Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1897-04-08
THE GRAND JURT's ACTION.

for the purpose Of investigating
Agent Dickson, il n. " be csndidly
stated that its report to the court
published elsewhere in this paper
is, in the light Of events, very re-
markable document. II is neither
specific nor general. 1t deals neith-
or with condition nor a theory,
apparently.
Now a brief glance al some of
the we'll known facts in the case
may not be uninteresting at this
time, and the public seems to be
in possession Of fully as many
facts relative TO this matter as are
the members Of the late lamented
grand jury.
To have indicted Agent Dickson
for accepting bribe would have
involved a number Of our towns
men and citizens who we're in the
eyes of the law guilty Of giving
money with which to bribe the
thrifty agent; therefore il became
expedient to shield Dickson in or.
der TO save some Of our own citi-
zens from the same condemnation.
Samson-like, Mr.. Dickson pro-
posed through his friends, dupes,
and as we believe perjurers, to
pull down the same destruction
upon all who had contributed.
Therefore il became "expedient"
to ignore the charge Of bribery in
this particular. Just how 8 eworn
grand juror could arrive at the con-
clusion that il was his duty to pro-
tect any one is hard to understand.
II any of our citizens have been
guilty OF this kind Of conduct il is
wrong, and a violation Of the law.
The report vaguely hints at cer-
tain matters as though the grand
jury was unable to get but the
most meager information, when
the facts known on the outside in
dicate that the witnesses, unwilling
as many OF them we're TO testify,
acquitted themselvesf farmnre. cred
itably than some of the Jurors, who
from all outward appearances were
determined to protect the parties
of whose guilt there absolutely
copld be no doubt. 1t is difficult
to properly comment upon a mat
ter that has just been considered
by grand jury, but the facts are
so we'll known in some Of the cases
investigated by the last grand jury
that it seems proper that some-
thing be said relative TO the action
or rather the inaction Of that au-
gust assembly.
Through the investigation Of this
grand jury it has developed that
Robt. H. Kern, with the collusion
and connivance Of some prominent
Cherokee officials and citizens,
managed to &c. s126,0 900 Of Chero-
kee money paid over to him by an
order on the subtreasury at 1T.
Louis from the treasurer Of the
Cherokee nation. The grounds
for this order, and the Authority
for the same was certain contract
entered into by Mr.. Kern and
Moses Whitmire, Witnessed by q
party in Washington City. Ninety.
six thousand dollars Of this money
was paid to some Of our most
prominent Cherokee citizens, ia
sums OF from $4,000 down to 9
few hundred, Kern getting $50, 900
A representative Of TIE INDIAS
CHIEFTAIS interviewed many o
the witnesses by which these fact
were proven before the grand jury
before their appearance as wit
nesses, and these statements are
believed TO be absolutely correct
and we challenge Mr.. Kern, or th'
chief Of the Cherokee nation, o
Mr.. Hastings, or any one else, Il
disprove them.
THE GRAND JURY's REPORT.
Hon. VIM. M. Springer,