The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1904-03-27
GOSSIP At THEC CAPITAL
Ex-Governor SANKEY'S Posi-
ton Set Forth
STORY OF RESIGNATION
End of Dawes Commission Is
in Sight

Senator Long presented the resignation of
Governor Stanley TO the president This
was done the early part Of this week, and
the president at once accepted it, with
the statement that there would be no ap-
pointment as successor TO Governor
Stanley.
There have been various statements in
papers unfriendly to Governor Stanley. as
well in papers which had nothing
against him, which reflected more or less
| upon the late Dawes commissioner. At
( least few of these statements made proper
/ representations of the facts in the case.
! By some il was said that Stanley was
not acceptable to other members of the
| commission; that they sent him to an i'm
possible place to do impossible work, and
Inundated him. BY other papers insidu-
| Gus references to the governors integrity
were made-not open accusations. but
yelled insinuations. Other statements at
tributed to Governor Stanley a desire to
return to Kansas that he might actively
participate in politics and punish a few
possible enemies. OF course as to this lat
ter motive no one but the governor is
| probably in a position to speak authorita-
lively. There were additional stories to
I lilt tlLtNt bii6l pO"tlo iieiN
made Stanley Dawes commissioner had
| practically taken the ground out from
under him, and had demanded his resigna-
! ton.
! 1t is not necessarily the purpose of this
! piece to set Governor right in a paper
! printed in his own city and circulated
among people ne has lived with and been
/ closely associated with for more than a
quarter of a century. But this writer
/ deems it not entirely improper to make
a few statements in connection with Gov
ernor Stanleys case which may at least
be of some interest: as well as contribute
mite to the general regard as to integri-
ty and honesty and efficiency in which the
man is held by those who know him we'll
In the month Of February, 1903 having
been unsuccessful in his ambition to be
elected United States senator from Kan
sas. Governor Stanley had returned to
Wichita, there to regain his law practice,
ard again give it his personal and undi-
vided attention. He had already put to-
gether sundry portions of it which had,
nhis four years absence in Topeka, be-
come separated. He was in fair way to
devote his time absolutely and success
fully to his profession, which at that time
he fully desired to do.
Early in the month Of February Gov
ernor Stanley went to Medicine Lodge to
take part in the trial of a murder case
which was occupying considerable atten-
ton through counties adjacent. Gov
ernor Stanley had been retained to argue
motion for change of venue in the
suit. not TO participate actively in the
trial of the case itself While he was in
Medicine Lodge he was communicated
with by Senator Long. and asked is he
would accept a place on the commission
to the five civilized tribes-better known
as the Dawes commission. This place
had been made vacant by the death Of
Former United States Senator Henry L.
Dawes of Massachusetts. author of the
law creating the commission. Governor
Stanley did not respond for a day or so
He was averse to accepting the place
He did not desire it, 1t would interfere
with his law practice and take him
great deal OF his time from his home
and from the state. But his friends in
Kansas. who We're active in politics. to-
sether with Senator Long. pressed accept /
ance upon him. and he finally took the po- |
sition. Senator Long in presenting the /
matter 10 the president had pointed out /
the character of man Stanley was; how /
he was an attorney. and versed in the |
trying points that were confronting the /
commission continually; and tW sue /
cesSful Governor Stanley had been as 1
chief executive Of Kansas in mana ging (
the charitable institutions. 1t was shown I
the president that he was just the kind Of /
man to deal with the wards Of the gov /
eminent in Indian Territory. The presi- /
dent said Stanley was the sort of official /
he desired When Stanley deliberated the |
president became anxious that he take It.
and Senator Long was urged TO secure &C
ceptance. II was a compliment to the
governor. Meanwhile South Dakota,
through an united congressional delega-
ton and certain New England influences.
headed by Senator Lodge. were trying to
secure the place. But il finally went to
Stanley.
Governor Stanley went to Muskogee.
where the executive work OF the Dawes
commission was done. He at first was
able to GET 10 Wichita occasionally. and TO
remain for several days at time In this
way he was able to give some attention 10
his law practice. But gradually the du-
tics became more onerous They required
more and more of the governors time.
he at length took charge Of the work at
in the Chickasaw nation.
He supervised the land Office ard allot-
mcut work for that nation. going TO Mus
kogee frequently 70 attend commission
meetings. BUT Wichita saw less and less
OF him and his law Office was fast getting
or without him.
The duties became irksome to Governor
Stanley. He did not like the place. and
he lonced for his Office and home He
urged the presentation Of his resignation
as long ago As last summer. Senator
Long desired him 20 remain in the place.
and the governor yielded as long as he
,orld
Meanwhile the stories Of differing and
loot III the territory became rife. Men
whose integrity had never been called
nto question. IS well as the professional
.'rrafters'' were attacked and accused
Newspapers in Kansas City with lax re-
gard for the truth and common deceucy I
printed pieces about all officials in Indian
Territory and loudly proclaimed that no
nan would have a place there unless he
lad a streak Of yellow IL him officials !
we're pounded and hammered uurerc4-
iuIly. Governor Stanley was accused OF
having become an officer in a trust com {
1any organized in Tishomingo- The
,hsrge concealed IN this was that by rea- :
ion of his Official position. he was profit :
ng in a financial way. OF course no r
honest man would resign under FIRE. and {
his IS Just what Stanley decided Tot %
10 So he asked that his resignation be :
Withheld until an investigation could De s
made. Charles J. Bonaparte. who had g