The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-06-04
PROMISE OF A BIG SCANDAL.
THE PAYMENT OF THE ss,oooooo TO
THE CHoCTAHS SUSPENDED


Charges NInde to President Cleveland that
$3.50, ocO II First TO Re Paid, Under Con-
trnct, to Lawyers, Lobbyists. and Agents
The Warrant for the $4,000 900 Drawn
and Ordered Paid, but Assistant secre-
tnry unmiin Has Suspended Payment I'm
III Mr. Cariisle's Return to Washington.
WASHINGTON, June 3.-It Ia not impossible
that an unpleasant scandal may develop
within the noxt few days In connection with
the payment OF SO 0o0,0 to the Choctaw and
Chickasaw Indian Nations. as authorized by q
clause in the Indian Appropriation bill Of the
Fifty-nrst Congress. When President Clcve-
land few days ago approved and accepted
the deeds OF the Indian lands nothing re-
manned to be done except to put the warrant
for tho payment OF the money through the
routine OF the Treasury Department In
| stantly. as II by magic. lawyers. lob
| byists, politicians. strikers. md leeches
| OF all sorts congregated in Washington, until
| It looked as though evory man In the United
| States who was ever known to be connected
| with Congressional job was on hand to get
slice OF tho biggest piece OF public pork that
| has been distributed In Washington for many
| a day Everything started out smoothly. and
| when the Treasury Department closed yester-
| day thore was every indication that the vul-
| lures would be able to seize their prey early
| this morning. Secretary Carlisle. Just before
| leaving for tho Eastern Shore yesterday to
| spend Sunday with Senator Gibson Of Mary
| land. ordered the $4,000. 900 warrant to be is
sued The warrant was drawn By Chief Mac
Lehman and sent to tho office OF the First
| Comptroller OF the Treasury to be paid to the
| proper representative OF the Indians. But the
| warrant was not delivered this morning. and
| its payment has again been suspended"
| As soon as the Treasury doors were opened
| the chief benelciaries OF the big claim were In
| the Treasury corridors. and the others were
| waiting at convenient POINTS within hailing
distance outside. In addition to tho direct
| benefciaries there were sub-contractors In
the persons OF boarding house keepers and
small merchants OF various kinds. who had
liens upon tho cash in tho shape Of due bills
The entire crowd were thunderstruck when
the word came out that payment had been
| suspended for day or two. until rhe return Of
! Secretary Carlisle" 1t was difficult for the
| lawyers and lobbyists to understand this, be-
| cause 1t was Secretary Carlisle himself who
! yesterday gave the order for the payment OF
sthe warrant. They soon learned. however.
that Acting Secretary Hamlin is the man. who
! notwithstanding his chiefs order gave direc-
tons that the warrant should remain upon the
First Comptroller's desk for n day or two.
Investigation develops the fact that Mr..
Hamlih took this action because Of his knowl-
edge thnt President Cleveland is now en-
gagged. or was when he loft for his fishing trip.
IN investigating the charge that this vast
sum Of money has been so heavily discounted
| to the lawyers. lobbyists. agents. &C.. en-
ployed before Congress and in the denart-
very little lett fer the Indians who sold
s left se c ss t ssi0fS os
on May %. letter was. placed "a he hands
oM xpsF a 81 sah
agent. who "a under contract with the Choc-
taTs to assist In the prosecution Of the 5000.
President ali about the contracts and arrange
msnts between the, Indians and the lawyers
tract tSenty.ive per cent. Of ths Whole am cunt
due the Ch4ct"ws Is to re naid to one robert
who is t" see thn nat ont Of tbs sum
claims are to be paid. Mr: Sypher 20" gave Tho
terms Of this contract. the important provis-
lon OF which is AS follows:
He Owen, shall empoy all the attorneys
and legal talent, political influence, public
shall le necessary to secure to tie Choctaw
| patton her free rights in the promises out OF q
s%Sntipgsnt Ice Of 20 per cent herein contract
The contract sets aside an additional five
Per cent: to be divided among the three dele;
Ing t5e% r ssss sSeat s5S.SSa IF: Sxsn being
from the tnoetnw Nation, his contract having
bee, been made with the I'D original delsga:
money mil directly to the Inc IA ms ! them mn :.
selves. and In his letter to the President points
and a robbery Of the indians. lie su GHIti
to the President that tho only equitable way 10
the hands the to s MI Ees
longs. and tor whose benefit Congress nppro-
other duly authorized discussing officer Of the
Assistant Secretary Of liz
TSon II. f Pnesdop' Ton this E letter. snd
knowing that AR; Cleveland had promised to
| give 1t full consideration, he took 1t upon him
self to order that the payment OF the warrant
| be suspended to-day. notwfthst landing Secrs-
tt.ry Carllslss order Of Yesterday to the CON
The methods employed by the lawyers and
lobbyists to secure the disbursement Of this
and shrewd than anything experienced in
Washing ton sLnee the gHsen Old days when
last two y Years 81 the Harrison Admini.trstoS
to secure favorable action, hut failure was en-
dent and Secretary OF the Interior. As soon
~ the new Administration came in a COM
made, which. |, was thought yesterday. lad lad
ultimately proved successful Every poss bio
Influence wAs brought to hear upon the In
| striking effect.
| Immediately after tho 4th Of March an sy-
| Congressman from Georgia who had served
many years In the House ant was known TO be-
q warm personal and political friend OF Score
tary HoIe smith. was brought to Washington
| and retained by the men interested IN tho
claim. with tho result that the new Secretary
| Of the Interior gave it his unqualified endorse.
| mont, At tho head Of I'll" lohhy hrorer was
| placed an vN- Congressman who Is warm per-
sonnl friend Of Secretary Carlisle pnd who las
access o him at all timss. so that he had every
opportunity OF explaining tho merits OF the
case to the secretary. which, indeed; vas not
| mem Der OF both Houses Of Congress. had Oc-
| casion to examine the claim time and time
| again. One lonphole was left open. however
| Assist ant Secretary Iiamlin does not seem TO
have been SO .h9.ppshly iniormed AS he Nigh.
tho $4,000 900 check night haze pns;;ed over
| 1t In. the lobby are not discouraged. They say
| that as soon MS Secretary Carlisle arrives In
| town on Monday he will rescind Mr.. Hamlin's
action Of to-day and order the delivery Of the
| warrant.
The fee Of tho Washington law firm OF Paine
& Laid. who were employed by the Chicks-