trying conclti-
sions with the local machine, has been prac-
ticing law In this city for the last few years.
IL was believed by many that, when the
present administration came In, he would
have foreign appointment, as the President
was understood 10 have friendly regard for
him. II Is not, therefore, through any
special fitness for tho charge OF the Indian
bureau that his friends are urging him for
tho commissionership, but because they
like him. II Is really Mrs. Kills ON whom
they would rcly for tho shaping Of a policy
and the planning Of means Tor It's execution.
II their candidate were TO get the Office.
She Is OF strong philanthropic inclina-
tons. and has especially interested herself in
the cause OF the Indian. The idea OF COM
bining the agreeable qualities and fair ability
of the husband with the sympathetic studies
OF the wife In the management Of the
bureau seems 10 have struck several gentle
men OF good standing In the party rs happy
one.
The other wel-supported candidate whose
name has leaked out Is James Mclaughlin,
at present In charge OF the Standing Rock
agency, In Dakota. He has the support IL
Is understood, Of Herbert Welsh and several
other magnates Of the Indian Rights asso-
citation, who have been particularly con-
cerned about the Sioux. Mr.. Mclaughlin
Is OF Canadian birth, and was appointed 10
tho service toward the close OF President
Grants first term, rs an engineer NJ the
DEVILS Lake agency. In Dakota. Within the
first year he was promoted 10 be n black
raised from s7eo 20 $500. In June, 1875, the
agent then in charge OF DEVILS Lake having
been removed. Mclaughlin was put into
his place. aud stayed there TIL June,
1881, when lac was transferred 10 Standing
Rock, 10 take the place OF Father Stephan,
a Roman Catholic priest who had been agent
there. lie was rcappointed at the expiration
OF his term In 1855. and will probably con.
tinue 20 hold his place as long ns he wants
burcan speaks highly Of him as an agent.
His accounts are rendered regularly and cor
rectly; he manages 10 handle his charges 10
their satisfaction and the governments; In
short, rs one veteran officer OF the bureau
expressed u today, the country could be
wished no better luck than that all It's In
dian agents were McIaughlins." In re-
ligion lac Is q consistent Catholic, and it was
supposed at first that his predecessor,
Father stephan, who Il here OF the head OF
the Catholic Indian mission work, had pro
cured strong influences from the Church IN
his behalf. But u appears that most Of the
efforts for McIaughlin's advancement have
been made by Protestant rcformers, who
have had some chance 10 study his methods
and have learned 10 like and respect the
man.
II must be said. however, that the strong.
est Of his friends with whom the Ereying
Post correspondent has talked do not 'ap-
prove the idea Of McIaughlin's being raiscd
20 such dignity NJ the sommlssonership.
They say that his meager education, his lack
Of acquaintance with executive duties OF the
class that pertains 10 the commissionership.
etc, would operate against his success. and
the service would lose a first-class suborli-
nate 10 gain third-claSs chief Social In
fucnce Is said also 20 ~ at work 10 prevent
his being brought 10 Washington In such a
capacity. his wife being a half-brced, and
the interpreter nj the agency. No rcflcc-
lions are cast upon her personally, but the
argument Is made that In choosing am occu.
pant for 10 high an Office. considerations OF
caste ought 10 have some weight In lis
present stage therefore, the contest for tho
head Of tho Indian burcau may be Said 20
be morc or less Of "woman's war" aud tho
person who seems 30 be giving himself the
least bother about II IL he WHOSE namo will
be attached 70 the commission OF the APP