The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-08-30

Ever since the 4th OF March-the aQ-
vent of the Mckinley administration
the Chippewa Indian commission and
myself as commissioner have been the
subject of much newspaper comment,
and efforts for my removal have been
so persistent that they have culminat-
ed into viciousness on the part of GER
tain newspapers and individuals, who
have determined, by fair means or foul,
to effect my removal as Chippewa COM
missioner. Inasmuch as my admins
tration of the affairs of the commits
sion is, 1 judge, satisfactory to the
authorities at Washington, and, 1 am
sure, eminently so to the Indians with
whom l have to deal, the question nat
urally arises what is my offence and
whom have I offended? 1t seems to
me that the time has arrived when the
public should have my answer and ex-
plantations to the many charges that
have been publicly made against me in
my capacity as Chippewa Indian COM
missioner. 1 can assign no other rea-
son for the vicious attacks that have
been made upon me than the efforts I
have eXerted in behalf of the Chippe-
wa Indians to prevent their being rob-
bed of their valuable pine timber; to
thwart the designs of certain lumber
men, who would now, as they have in
the past, prey upon the pine timber of
the state and the Indians. These men
have 1 much offended. Before going
further let me give a brief history of
my appointment and connection with
this commission
Towards the close of my term in the
hod
surance that I would be appointed
either United States marshal or sur
veyor general for Minnesota. Late in
January, 1894, I was urged by Secre-
tary Hoke Smith to accept the chair
manship of the Chippewa commission.
At first 1 was not disposed to consider
the offer, but so strenuously did the
secretary urge my acceptance that I
agreed to consider the matter and rem
der my decision by the 1st of March
following. On the 18th of February,
much to my surprise, my commission
was signed by the president and 1
formally notified of my appointment;
and on the 5th of March l assumed the
duties of the office. Later I learned
how all this came about Prior to date
of my appointment Michael Doran,
Daniel w. Lawler and O'Connor were
in Washington urging O'Connor's ap-
pointment as United States marshal.
AS the story has been related to me.
these gentlemen had an understanding
with Secretary Smith that the people
of Minnesota were clamorous for the
appointment Of O'Connor as marshal
and would revolt If I was not appoint
ed chairman of the Chippewa commits
sion. On the 18th of February these
gentlemen waited on the president, set
ting forth the wishes of the people OF
Minnesota and assuring him that the
appointments as proposed would be en-
tirely satisfactory to Baldwin, and that
nothing less than the carrying out OF
their programme would satisfy the peo-
pie of Minnesota, including the Indians
of the Chippewa reservation. On that
day O'Connor's commission as marshal
and Baldwin's commission as chairman
of the Chippewa commission were sign
ed by the president
This act was worthy the astute Do
ran and the diplomatic Lawler and
may be they builded better than they
knew, for, from all accounts, they gave
the state good marshal and the In
dams and myself are satisfied with the
l forgive them both. trust that Sena-
| tor Nelson and Congressman Towne and
| EDDY Will take no exception to my sum
| monlng them as witnesses in proof OF
the above statement regarding my ap-
polntment to the Chippewa commission
during the summer of 1895 Senator Mel
son and Representative Towne and Ed.
! dy accompanied me to Secretary Smiths
| Gfhce, where we had a conference with
him regarding Chippewa matters; al
the close of which, Senator Nelson re-
| quested OF the secretary that l be plac.
ed in charge-eX- -officio-of the work OF
estimating the pine timber of the sew.
eral reservations. / am quite sure that
| the senator and representatives have
not forgotten the secretary's reply
which was, that he considered Mr.
! Baldwin entitled to consideration at his
| hands, for it was at his urgent re-
| quest that he was appointed Chippewa
| commissioner, thus knocking me out
! (the secretary's very words) of the mar
! shalship or surveyor generalship OF
| Minnesota, either of which l might
| have had.
| Prior to my appointment 1 had beer
calling the attention of the secretary
to some Irregularities that ] had dis.
| covered in the operations of the Red
lake estimating corps. l was instruct
ed, on assuming the duties of my new
position, to make such investigation
of the corps as / could and report di.
rect to the secretary. These investiga-
tions began as soon as l reached White
Earth; the results convincing me that
conditions were even worse than I ha6
supposed. MiSmanagement, incompe-
tency, neglect and carelessness were
| apparent everywhere. I would like tC
make public the hundreds of pages
wrote the secretary on this subject
For time some attention was giver
my statements and reports, ther
through the influence of Commissioner
Lamoreaux, as I believe, he always op-
posing my efforts, my complaints mel
with no response. In the meantime ]
made several visits to Washington, but
was coolly received or received not al
all by the secretary; and as against
LamoreauX and other influences accom.
plished but little. One of my complaints
was the appointment by Secretary
Smith of incompetent men as estima.
tors. This was plainly in violation OF
law, and time and again I called the
attention of the secretary to the fourth