The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1900-11-20
Special to the Ardmoreite.

H.
of Oklahoma will be renewed. This
time, however, it will be shifted from
the White House and the executive
depart ments to the Senate of
the United States. This is upon the
assumption that the governor intends
to retain his present place and will
not voluntarily tender his resigna-
ton.
Before congress adjourned last
winter affairs had reached an acute
stage. A resolution had been intro
duced and passed in the senate
directing the Secretary of the Inter
ior to furnish the senate, without
delay, copies of all charges against
the governor which had been flied
with the department, together with
all afIidavits submitted in corrobora-
ton of the charges as well as the de-
cision Of the Assistant Attorney
General for the department of inter-
ior, Willis j. Vandeventer in the
case. The Information called for by
this resolution will cover several
hundred sheets of typewriting. The
majority of it was filed about the
time Mr.. Barnes was appointed gov
ernor of Oklahoma. 1t relates large
ly to his record while receiver of the
Guthrie land Office. Since that time
however, additional charges reflect
ing seriously upon his administra-
tion of the Office of governor have
been filed. Notable among these
papers is the report Of the special
committee of the Oklahoma legisla-
ture which investigated the charges
brought against the governor rela-
ting to the improper use of the
funds derived from the leasing of
the school lands and the loaning of
the territorial funds to local banks
and pocketing the revenue derived
therefrom.
The report of the special commit
tee was approved by the legislature
and resulted 'in the indictment of
several of the territory officials con-
nected with the administration.
More than year ago the agitation
in favor of Governor Barnes was
renewed with vigor. A large dele
cation composed of the most promi-
nent citizens of the territory visited
Washington and practically demand
nd 0f tho o6p,inickrotioD tboG IT.
resignation should be called for and
successor appointed. That de-
mand resulted in the institution of a
special investigation by the Secre-
tsry of the Interior. The case was
referred to the Assistant Attorney
General for the department of the
interior with instructions to consid-
er the charges carefully and report
as to whether or not there was suf-
ficient grounds to justify summary
action on the part of the secretary.
The report of Mr.. Vandeventer, al
though never made public, was to
the effect that the case against Gov
ernor Barnes seemed to be sufh
ciently strong to justify his removal.
When this decision reached the
secretary of the interior, it is COM
monty reported that he suggested to
the president the advisibility of CIV
ing the people of Oklahoma new
executive officer. AS Gov. Barnes
term expires within a comparatively
short space of time, and as there
has been so much mud singing and vi
tuperation INDUCED in by both sides,
the president deemed it expedient TO
let the case rest until Gov. Barnes
term expired.
When this fact became known the
opposition to Gov. Barnes carried
their case to the United States SEN
ate. A resolution was Introduced
calling for copies of the charges,
affidavits and decisions in the case.
The object of this was to form
basis for an investigation by TIE sen.
ate of the United States. When
congress adjourned this information
had not been furnished the senate
by Secretary Hitchcock, and there
was an intimation that the difficulty |
might be solved by the resignation of |
Gov. Barnes. Senator Jones of Ar
kansas and Senator Harris of Kan
sas took an active part in the case |
and Immediately before the adjourn
ment of congress insisted that action
be taken Immediately.
In the event that Gov. Barnes does
not see fit to resign, Secretary Hitch
cock cannot we'll refrain longer from
the senate with the infor-
nation called for in the resolution.
in which event a senatorial investi-
CATION may be expected.
Those who are best informed upon
the subject believe that the governor
intends to let the flght against him
proceed. believing that the charges
have not yet been proven, and can
lot be, and relying upon his friends
n congress, particularly members
,f the delegation from Ohio. to as.
list him.
Unless unexpected developments
occur it is scarcely probable that the
governor will be removed, as his
erm Of office will expire within the
iext five months. One thing seems