The times., 1897-09-01
BLISS TROUBLES.
His Choice for an Office Vetoed by
Indian Commi - Toner Jones.

Indian Comm - tOner Jones.
The office Of Assistant Commissioner OF
Indian Affairs is Just at present bone
OF hot contention between Secretary Bliss
and fn(.ian Commissioner Jones. SO clearly
defined are the respective positions OF the
two officials concerning this matter that
it is said openly that their personal rela.
tons are considerably strained il not en-
tireIy severed.
The trouble lies in the difference of opin-
ion rs TO what shall be done with present
Assistant Indian Commissioner Smith, who
was appointed by President Cleveland and
held over until the present time. Smith,
il is understood, has made splendid rec
ord during his term of office, tut the
place is so prominent a one that the polit-
ical losses OF the party could not recon
Gle themselves to its being longer held
by a Democrat.
So far all was plain sailing, and it was
thought that Smith would soon give place
to protege OF Senator Hanna-an Ohio
man by the name OF Tawner. There is
no doubt that Tawner would have gotten
the office i'll short order, because in adj
dition to the backing OF Senator Hanna.
Tawner is the private secretary OF Secre-
tary Bliss. But just at this point Secze-
tary Bliss threw the Hanna camp into
deep CONSERVATION by declaring flatly that
Smith must be provided for in case he
was compelled to vaCate the commission
ership.
It is said that Senator Hanna remon-
Strated against this strongly, and 1t is
further alleged that President Mckinley
taken by the Secretary. This failed TO
budge that gentleman, however, but he
proposed a compromise that apparently
simplified the situation. 1t was that
Tawner should be given the place of
assist Snt commissioner and that Smith
should be transferred TO field duty as d
special agent of the department. The
parties interested were informed of this
arrangement and the change was about 70
be made when Commissioned Jones de-
livered the ultimatum that Tawner was
not acceptable to him as al assistant
and that he positively would not counte-
nance the appointment.
This in tereSting event occurredlast week
and at the outset Secretary Bliss was
highly displeased with the stand taken
by ComnIissioneT eT Jones, On last Friday the
two gentlemen had a conference in the
private office OF the Secretary. While it
cannot be learned what occurr ed on that
occasion, it is known that the session was
a stormy one, and that the two officials
parted In anything but an amica BILE frame
Oh mind. But nothing definite concerning
the controversy was arrived at.
Another conference was arranged for
last Monday afternoon and Commissioner
Jones was on hand. But 1t is said that
tie Secretary sent out a curt message to
the effect that other matters enga ged his
attention just at that time.
Those who are cognizant of the situa
ton are keenly on the alert for develop
ments. It is understood that Secretary
Bliss has aroused considerable enmity on
the part Of the political bosses by his
independent course in appointing or urg
ing for appoin trnent men of his own Sc
lection.
Commissioner Jones' objection to Tawner
in the act that it conflicts with the Com
missioner's policy to have nc assistants
VINO are not perfectly in accord with hiIsl
in his administration of the office. He has
been particularly active in breaking up
certain deals which are known to be of
frequent occurrence in the adIninistra tion
of the Indian affairs in the field. 1t is
known that the Government, as well as
the Indians. has lost much money through
the questionable transactions of the In.
dian agents in turning over to the various