The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-11-29
Pete Foley Says He Got the
Place For Burton.
Claims Congressman Curtis Was
Not in the Deal.
SOME SIDE LIGHTS
Says There Was No Politics In
the Move.
Some Chuckling Is Due After
This Is Read.

P. T. Foley, of Parsons, the well
known southern Kansas and Indian
Territory Republican politician. was in
the city yesterday. leaving last night
on business among his Indian friends
in the Chickasaw country.
While some of the friends Of Charlie
Curtis have been claiming the credit
for Mr.. Curtis. in the elimination OF
the deal by which Mr.. Burton IS TO get
a IS, 600 job as attorney for the Indians.
Mr.. Foley says Mr. Curtis had nothing
to do with the arrangement
Mr.. Curtis did not even write to
Governor Johnson of the Chickasaw
nation concerning this business" said
Mr.. Foley to a Journal reporter. The
whole matter had been shaped up and
all the papers were signed three weeks
before the matter was published con-
corning the plan" continued Mr.. Fo-
ley. THE Indian congress or legisla-
ture passed bill giving Mr. Burton
this position. The papers go to the in
spector at MuscOgee and from his
hands to the president for final sigma
ture. The matter was arranged by the
Indian representatives and natter
myself that 1 had something to do with
getting Burton the place"
Mr. Foley thinks the politicians who
are making an effort to hold up the ap-
pointment of Burton have their ham
mers out for the state of Kansas
There are places down there which
are held by people from Texas and Ar
just as we'll get into the swim
L have something else to say on this
subject" continued Mr.. Foley. taking
a moment for reflection. 1t has been
charged that the comforting of this
place on Burton is a political deal. This
1 deny. There was no thought of poll
tics in it. 1t was a business PROPOSE
ton. The Indians have always had an
attorney and viii always have one. For
several years the ChiCka saws have had
two men representing them. EX-Con-
Of III hoo
the attorney at home; Gen. Payne rep
resenting the Indians at Washington.
Peel is a Democrat Burton a Repub-
ican and a man with prestige at
Washington succeeds Peel. Mr.. Burton
is in line with the national administra-
ton and can do the Indians more good
than one at variance with the views
of the national administration Then
too, Burton is Kansas man and it
seems to me the Republican politicians
ought to commend the movement OF
getting him into the service of the In
dams because one man can help anoth-
er and in this way there viii be plenty
of places for the Kansas Republicans
to fill. Were Mr.. Burton or some man
in close touch with the Indians made
United States senator the marshals.
court commissioners and clerks Of the
courts and many other places would
be open to the Kansas people. Now the
Texans and Arkansas people come up
to the Territory and get all the good
places.
THE original plan Of this arrange
ment was to have T y. Sedgwick OF
Parsons take the attorneyship At the
last moment and when the ChickasaW
legislature had been in session a week.
Mr.. Sedgwick found that his own work
with the railroad was too heavy to per-
init him to assume any additional du-
ties. He gave up the place ] thought
of Mr.. Burton who has always been my
friend. Being in close touch with the
Indians I recommended him and he
was elected. That is the story of Bur
tons appointment. There is no poll
ties in it. I 90 considera BILE business
in that country. In this position M
Burton can help me and 1 can help
him
4 have been surprised at the action
of the politicians OF course / would
like to see Burton made United States
senator but that proposition had moth
ing whatever to do with his getting a
place. It was never thought of or men
toned between US"