The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-09-06
mbe of the Dawes Commission
with Corporate Interests.
WAR ON SECRETARY HITCHCOCK
okLAHO;:A PEOPLE WANT A FUND
OF 100000 DIsBURsED.
Say the Money Should Be Expended
I'm Public improvements, as d.
rected by Congress.
'p.ei.l to tn. rndianspoIl. Journal.

WASHINGTON, Sept. 6-Great interest
is manifested by administration leaders in
the Investigation of Southwestern Indian
Affairs ordered by Mr.. Hitchcock, secretary
OF the interior. There IS q strong belief that
this latest scandal will prove more serious
than was anticipated at the outset. Persons
who have Travelled IN Indian Territory as
sert that conditions there are deplorable,
and that 1t Is time the government adopted
drastic measures to bring order out Of chaos,
and substituted business methods for lax
administration. So far nothing of a crimi-
nal nature has been urged against any fed
era! officer. Official improperly IN Identify
Ing themselves with corporate interests hav-
Ing direct or indirect business relations
with the Indian tribes is the charge brought
against members Of the Dawes commission.
The movement in Oklahoma was directed
against Secretary Hitchcock. 1t was alleged
That ne withheld moneys derived from the
sale OF public lands, and which is intended
Tor various municipal improvements in the
Territory. The fund aggregates about $780,
w. The statement was publicly made that
TINS money, instead of being deposited In
the st. Louis subtreasury, had been mt I'm
n private banking institution, with which
Mr. Hitchcock was connected, and that he
refused 10 give any explanation of his fail
IRE 20 dIsourse 1t in accordance with the d.
~rections OF Congress. Secretary Hitchcock
demonstrated that there was no truth I'm
these charges. This phase of the scandal is
or the past But out OF 1t there threatens to
grow an issue which may embarras the sec
rotary and result in a radical change In the
accounting methods of the great department
over which he presides.
In the public mind, judging from numer-
Gus letters received in Washington. the two
scandals developed in Indian Territory and
Oklahoma are confused. Neither has any
relation to the other. The agitation in Indian
Territory Is based on the charge of the In
Ar0n DfUhHn
ofan HIghis Association that every member
OF the Dawes commission and several at
taches or the federal body are connected
with a concern organized to exploit the re-
sources of that rich and fertile country. j.
George Wright, the department inspector.
VINO, for years. has practically filled the DO
sition of Governor Of the Territory, is also
involved.
THE OKLAHOMA DISCLOSURES.
The disclosures in Oklahoma relate to a
fund created by the sale of public lands to
homesteaders. Through treaties with the
Indians and by direct purchase the govern
ment acquired a tract of desirable agri-
cultural land in Oklohoma. Two years ago
this land was divided into three town sites.
sold to settlers, and the money so acquired
was covered into a fund which Congress d.
rected should be expended in making public
improvements. For some reason Secretary
li1tchcock refuses TO disburse this money
as rapidly as the people of Oklahoma de-
size, and a few weeks ago the report was
circulated that IL had been placed i'm a ma
uonal bank and withheld, the intimation
Dting given that some one was using il for
private purposes. AS above stated. Secretary
Hitchcock has satisfactorily accounted for
the deposit. but has not explained the delay
IN expanding the money as provided by
Congress. On this point the Oklahoma peo-
pie are still seeking light.
More interest attaches tc the inquiry into
the administration of the Dawes commits
sion than To the investigation of charges
preferred against its members. The Dawes
commission was created in 1893 to negotiate
treaties with the tribes of Indian Territory,
but without congressional or executive au-
thorty. the commission enlarged it's func-
tons. and Is now administering the affairs
or the Indians. In perpetuating itself the
commission has been guided by a master
hand. Charges of extravaganza have been
made against the commission from time to
time. and efforts have often been made To
curtafl its importance. A few years ago
Secretary Hitchcock prepared a letter rec
ommending the adjustment OF the commits
sion. and suggesting that its work be
placed directly in the hands of the Interior
Department. For some reason that COM
munication was never submitted to Con-
g~eSs- Inc Dawes commission is frequently
referred TO as a retreat for disappointed and
retired statesmen. Henry l.. Dawes, of
Massachusetts. was the first chairman of
the commission which bears his name. He
held the place for many years, but for a
long time did no active service. living =
New England and drawing a salary of 5000
q year. The present members OF the COM
mission were formerly active in politics.
Tams Bixby is the genius of the commits
sion as at present organized. He is well
known IN the Northwest. and in Minnesota,
where he makes his home, he is recognized
as one of the most skillful of political man.
ipulators- I. b. Needles, of Illinois, and c.
r. Breckenridge, of Arkansas, are ex-con-
gressmen. The latter also served as minis
ter TO Russia. Ex-Governor w. r. Stanley.
of Kansas, was a candidate for the Senate
a year or so ago. le was defeated, but was
tomforted by the berth he now holds in
indian Territory. II is limited that certain
members OF the House Indian committee
viii insist upon a thorough Investigation of
the commission at the next session of Con-
gr=ss-
SHARP CONTROVERSY.
A good deal of excitement was created in
the Interior Department when the charge
was openly made that Secretary Hitchcock
had placed public moneys in a st. Louis
bank. instead of depositing them i'm the
United States subtreasury. But the excite
ment In the Interior Department did not
equal that in the treasury. The first intira-
ton that the accounting officers of the
treasury received of the existence of the
Oklahoma public and fund came i'm the
form of "A public interview with Secretary
Hitchcock. The treasury books were care
fully examined. but il took the United States
treasurer three days to find any record of
the money IL the st. Louis subtreasury.
Ih:s did not satisfy the treasury auditor,
the man who has charge of all accounts of
TIE Interior Department. He wanted to
k.ow VIII: Secretary Hitchcock failed to
account Tor the public fund created by tho
sale OF lands within the public domain. The
SECRETARY contsndcd that he was :he trustee
OF the fund. and that the law did not re-
Nilire him TO make an accounting. On this
point the auditor takes sharp ISSUE He cites
the United States statutes and numerous
decisions OF the controller OF the treasury.
IN support or mis- contention. The land dis
posed or IN oklahoma was public land, and
tie proceeds derived from the sales We're
pGoDc money, says the auditor. The secre-
tary. Ia dlsposing of the lands. was In the
TIE law imposed upon him all the checks
and obligations TO which such an official
rust subscribe. This phase OF the problem
u one Oh great Importance. as IL involves
ire question whether an officer of the gov
efnmcnt has the authority To- receive and
disourse public money without audit by the
properly constituted officials. Ii develops
on inquiry, that Secretary Hitchcock has
taken 2 very peculiar position as to his re-
sponsibility for public funds, and, as a re-
suis. has had frequent clashes with the
t"wnsitc fund in Oklahoma. under the pres
cat circumstance. there is absolutely no
check on him. The money is subject TO
withdrawal on his cheek, and is not audited
as Is customary with all accounts I'm other
departments. This ~ a condition OF affairs
treasury officials say thar should not be
PERMITTED in any department of the govern
nient. They denouacc IL as bad administra-
tion, ard say that such authority vested
IN dishonest and itn3cruDui0Iis men would
cDca the door 10 corruption and fraud.
W,isthc- this controversy Is a personal one
bet ~te1 tlc head OF the Interior Depart
r1uf - -. ora<KarG4n- Gr1.r - H.