Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1900-01-25
UTAH P0yTMASTERS.
The Investigation Of Certain Fed
eral Appointments in Utah.
SITUATION IN INDIAN TERRITORY.


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Water supplies Bill.
Washington, Jan. 20.-The investi-
CATION as to the alleged polygamous
status of certain federal appointees
in Utah was resumed by the house
committee on post offices and post
roads. Mr. Grosyenor made a fiat de-
NAL of the statement made by Mr..
Lentz as to the use of the words, "We
have not let the grass grow under our
feet" in reference to his charges. He
said his statement to Mr.. Lentz was
in substance that the investigation
would fail, there was nothing in the
charges and that he had taken steps
to learn the facts at the time of de-
nying them on the floor of the house.
Postniaste General Smith detailed
the circumstances as far as they had
come to his knowledge, although the
two appointments under considera-
ton were made prior to his admin
istration. He had found, however,
that attention had not been directed
to any charges prior to the appoint
ment, although subsequently papers
which had been submitted were
brought to the attention of the
higher officials. One of these was a
letter from n. L. Clemenson, pastor
of the Presbyterian church of Logan,
Utah, addressed personal to the
president" stating that "Mr. Smith,
the postmaster at Logan, is high
ecclesiasiic of the Mormon church,
living in polygamus status" There
was also petition received. Mr..
Smith presented a letter from Mr..
Porter, secretary to the president,
dated yesterday, saying: "rhere is in
this Office no record of receipt of any
letters, petitions or protests con
corning the appointment of John
Graham as postmaster at Provo City,
Utah. A letter addressed to the
president, under date of Logan, Cache
county, Utah, November go, 1897, by
IN. T.. Clemenson, pastor Presbyterian
church." was referred to your de-
partment and an acknowledgment
from this office was made to the wr-
ter on November q, 1897. Subse-
quently petition dated Logan, Utah,
December G. 1891 signed az. W. Mel
son, John NJ Boyle, William Braug-
ham and others" relating to the same
subject was received and acknow-
edged December 81, 1897 This petit
ton was referred to the post Office
department on December q, 1891"
Mr. Bristow. assistant postmaster
general, asserted that he made M
Il brief relative to the presidential
appointments to misunderstanding
and. when these Utah eases were
bricfed, he had no knowledge of any
polygamous charges against the par
ties. The Clemenson letter at that
time had not come to his attention
nor did il get before the postmaster
general, as the clerks who handled ii
did not so brief il as to call special
attention TO il. The hearing went
over until Tuesday, when Mr.. Bristow
will be heard further,
Situation In the Indian Territory.
Washington, Jan. 20.--The situa.
ton existing in the Indian territory
is acute. The Indians are unable to
secure possession of their allotments
owing to the resistance of the whites,
who now hold occupancy of the lands.
During the past few days hundreds of
the Indians have visited the headquar
tiers of the Dawes commission at Mus
cogee to protest against the bad faith
of the United States government, as
they assert, in failing to put them in
Possession " ',e'r a',o'meh's' as II
"os Pro''''seu snouio ne dohe IN the
agreements which they made with the
pawes COMMISSION Some OF them
nave p'eaueo 'earin'ly Tor their
rign's, WINE DINERS nave threatened
r
Mr" Neeuies' OF me Dawes commits
son. wr'nhg TO washington friends
concerning the CONDITIONS existing in