The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-01-10
POLLOCK TO GO.
New Agent For the Osages to
Be Appointed.
Secretary Hitchcock's Decision
Is Given Out.
PROBABLE SUCCESSOR.
O. A. Miteher, an Attorney of
Oklahoma City,
Has the Backing of Flynn, Fora
ker and Hanna.

Washington, Jan 1O.-A new Indian
agent is to be appointed for the Usage
Nation, in Oklahoma Territory. Such
is the decision of Secretary Hitchcock,
of the interior department. Agent Pol
lock is to be removed, or allowed to re-
sign. and unless the present plans are
upset, 0. A. Mitcher, an attorney of
Oklahoma City, will be appointed as
his successor. This, however, has not
been definitely decided upon. as there is
a demand from certain quarters which
exercise great influence for the ap-
pointment of an officer of the regular
army. AIitcher is by far the strongest
civilian candidate, being Endorsed Dy
the entire Wisconsin delegat ton, a large
majority OF the members of congress
from Ohio, including Senator Foraker.
Delegate Flynn of Oklahoma, as Well
as a large number of the business men
of Oklahoma Territory. In addition he
has the tacit Endorsement OF senator
Hanna He is also the choice of Com
missioner of Indian Affairs Jones In
view of his extensive and influential
backing his appointment seems TO be
almost certain unless II should be de-
cided that an officer of the regular
army would render the department bet
ter service than a civilian in this posi-
ton which. it is admitted requires rug
ged integrity, strict discipline mixed
with diplomacy.
Three months ago charges were filed
against Agent Pollock. It was asserted
that he was subOrdinating the inter-
ests of the Indians on the reservation
to those Of the cattlemen who were il
legally pasturing nearly 400. 600 head of
stock on the reserya ton without auth
Ority of law and without compromising
the Indians to the extent Of 81 therefor
It was also asserted that large pastures
on the reservation had been fenced in
by the cattlemen with the full knowl-
edge of the agent, and were being used
by the cattlemen as virtually their own
property Other charges Of a more ser
iOus nature. involving bribery. were al
SO preferred against the agent. About
the same time Agent Pollock sent a
recommendation to the Indian Office
for the abolition Of the Office of chief
of police of the Usage Nation, which
was held by Ransom Payne, who had
caused the cattlemen some annoyance
The recommendation was promptly act
ed upon by the department. before a
full knowledge of the condition exist
ing reached here, and Ransom Payne
was relived from further duty.
As soon as this occurred Payne came
to Washington and laid before the Off
cials a full statement of affairs in the
Usage Nation. Thereupon Special
Agent Pray. of the Indian service. was
dispatched TO the Usage Nation to make
an investigation Later on Special
Agent Seyeley was also ordered to join
Pray A thorough investigation was
made and a report sustaining many Of
the charges against Pollock was sub
mitted to the secretary of the interior.
About this time suits were instituted
against cattlemen having herds in the
nation to the extent of PSI 600 head The
revised statutes provide a penalty of
81 per head on cattle for criminal tres
pass on Indian reservations, and the
suits instituted sought to collect this
sum from the owners of the herds
Secretary Hitchcock having already
-,
which charges are trumped up in Okla
homa Territory against officials. pro-
ceeded slowly He personally went over
all the charges, affidavits and special
agents reports, and then, after a con-
suItation with Commissioner of Indian
Affair Jones. decided that a change
in the agent would greatly improve az
fairs in the nation. It is expected that
the nomination of a successor to Agent
Pollock viii go to the senate within a
few days. at least as soon as q man
can be agreed upon
Strong pressure is being brought to
bear on the secretary Of the interior
and the president to secure the approx
al by the latter of the bills passed at
the recent meetings of the councils of
the ChOctaW and Cherokee Nations
providing for the employment Of at
tOrneys to represent the tribes here in
Washington Judge Springer, who Sc
cured the passage Of a bill through the
Cherokee council employing him as the
attorney for the tribe at a salary of
5000 per annum, has been in Washing
ton importuning the president to ap-
prove the council action Mr. McAur-
ray, of the firm OF Mansfield. McMur-
ray & Cornish. attorneys. of South Nc
Alester, L T. is also here on a similar
mission for the ChOctaw Nation. The
policy of the interior department is.
however. against such action. Recently
an application submitted by J r Bur
ton of Kansas. for the approval of
similar contract with the Chickasaw
Nation, was rejected by the president
Notwithstanding the fact that powerful
influence was brought to bear on him
for favorable action MI Burton's case
was, If anything. a stronger case than
either of those now presented, and il is
therefore most improbable that the de-
partment or the president viii go con-
trary to the precedent established in
the Burton case Judging from the pug
nacity with which Judge Springer and
McMurray are now prosecuting their
cases it would seem as though an at
torneyship for one of these tribes was
Yeritably "A good thing"