New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-08-25
GET JAILBIRDS TO VOTE.
INDI4N LAND scandal.
Forms of Graft to Which Redskins
44re Said To Be Victims.
L. TELEGRAPH 10 THE TRIBUNE.l


Washington Aug. 24-The special commits
siocer to be sent by the President to investigate
the Indian Territory land scandals will find fur
Their material on which TO base the inquiry.
Charges were filed to-day with the Department
Of Justice against United States Marshal Ben
jamin H. Colbert by Finis Fox. editor of a
daily newspaper at Ardmore, Ind. T.
Fox accuses Colbert of using his influence TO
further his own and his friends political pur-
poses: that he has taken prisoners from the
jails in order TO vote them; that he has COM
PEELED Indians to vote at his dictation. under
threats of Imprisonment, and that he has in
numerous other ways violated his oath of Of
fee.
Colbert is accused of reappointins as deputy
marshal Chickasaw Indian named Ben" Col
Inns, who had been removed efrom that position
for misconduct in office. Collins is said to have
expressed pleasure at the news that President
Mckinley had been shot. and TO have hoped
that he would die. so that Colbert could get
job. An affidavit to this effect is said to have
been on file at the Office of the Attorney General
at the time of Colbert's appointment
He (Cobert) is director of an Indian land
company" continued Mr.. Fox. whose head
quarters are at Tishomingo. the capital Of the
Chickasaw Nation 1 have been reliably in
formed that for his prestige and influence the
stock which he has in said company given
q
of attorney from Indian convicts to use in this
company. which is engaged in some shady
deals in parting the Indian from his property.
This company, winch is known as the Tribal
Development Company is engaged in the bust
ness Of alotting and leasing Indian lands. They
evidently have a pull with the officials of the
Chckasaw Lars Office. they experience none
of the difficulties in having land allotted to their
Indians, as other Indians do
The Tribal Development Company, OF Tisho-
| nlingo, of which Colbert is charged with being
a director. is the same concern of which United
| States Attorney P. L. Soper and Governor
Mosely Of the Chickasaw Nation are directors
| 1t will also be remembered that in the case Of
| Guy P. Cobb, former United States revenue in
| spector. Secretary Hitchcock promptly informed
| Cobb when he became a director Of this COM
| pany that he must resign from his official po-
sit1on. This he did.
| Thus far only the statement Of Mr.. Fox filed
| to-day with the Attorney General. supports the
| allegation that Colbert is associated with the
Tribal Development Company. Nevertheless.
! that THE association. if it exists. calls for
| prompt action is believed to be shown by the
| decision of Secretary Hitchcock in the case Of
| Cobb
| 1t is believed here that the ramihcations OF
| the Indian scandal make 1t even more evident
| than heretofore that the head of single
| department can conduct the coming investiga-
! ton, because the charges Of irregularities in
| volve subordinates of the Secretary Of the In
! terror, of the Department of Justice and of the
| President in the persons of the members Of the
Dawes Commission.
| 1t is recalled that on March 1. 1888. in de-
| bate a bill providing for the compulsory edu-
| cation Of Indian children. Senator Preston B.
| Plumb, Of Kansas, said:
| The trouble comes when the white gets
| hold Of him (the indiana; when he applies to
him the procrustean bed Of civilization, stretch
| ing him out if too short, and making him
| shorter if he Is too long"
! In the opinion Of prominent government off,
| Gals the white has obtained hold Of the
| five civilized nations through the manipulationS
| of Indian Territory land and investment COM
panies, and through the betrayal OF their trusts
| by those appointed to protect the wards Of the
| nation" II is feared. therefore. that serious
| trouble will ensue for those officials on whom
| will devolve the de- Of unravelling the snarls
| which these companies have produced.