The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-10-03
THE !. !. .
COMMISSION
Secretary Aylesworth Addresses a
I Letter to Bishop Walker {
Of New x ork.
I y -. :
Asks Him Not to Prejudice Case
Against Members Of the Dawes
49, Commission. y, =. .

Muskogee, T. T., Oct. 8.-Allison Ayles-
worth, secretary Of the Dawes commits
sion in the Indian Territory, in a, commu-
nication to: Bishop Walker sof- New York,
asks that Judgment be deferred as to
wrongs alleged to- have been committed
against the Indians by his superiors until
an examination: is made into the facts.
The commune grows out of the re-
cent interview with Bishop Walker, In
which he lis reported as having lamented
the fact, that the name OF the late SEN
ator Dawes should be associated with
those who have COMMITTED these ter
riblei wrongs j.. 49, &s:!.zs-- ~ .-.:~-'
; In part the letter follows: =, :. !, r
:Muskogee, I T., Oct /, 1eo3-The Right Rev.
W.ID. Walker, Protestant Episcopal Bishop,
western New York, Rochester, n. Y,-Dear Sir:
The attached clipping is from the Kansas City
serve, you are quoted as having stated, among
other things, ,"These frauds In the Indian Terri
tory are paralleled in New York state etc
And, with reference to the late Senator Dawes
that he was: an honest, upright and just man
If he had lived these, terrible wrongs would
never have been possible. It is unfortunate that
his name should be connected with the men who
have committed 2them.'','rc ~ .ri-;.r ~.
give you my most solemn assurance thai
upon this commission are, men whose characters
are not less lofty than that OF the late Senator
Dawes with whom a wrong against those whose
interests they had been intrusted to serve II
impossible, and who,T in the discharge of duties
enjoned upon them by law, have been eminently
more successful than was Senator Dawes
say this with the intimate knowledge OF wha
I am speaking. I say it with due reverence,
for. the memory OF the dead, but: with q conyic
| tion that a duty Is due to the living as we'll
| As secretary Of this commission for period O.
| six years, covering practically all Of Its work
have had an opportunity to familiarize mysel
with the characters of the men connected wifi
| 1t and with the work which 1T has In hand
| When remember that the members Of this con,
mission have given their best energies for ST.
| years to the transformation of conditions in tn
Indian territory, when l. recall the many wear
| days-yes, and nights which they have patient
| ", tactfully and ~intelugently- devoted to tn
| working out Of problems presented in this wor
and in, administering to the welfare of the ig
| norant and poor among, these people; how the
/ have endured priyations and suffered hardship
! unparalleled in, departmental services, only t
I be made the subject Of venomous attacks b
! those who should unite in awarding credit
| am shocked beyond expression. - :: &.5.sz
| + have felt impelled to submit Statement
OF the facts in this case to you,, hoping tina
you may at least do these men the Justice t
defer judgment until an Investigation is hat
conceive Of no Justification for condemning me
for the commission: Of frauds in advance Of a
inquiry as to whether such frauds exist I hay
not attempted to cover any details. They al
not essential to an understanding Of the NAL
propositions which wish to lay before you
I With assurance of my high regard for tb
4 organization which you represent, and my dee
reverence for that faith, to- the upbuildfnp {
which. you are ,devoting your life, believe m,
very respectfully,
=. Allison AylesWorth.