The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1900-09-10
OJf WttMI WASHINGTON LETTER
STORY OF WHY TAMS BIXBY PRE-
SENTED his RESIGNATION.
Mr.. Abbott. Clerk TO the Commission,
ane Mr.. Bixby, Could Not Pleasantly
Sail In the Same Boat-It Was
Case where One Had to Quit.

oft of Ohio, clerk to the commission
to the FIVE civilized tribes, at Musko-
gee, Indian Territory, has been re-
moved from Office" Such was the
apparently and ordinary announce
ment made at the interior depart
ment the other day, but back of his
removal is an interesting story, which |
explains the action of Taps Bixby,
a member to the commission to the |
five civilized tribes ia rendering his
resignation to the secretary of the
interior. which resignation was later
withdrawn.
In the spring of 1899, John @. Abb
oft was appointed to clerkship un-
der the Dawes commission on the
recommendations of Senator Hanna,
chairman of the republican national
committee, and Representative Chas.
Dick, secretary of the republican
national committee. 1t is stated that
Mr.. Abott had assurances during the
memorable senatorial contest at Co
lumbus at the time Senator Hanna
was elected to fill the unexpired term
of Mr.. Sherman, that he would be
provided with a lucrative and impor-
tant federal Office under the admin
istration. Later on, it was discovered
that all of the desirable positions
had already been disposed of, and
clerkship to the Dawes commission
| xyoo AnolIx, 0forod Mr. Ahoff uhO
promptly accepted the place and re-
ported for duty. Being the appointee
of Senator Hanna and Representa-
tive Dick, Mr.. Abbott was loath to
accept orders from the members of
the Dawes commission, whose back
ing was not nearly so influential as
his own. His open announcement
of this caused the members of the
Dawes commission to go out Of their
way at times to conciliette Mr.. Abott
and in this Way things worked
smootniy sor about year after his
sppolntment. Six months ago, how
ever, the relations between Mr.. Abb
oft, clerk, and Mr.. Tams Bixby,
member of the commission, became
somewhat strained. Mr.. Rixby was
in immediate charge of the prepara-
tions of the tribal rolls, and it is said
that in many cases Mr.. Abott diff.
fered with him and publicly criticised
1 his decisions, asserting that they
e were not based upon law or equity.
p Mr.. Bixby resented this and inform.
, ed Mr.. Abott that his conduct was
unjustifiable, and that if 1t was con-
tinued he would recommend his re-
moval. At this Abott took violent
offense and declared that it was moi
e within the power of Mr.. Bixby ol
the interior department to remove
O him from his place with the commits
! sion; that he held his commission
virtually from the president of the
United States, ,throughSenator Hanns
q and Maj. Dick, and that even If Mr.
2 Bixby urged Secretary Hitchcock tC
v remove him, it would have no effect
Notwithstanding this offense Mr.
Bixby did not report the case to tn,
! department here in the hope tina
Abott would realize his position ant
relent. The lenlency of the membe
e of the Dawes commission seemed Il
e provoke Abott to further effronterie
g and his abuse of Mr.. Bixby becam,
more violent than ever. Finally, a.
a last resort, Mr.. Bixby sent state
ment of the case to the department
e with recommendation that Abot
J. be summarily removed. The viii,
clerk to the commission had, in thu
meantime, however, written to Sen
n ator Hanna and Maj. Dick, to hav'
them intercede in his behalf With
out full knowledge of the situation
, they wrote strong letters to Secre
1 tary Hitchcock urging Abbott's re
L tention, resulting in the return o
v the papers to Mr.. Bixby with a no
tice that it was desired by the de
partment that Mr.. Abbott should b,
retained. By this time the bite
}. personal feeling between the tw'
d men had become so intense that Mr.
@ Bixby determined to resign, and for
warded his resignation to the secre
tary of the interior. On the receip
n of the resignation here, Secrctar.
Hitchcock sent for Mr.. Bixby ant
urged him to reconsider his determi
y nation. Mr.. Bi3by made a franl
It statement of the case to the Secre
il tary, telling him that the situation
4 had become so intolerable that eithe
g he or Mr.. Abbott must resign, an,
that, as the secretary had refused t.
remove the clerk, he, as a membe
, of the commission, could not, wit
e self respect, continue to serve in hi
N position.
= Secretary Hitchcock agreed wit
!" Mr.. Bixby, and assured him If
was case OF either leaving the sery
ice the clerk Of the commission shoul
= go. Accordingly, Mr.. Bixby re
st turned to his office at Muskogee
J. while the same mail carried with i
IS letter notifying Abott that his ser
vices were no longer needed.
Mr.. ABBOTT, who is now in the city
70 asserts that the case Ia not vot NON