The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-08-29
SCANDAL ABOUT
indian LANDS
Chairman Of Dawes Commls.
sion Appeals to Hitchcock.
WILL PROTECT The OFFICIALS
Senator Stewart May 20 Accompanied BY
Senator Quay on HIs Tour Of
Investigation
WILL PROTECT The OFFICIALS

Washing ton, Aug. 29.-An unexpected
turn was given the Indian land scandal
this morning. From Muskogee, 1 T..
Tams Bixby. chairman OF the Dawes
commission. and T. b. Needles. one OF
retary Hitchcock:
widespread and continued newspaper
criticism OF a most serious character,
involving the integrity OF our work and
our fidelity to duty. impels US TO request
that an immediate and searching in
vestigation be instituted and that the
president be informed OF this desire.
"A work unparalleled in the history OF
civilization. the result OF years of un-
|remitting toll, fs threatened by fanati-
cal reports and questionable journalism
We urge that there be assigned 10 the
work of investigation one whose reputa-
tion for honesty. ability and fearlessness
is we'll established. and whose findings
will be universally accepted"
Secretary Hitchcock replied that the
request for an investigation had been
Participated. and that arrangements are
lin progress, which will be coasummated
with the least possb BILE delay" II Is plan
ned to have the investigation made by
eome one In private life, so as to re-
move II entirely from any suspicion OF
official bias Secretary Hitchcock IL in
correspondence with a man who be be-
ewes TO suit, but the man is inclined
10 refuse, as he has not the time 10
spare.
WILL PROTECT OFFICIALS
The secretarys instructions 10 this
agent when secured. is aAlthoritatively
stated will be. 10 go into the phases OF
The question without fovortism on the one
hand or fear OF public clamor on the
bther. He takes the position that while
is necessary and right TO protect the
indians, IL is neither necessary nor right
10 puEish innocent officials.
In this spirit until very recently he
has refrained from any special inquiry
nto the charges made against the mem
bers OF the Dawes commission Two OF
hem were absent from Indian Territory
n their annual leave when charges
we're made by the Indian Rights associa-
ion and they were allowed 10 remain
way for time. They now, however,
ave been recalled TO their posts for the
purpose of meeting the criticisms pub
ished against them. The secretary also
peaks of Indian Inspector Wright, who
as been placed In special authority IN
he territory. as man who has been
rusted employee of the government for
he last 20 years; but he, like all others.
he inquiry.
The secretary realizes that while there
nav be shortcomings on the part OF some
Z the government officials. there are.
n the other hand, many men not en-
loyed by the government who have
rievances against these same officials
nd are disposed TO make all the trouble
or them they can. These men he desig-
ates as "grafters," and the feeling In
be Aar RI 10 official
nav oppose their designs is certain TO be
1ade the subject OF the harshest censure
them The secretary announces his de-
srmination TO protect officials who are
Ding their duty against the schemes OF
such people.
Several officials who already have been
elected in questionable transactions
ave been summarily dismissed while the
eslgnations OF others have been request
The secretary takes the position. that
does not promote the public interest TO
lbIish the names OF dismissed officials
STEWART TO PROBE SCANDAL.
At about the time the message was re-
Pived from the commissioners, Senator
tewart chairman OF the senate commit
on Indian affairs, announced his in
ntion to go to the Indian territory and
AXE an investigation on his own account
q has been trr correspondence with SEN
or Quay, and believes the Pennsylva-
senator will go with him.
Secretary Hitchcock made tour OF the
rritory In May In one case he found
at clerks I'm the office OF an Indian
rent had taken on themselves the re-
onsibility for denying hearing TO their
tionai attorney, who represented 1900
dans. The secretary Immediately de-
unced this transaction as an abuse OF
ftcial authority and provided for the
equate punishment OF the persons en-
ged I'm II.
rhe secretary discovered that a number
office holders, many OF them outside
own department. were stockholders
q officers In combinations formed to
ntrol the disposal Of the Indians lands
Il he Immediately made known his dis
provai Of this system. Former Revenue
Hector Cobb. on finding an opportunity
secure an interest in n combination OF
character. wrote 10 the department
asked for an opinion as tn the pro-
ETY. OF his accepting such an interest
was told that the department did not
1sider membership In one OF these com.
MES. with the holding Of government
'ition. and Mr.. Cobb promptly resign
his official place 10 enter on a bust
's career